Geography & Rivers
Maharashtra GK · भूगोल और नदियां · 18 facts
Maharashtra area: 307,713 sq km — 3rd largest state in India by area (after Rajasthan and MP)
Maharashtra has 36 districts divided into 6 divisions: Konkan, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati, Nagpur
Sahyadri (Western Ghats): Runs along Maharashtra's western edge; UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspot
Kalsubai Peak (1,646 m, Nashik): Highest peak in Maharashtra; located in Sahyadri range
Konkan Coast: Maharashtra's coastal strip, 720 km long — India's longest coastal strip for a single state
Vidarbha: Eastern region of Maharashtra bordering MP and Telangana; cotton-growing area, also called 'Orange Belt'
Marathwada: Central-eastern region around Aurangabad; drought-prone; historically part of Hyderabad Nizam's territory
Deccan Plateau: Covers most of Maharashtra's interior; black basalt soil (regur) ideal for cotton cultivation
Godavari River: Longest river in Maharashtra; originates at Trimbakeshwar (Nashik); called 'Dakshina Ganga'
Krishna River: Originates at Mahabaleshwar (Satara); flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Bhima River: Major tributary of Krishna; Pandharpur (Vitthal Temple) is on its banks
Tapi River: Originates in MP; flows westward through Vidarbha, Khandesh, reaches Gulf of Khambhat
Lonar Lake (Buldhana): World's only known hypervelocity impact crater lake in basalt; formed ~50,000 years ago
Jayakwadi Dam (Nashik-Aurangabad): Largest dam in Maharashtra on Godavari; provides irrigation and drinking water
Maharashtra borders 6 states: Gujarat (NW), MP (N), Chhattisgarh (NE), Telangana (SE), Karnataka (S), Goa (SW)
Mahabaleshwar Hill Station (Satara, 1353 m): Origin of Krishna river; strawberry cultivation; summer resort
Nashik: On Godavari River; hosts Kumbh Mela every 12 years (Simhastha); wine-producing capital of India
Maharashtra has 2 Ramsar Wetland sites: Nandur Madhmeshwar (Nashik) and Lonar Lake (Buldhana)