Malkangiri is the southernmost district of
Orissa. It is spread over 6,115 sq km with a population of 480,000. The population comprises mostly of tribal and marginalized communities. Around 52% of the land is covered with forests.
Malkangiri is divided into two physical sections with the eastern part covered with steep ghats, plateaus, and valleys and the rest with flat plains broken by a number of rocky wooded hills. The climate is characterized by cold winters and extremely hot summers. The region receives an average rain fall of 1,700 mm.
Oriya is the widely spoken language.
Balimela Hydroelectric Project is located here. Minerals found in the region are tin, limestone, black granite, asbestos, mica and soap stones. Chitrakonda, Motu, Balimela, Manyamkonda and Satiguda are places of tourist importance.
