Ratnagiri is a district in the state of Maharashtra. The district headquarters are situated at Ratnagiri. The district is 11.33% urbanized. The Arabian Sea borders the district on the west, Sindhudurg on the south, Raigad on the north and Satara, Sangli and Kolahpur on the east. The district forms part of the Konkan division.

Ratnagiri is bordered by the Sahyadri mountains on the east. The coastal regions are highly eroded due to heavy rainfall. Rice, coconuts, cashewnuts and fruits are grown on the rich alluvial soils. Hapus mangoes are grown in abundance. Ratnagiri is important for fishing industries. Ratnagiri has been home to many great personalities, like Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was a well known social reformer, Bharat Ratna "Maharshi" Dhondo Keshav Karve, a social reformer and educationist; and Wrangler Raghunath Purushottam Paranjpe, a mathematician and educationist.

Ratnagiri finds mention in Amitav Ghoshs novel The Glass Palace. Also, the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project is located in Ratnagiri.

Ratnagiri History

The district lies in the Konkan region. The Mauryas, the Nalas, the Silaharas, the Chalukyas, the Kadambas, the Portuguese, the Marathas and subsequently the British have ruled over the place over the years. Sawantwadi was an independent Princely state until 1948 when it was merged with the Indian Union. Later on, it was merged with the Bombay Province in 1956 and it became a part of the district of Ratnagiri. On formation of Maharashtra in 1960, Ratnagiri became a district of the state. Sindhudurg was created when Ratnagiri was bifurcated in the year 1981. Ratnagiri has nine tehsils and eight towns. Ratna in Marathi means Jewel and giri means mountain. Hence, Ratnagiri means mountains of jewels. Figuratively, the place has produced jewels like Dr. Ambedkar,Lokmanya Tilak,V.D.Sawarkar,Baba Phatak, Sane Guruji, Hutatma Anant Kanhere and many more.

Ratnagiri Tourism

Places of worship: Ganapatipule, Velneshwar, Marleshwar, Hedvi, Hatis, Parshuram Chiplun, Rajapur

Tourist places in Ratnagiri 
Caves: Panhalekazi, Sangameshwar
Palace: Thibaw Palace [Ratnagiri]
Sea Shores: Kelshi, Murud, Guhaghar, Palshet, Ganpatipule, Velneshwar
Beaches: Mandovi [Gateway of Ratnagiri], Bhatye, Guhagar, Anjarla, Ganapatipule
Birth Places of eminent personalities: Ratnagiri, Malgund, Dapoli, Palgad
Forts: Bankot, Mandangad, Ambolgad, Jaigad, Ratnadurg, Mahipatgad
Sea Forts: Ratnadurg, Harne, Purnagad, Jaigad
Bird Sanctuaries: Vanadi valley, Anaskura Ghat
Exotic forests: Pat Panhale, Bavnadi valley
Timeless Landscapes: Goval, Hatlot Ghat, Tivare Ghat, Amba
Hill and Hill Ranges: Sahyadrian Ranges
Rivers: Jagbudi, Vashisti, Kasavi
Irrigation Projects: Natuwadi, Nandivali, Kolkewadi
Water Falls: Parshuram, Prachitgad, Marleshwar
Hot water Spring: Unhavare, Aravali, Tural, Rajapur