Ratnagiri, famous for its culture and food has also been place where virgin village beauty is found at its best, birth place of many good personalities. Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg were joined before and known as North Ratnagiri and South Ratnagiri. In 1981 two districts were divided with separate names. This district is birthplace of some eminent personalities in Maharashtra viz Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Balshastri Jambhekar, Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Gopalkrushna Gokhale, Sane Guruji. 

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Demography

Spreading 8208 sqkm divided into 9 Talukas having 844 Grampanchayat, 9 Panchayat Samitis and 1 Council. 

Population: 16,12,672 Male: 7,59,703 Female: 8,52,969 Gender Ratio: 1136 Density: 196 Literacy: 82.43%  

Ratnagiri has hot and humid temperature with rainfall around 330 cm.

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Ratnagiri has 237 km seashore. Its boundaries touch Raigad district in north, Sindhurdurg in South and Kolhaur Satara and Sangli on the East side of Sahyadri ranges. Major of this district is covered with hills. There are many creeks like kelshi, Dabhol, Jaigad, Bhatya, Purngad, Jaitapur and Vijaydug. Of course the river system of the district is very rich. Vahsishti, Shastri, Bav, Shuk, Muchkundi, Savitri, Jagbudi, kajli, Kajvi are major rivers starting from Sahyadri flowing East to West to the Arabian Sea. The river system has not only made Ratngiri land fertile but also developed major cities on their banks. Shuk river sets out boundries between Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg and meets the sea through Vijaydurg Sea. Kajvi nurtures major city Rajapur to meet at Jaitapur Creek. Muchkundi starts at Vishalgad and meets at Purngad Creek. Savitri is major river of not only Ratnagiri but Kokan. It begins at the Bankot Creek and flows to Mandangad Taluka. Shastri meets Sonvi at Sanghmeshwar and flows to Jaigad creek, thus having wider flow among all rivers. Vashisthi is another important river which has developed Chiplun on its bank to meet Jagbudi later and meet the sea thought Dabhol Creek. Jagbudi begins at Khed, Bav at Sangmeswar, and Kajli at Amba Ghat. There are three minor Dams Natuwadi at Khed, Kamaye in Chiplun and Panwal at Ratnagiri. 50% of its land is a forest which is home of many forest trees found throughout Kokan and wild life. This district is thus full of Seashore, Creeks, rivers and forestation.

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Soil is besalt type which is found also in other parts of Kokan. But the upper layer of the soil is violet colored and is famous as Jambha. This is used for house-bricks making. Rice is major crop but this district is world famous for its Alfonso Mango and also cashew. At sea shore coconut and Supari is major crop. Kokum is also famous. 

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Fishing is another major occupations, with major inland selling and Export. There are also other small businesses. 

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Mumbai-Goa NH17 and Ratnagiri- Kolhapur NH104 are two National Highways passing from Ratnagiri. Mandangad-Satara, Dapoli-Kolhapur, Chiplun-Satara, Pawas-Ratnagiri are state highways. 

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Mumbai-Goa Railways pass this district with major stations at Khed, Lote, Pofale, Savarde, Sangmeshwar, Ratnagiri, Lanja and Rajapur. 

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Forts:

Jaigad

Palgad

Prachitgad

Suvarndurg

yashwantgad

Mahipatgad

Mandangad

Bankot

Gopalgad

Ratndurg

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Chiplun is major city and place to visit. It possesses the Temple of Parshuram at Lote Parshuram, god of Kokan who is said to have developed this beautiful land by displacing the Sea inner. 

Dervan near Chiplun has Shivsrushti, the events in the life of Shivaji Maharaj crafted in stones. 

Ganpati Temple at Hedvi is famous. 

Rantnagiri is another major city with Ratndurg fort, Hedvi Ganpati temple, some beautiful beaches, Residing place of Lokmanya Tilak known as father of unrest in India, Thiba Palace, and Patit Pavan temple built by Svatantryveer Savarkar in his fight for equality during 1929. 

Pawas is famous for its holy pilgrim of Sarupanand Swami.

Sangmeshwar is famous for its temples and also place where Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Shivaji Maharaj was detained by Aurangzeb.

Palgad is birth place of Sane Guruji the famous writer and teacher. 

Guhagar is famous for virgin beaches so as Harne-Murud, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and residence at Sea-side resorts. 

Ganapatipule is famous for Ganpati Temple. 

Dapoli is famous for Agriculture University that one can visit and also for Anjarle Ganpati Temple. 

Rajapur is famous for Dhopeshwar Temple with hot water Reservoir. Unhale is also famous. ​

Marleshwar Temple surrounded with pristine beauty is must visit at Deorukh. 

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