Belgaum, officially known as Belagavi is the district of Karnataka with its administrative headquarters located at the Belgaum city. Earlier the district Belgaum was called as Venugram, which is a Sanskrit term meaning "Bamboo village". After some years had passed the city was known by a new name "Kunda nagari" because of its famous sweet dish, Kunda. The city is also popularly known as the "Sugar Bowl of Karnataka". In its state language Kannada, the city is named as Belagavi on the other hand in Marathi language, which is the majority language in the district it is called as Belagaon. As per the inscriptions on copper plates found in its nearby place Halsi, once the capital of a dynasty of nine Kadamba kings is the most ancient place in the district. Legends believe that the area of today’s Belgaum was occupied by the Chalukyas from the middle of the 6th century to about 760 who were succeeded by the Rashtrakutas. In this way during different periods of time the place was ruled by different dynasties. The Belgaum district was emerged in the map of Karnataka on 1th November, 1956. The name of the city was changed from Belgaum to Belagavi by the Karnataka government, with approval of the Central government of India along with 12 other cities on 1st November, 2014.

Dattatreya Balkrushna Kalelkar, popularly known as Kaka Kalelkar was an Indian independence activist, social reformer and journalist was born on 1st December, 1885 at Belgundi village in the district. He was one of the prominent followers of the philosophy and methods of Mahatma Gandhi. He was honoured by many great awards but among these Sahitya Akademi Award in 1965 and Padma Vibhushan in 1964 are the main.

Geographically, the district lies at 15°85'N latitude, 74°50'E longitude and 779 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 8.68% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses an area of 13,433 sq km. and it is bounded by Maharashtra state on the west and north, Bagalkote district on the east and Dharawad and Uttara Kannada districts on the south. The climate of the district is characterized as the tropical savanna climate. Its climate remains pleasant throughout the year and most of its rainfall occurs during the monsoon. The actual rainfall in the district was 1090.0 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administrative wise, the district is divided into 14 taluks. There are 3 revenue sub divisions in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 31 towns and 1,263 villages. The administrative language in the district is Kannada.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 47,79,661 including 24,23,063 are males and 23,56,598 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 973 females for every 1000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 13.41% out of which 12.70% were males and 14.15% were females. As per 2011 census the major religions in the district are Hindu and Muslim with 84.49% and 11.06% of the total population. The population density in the district is 356 (persons per sq. km.). According to 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Kannada and Marathi with 68.40% and 18.70%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 72,778 out of which 37,753 were males and 35,025 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 42,219 out of which 25,682 were males and 16,537 were females.

After Bangalore, Belgaum is the most important commercial hub of Karnataka. It is the chief exporter of vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, fish, mining production, and wood.  Belgaum is rich in milk production and has the highest number of sugar factories. Belgaum is an abode to Ugar Sugar Works in Ugar, Renuka Sugars, and other large scale sugar factories in Athani. These sugar factories provide employment to its natives and also contribute a huge chunk of revenue. The district has abundant mineral resources which help to set up some mining factories. In the year 2019-20 the gross domestic product of the district was Rs. 68,94,338 lakh at current price and Rs. 47,19,045 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. In the year 2019-20 the net domestic product in the district was Rs. 60,25,322 lakh at current price and Rs. 40,25,179 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, at factor cost during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 1,16,510 at current price and Rs. 77,834 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

Visveswaraiah Technological University of Belagavi is the renowned technological university and most of the technical and engineering colleges in the Karnataka are affiliated to this university. The Airmen Training School is an Indian Air Force training centre situated at Sambra in the district. Some reputed school in the district are Commando School, School of jungle warfare and the Indian Army. The Medical Council of India has one of its regional research centres here. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 73.48% including 82.2% are males and 64.58% are females. The number of literates in the district is 30,52,032 out of which 17,25,548 are males and 13,26,484 are females.

Prakash Babanna Hukkeri, an illustrious Indian politician and a member of the 16th Lok Sabha from the Chikkodi constituency. He is a member of the Indian National Congress political party. Earlier he was a member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the minister with the portfolio of Small scale industries, Sugar and Endowments.

During the year 2016, there were 51 foreign tourists and 31,11,256 domestic tourists who visited the district. There is a wide variety of sets of tourist places in the district which allures numerous travellers from far distance place. Belgaum Fort, an enormous creation in the heart of the town. It dates back to 1519. Kamal Basti, a famous jain temple is situated in within the boundary of the Belgaum fort. Hunshevari, a centre of pilgrimage is located at Kakati village, 7 km from Belagavi. "Shree Revan Siddeshwar Temple" is the identity of the place. Jamboti, 25 km. south-west of Belagavi, is a place full of green lushes and beautiful natural sceneries. Vajrapoha Falls, Godchinamalaki Falls, Gokak Falls and Dudhsagar Water Falls are some outstanding water falls in the district and perfect destination for nature’s lover.