The final district of Kokan is Sindhudurg, The excitement of Kokan just reaches its peak as you visit this southest district. Surrounded with green Sahyadri, the sand and sea becomes purer, richer and brighter here. Sindhudurg was ruled by Chalukyas in ancient times. In medieval times it was with Adilshah till Shivaji Maharaj captured the same and ordered to build fort on the island called Kurte in Malvan and named it Sindhudurg. The fort has been the identity of the district. It was part of Ratnagiri district  and called South Ratnagiri. In 1981 new district of Sindhudurg was established. 

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Sindhudurg has 121 km Sea shore. Its boundaries touch Ratnagiri on north side and state of Goa and Karnataka in the south. Sindhudurg is known for ghats famous have been Amboli and Fonda ghat.

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Demography

Spread in 5207 sq km.  divided into 8 Talukas, 8 Panchayat Samiti.

Population: 8.48,868 Male 4,16,695 Female: 4,32,173  Gender Ratio: 1079 Density: 163 Literacy: 86.54%

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Sindhudurg has hot and humid atmosphere with rainfall around 300 cm.

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Major part is surrounded with hill areas and therefore its famous for its ghats, specially Amboli ghat which is tourist favorite hill station. 

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Rivers in Sindhudurg are shorter in length and thus flow speedily from east to the west. Shuk is main river which demarcates boundaries of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg to meet at Vijaydurg Creek. Devgad river flows from Kankavli and Devgad Talukas to meet Arabian sea through Devgad Creek. Achra frlows form Devgad and Kankavli, Gadi from Kankavli and Malvan parallel to Achra river to meet at Kalavali Creek, Karli River flows from Kudal Taluka to meet Arabian Sea. Terekhol river and Tillari river are two which originates in Sahyadri ranges and flowing from Sindhudurg enter Goa State. Thus Vijaydurg, Devgad, Aachara, Kalavali, Karli, Vengirla, Terekhol and Malvan are creeks in Sindhudurg District. 

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There are two main dams Talanba on Karli River and Ghonsari dam on Gad River.

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Soil is besalt type with more of iron content. As the rivers are speedy, they bring potassium to the soil at sea shore. Farming is main occupation and rice, nachni and Kulith are main crops. Sindhudurg is also famous for horticulture, coconut, supari, Mango, Cashew are major fruits. Devgad, Malvan , vengurla and Kankavli are famous for its Alfonso Mango.  Jack fruits, Jambhul, Kokum are other famous fruits. 

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Sindhudurg is also mineral rich soil. Redi has reserves of Iron-ore, Manganeze is found in Sawantwadi Taluka, and Fonda of Kankavli taluka, Boxite in Amboli. Chikanmati (Clay), Geru  (Red coloured clay used in paints) and limestone are other important earth products. There are many other industrial activities taken place. There is Kokan Vikas Audyogik Vasahat (Industrial complex) at Kudal,  Sawantwadi and kankavli. As cashew is important fruit, there are many cashew processing units specially at Vengula, malvan nd Devgad. Coconut is another product and thus coir business is also well flourished in Malvan, Vengurla, Aaronde and Walawal. Sindhudurg has 121 km of sea shore and thus Fisheries is important occupation. Next generation is getting training in the subject ans uswing sophisticated methods and machinery for the same. There are cold storage and fish processing units, fish farming units s well. Salt processing is another major occupation near seashore and creeks specially in Shirode and Malwan. This is another district in Kokan with 50% Forest cover giving residence to Forest trees and Wild life and other diversity. Along with Sag and other forest trees and medicinal plants, honey from Fonda is world famous. Sindhudurg is lushgreen land and thus attract tourists. 

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NH17 is National highway passes though Sindhudurg along with State highways- Vengurla Belgaon, Malvan-Kolhapur, Devgad-Kolhapur, Vijaydurg-Kolhapur. Mumbai-Goa Railways pass though Sindhudurg with Vaibahvwadi, Nandgaon, Kankavli Malwan and Sawantwadi, Banda as important stations. 

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Forts

Sindhudurg is important fort surrounded by water. It was built by Shivaji Maharaj in 1664. 

Vijaydyrga is another fort which is famous for underground wall built for the protection. 

Rajkot was also built by Shivaji Maharaj to protect Sindhudurg, surroundedby sea from three sides. There is asow rock gardern on the way to Rajkot. 

Devgad fort was built by great Maratha Navy officer Kanhoki Angre in 1705. it is surrounded by Sea from three sides. 

Yashwantgad is in Redi, was important port of Chalukya king swamiraja. The Fort is in good conditions with all its doors intact.  Redi Creek is visible from the fort. 

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Other important spots

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Amboli,1023 km above sea levels is famous hill station with highest rainfall in Maharashtra. Mahadevgad and Narayangadare two forts here and also origin of Hiranyakeshi river.

Redi is important port having a Ganpati Temple. 

Sawantwadi is famous for Wooden toys. KIngs palace and Moti lake are other two important sights. 

Tarkarli is known for Scuba diving. MTDC has developed Resort boats.There is also Scuba Diving training center. 

Vengurla is famous for Horticulture Research Center. 

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