Location:

          Malkangiri District came into existance with effect from 02nd of October'1992 after being bifurcated from the earstwhile Koraput District as per Notification No. 49137/R dated 01st of October'1992 of Government of Orissa in Revenue and Excise Department, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. Malkangiri District lies between 17° 45' N to 18° 40' N Latidudes and 81° 10' E to 82° 00' E Longitude and at a height of 641" (feet) form the sea level.

          Malkangiri District is bounded by Andhara Pradesh and Chattisgarh.

In the EAST Malkangiri is bounded by KORAPUT(a portion) of ORISSA, VISHAKAPATTANAM and EAST GODAVARI district of ANDHARA PRADESH.

In the WEST Malkangiri is bounded by BASTAR district of CHHATISGARH.

In the NORTH Malkangiri is bounded by KORAPUT district of ORISSA.

In the SOUTH Malkangiri is bounded by EAST GODAVARI and KHAMMAM district of ANDHARA PRADESH.

Area:

          This district is spread over an area of 5,791 sq. kms (As per Census of India-2001(Provisional)).

Maximum North-South Elongation is 137 kms.

Maximum East-West Elongation is 76 kms.

Soil:

          Black Soil occures mainly in Malkangiri District. Deep Black in colour, it contains a large percentage of organic matter. It is formed by the decomposition of forest grasses which grows very luxuriantly in the areas. Sandy and Clay type soil predominate the entire district. The soil is generally acidic in nature and alkaline in some patches. The salinity of the soil is normal. The percolated composition of it gives less binding capacity.

Vegetation:

          The district is possessing dense forest of dry deciduous type. 51.96% of the entire district is covered with forests. The major spceies are SAL, TEAK, PIASAL, SHISAU. Forest of this district yields Timber, Firewood and minor forest products like Tamarind, Hillbrooms, Kendu Leaves, Mahua Flower, Mahua Seeds (Thola), different types fibres, oilseeds and medical plants.

Drainage System:

          Malkangiri district possesses an undularing topography with a large number of hill streams. The entire rainwater is being drained through a number of small drains which ultimately drains to major rivers such as SABARI, SILLERU, POTTERU, KOLAB, MACHHKUNDA.

Minerals:

          The major minerals that are found throughout Malkangiri are Tin, Limestones, Black Granite, Asbestos, Micca, Kyanite, Soap Stones

Water Resources:

          The Major Irrigation Project is Potteru Irrigation Project (PIP) targets to provide irrigation facility to 61,034 Hecter. Canals are running throughout the district. Presently it provides water to 17, 279 Hecter. Minor Irrigation Project is Satiguda Irrigation Project Designed to provide irrigation to 9000 Hect. during Kharif and 5660 Hect. during Rabi. The other Minor Irrigation Projects leads to a total of 21 nos. These Minor Irrigation Projects to provide irrigation to 1442 Hect. during Kharif and 331 Hect. in Rabi. Lift Irrigation Points has been set up throught Malkangiri to provide better irrigation.68 nos. of Lift Irrigation Points are providing irrigation to 1960 Hect.

Hill System:

          The Chief hills of the Malkangiri District are those that hedge in the valley of the Machkunda throughout its sources. These usually stand about 1000 feet above the bed of the river. The plateau descends into the low-lying tracts of Malkangiri about about 900 feet high at their northen end and gradually falling away in a south-westerly direction to 150 feet high at Motu at the extreme south-western corner of the District. The highest point in the District is in the north-eastern corner, a few miles to the north of Duduma falls, at a height of 3,625. The rest of the District is a comparatively flat plain declining from an elivation of about 800 feet near Govindapalli in the north to under 400 feet in the extreme south. A number of rocky wooded hills break the monotony of the plain. A number of mountains and isolated hills such as the Tulasi at Mathili, the Shulia at Korukonda, the Chitrakuta at Chitrakonda, the Saptadhara at Govindapalli, the Vhima at Daniguda, the Danga at Tandiki, Deva Dangara or Goi at Malkangiri, the Akuru at Akuru and in the border the Golikonda at Bada Dural arise out of these tablelands.