The district is named after its headquarters town Malkangiri .During formation of Orissa Province in 1936 Malkangiri was a "Taluk" of Nabrangpur sub-division of Koraput District of Orissa.In 1962 it was upgraded to a subdivision of Koraput District.The present Malkangiri got its identity as an independent district due to reorganisation of districts of Orissa as per notification on 1st October,1992 with effect from 2nd October 1992, an area of 5,791 sq.kms and lies between 17° 45'N to 18° 40'N latitudes and 81° 10'E to 82°E longitude.Oriya is the main spoken language.     

          The district is divided into two distinct physical divisions.The eastern part is covered with steep Ghats,Platues,Valleys sparsely inhabited by primitive tribes notable among whom are Bondas,Koyas,Porajas and Didayis.The rest of the district is comparatively flat plain broken by a number of rocky wooded hills.Almost the whole of the district is a vast dense jungle. Potteru,Saberi,Sileru,Kolab and Machhakunda are the main rivers flowing in the district.     

          The climate in the district is generally cold in the winter and hot in the summer with temperature ranging from 13°C to 47°C. The average annual rainfall is about 1700mm.Relative humadity is generally high especially in the monsoon and post-monsoon months. During the rainy season it becomes impassabaly swampy and heavy floods isolate it from the outer world.It lies within the malaria prone belt.     

          Major rock groups are Granite, Shale, Quartzite, Sandstone, Limestone, Khondalite, Charnockite, Slate, Phyllite and Marble. Dolomite, Asbestos, Tin and steatite are the important minerals of the district. The district is backward in irrigation in comparison with other districts due to its high hills and dense forests.The soil is poor for cultivation.A project at Balimela is the major Hydro Electric Project in the district. The district is noted for small scale industries(SSI) like Light Engineering and Food Processing.Agriculture is the main occupation of the people.Forestry,Fishing,Beedi and Snuff making are the other occupations of the inhabitants. This is one of the most backward districts of Orissa and deserves a special attention and proper palnning for an all out development.