Keonjhar district, an Ex-princely state of India is situated between 2101ˈN to 22010ˈN of latitude & 85011ˈE to 86022ˈE of longitude. The Geographical area of Keonjhar District is 8303 Sq. Km.The district comprises three Sub-divisions, 13 Blocks and 13 Tahasils at present. There are four Municipalities in the district with headquarters at Keonjhar, Anandapur, Joda and Barbil & one NAC being head quarter at Champua are functioning in the district.
The district is nestled in the northern fringes of state of Odisha. Keonjhargarh is named after a gushing spring originating from the foot of an ebony tree (kendu) situated at the foothill of picturesque up rolling Indrachatra mountain range. The district headquarter has been a major religious centre with the presence of temples like Baladev Jew, Balunkeswar,Sidhamatha, Dhavaleswara, Siddha Jagannath, Siddha Kali, Shyama Kali, Sriram, Radhamadhab, Gada Tarini & Maa Tarini. Keonjhar districs has major tourist spots are like Sana Ghagara and Bada Ghagara, Gundicha Ghagi, Khandadhara, Gonasika, Bhimkund etc.
Further, this land has blessed with rich variety of flora & fauna to the very delight of strangers, which is its unique characteristic. The district is a treasure chest of rich biodiversity with varied will life and biosphere reserves. The unique Car Festival in the month of June- July called Ratha Yatra is the most popular mass festival of the district. Besides, it Makara Sankranti, Raja Sankranti, Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja, Prathmaastami, Mahabisuba Sankranti, Baruni Mela, Jagar Purnima, Damodar Festival etc. are celebrated amidst intense fervour & gaiety. Kollha dance, Santal dance,juanga dance have got great acclaim from national & international level.
Keonjhar is one of the major minerals producing Districts of Odisha. Iron ore, Manganese ore, Chromate, Quartzite, Bauxite, Gold, Pyrophillite and Lime Stone are the major minerals found in this District. The Kalinga Iron Works (Barbil), Ferro Manganese Plant (Joda), Ipitata (Beleipada), Charge Crome (Brahmanipal) are the major names in the industrial scene of Keonjhar. There are also engineering and metal based industries, chemical and allied industries including plastic industries and agro and marine based industries functioning in this District.