Based on physical features, the district can be divided into three natural divisions - the lowland bordering the sea, the midland consisting of the undulating country and the forest-clad highland on the extreme east.

KASARGOD is derived from the word Kusirakood meaning Nuxvomica forests (Kanjirakuttom). The Kasargod district was formed on 24th May 1984 with the intention of bestowing maximum attention to develop this coastal area fruitfully. It is lies between 12.30 North latitudes and 74.59 East longitudes (represented in degrees minutes direction). The climate is generally hot and the humidity is rises to about 90% during the south west monsoon. Its having a forest area of 115 sq. kilometers.

The Rilway Track is passing through the heart of Kasargod and parralel to the Arabian Sea. An excellent network of NH and SH connecting Kasargod to major towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The nearest Mangalore Air Port is just 55km away from the town.  The Chandragiri River is the longest among 12 rivers flowing trough the district.

Lying on the north western coast of the State, Kasaragod was famous from time immemorial. Many Arab travellers, who came to Kerala between 9^th and 14^th centuries AD, visited Kasaragod as it was then an important trade centre. They called this area Harkwillia. Mr. Barbose, the Portuguese traveller, who visited Kumbla near Kasaragod in 1514, had recorded that rice was exported to Male Island when coir was imported. Dr. Francs Buccanan, who was the family doctor of Lord Wellesly, visited Kasaragod in 1800. In his travelogue, he has included information on the political and communal set –up in places like Athipramba, Kavvia, Nileshwar, Bekal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwar.

Kasaragod was part of the Kumbala Kingdom in which there were 64 Tulu and Malayalam villages. When Vijayanagar empire attacked Kasaragod, it was ruled by the Kolathiri King who had Nileswar as his headquarters. It is said that the characters appearing in Theyyam, the ritualistic folk dance of northern Kerala, represent those who had helped king Kolathiri fight against the attack of the Vijayanagar Empire. During the decline of that empire in the 14th century, the administration of this area was vested with the Ikkeri Naikans. They continued to be the rulers till the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire in 16th century. Then Vengappa Naik declared independence to Ikkeri. In 1645 Sivappa Naik took the reigns and transferred the capital to Bednoor. Thus they came to be known as Bednoor Naiks.  Chandragiri fort and Bekal Fort are considered to be part of a chain of forts constructed by Sivappa Naik for the defence of the kingdom. Another version says that the fort was captured by Shivappa Naik from the Kolathiri Rajas, who were its owners.

As the attempt to conquer Thalassery Fort was foiled, Hyder Ali of Mysore Kingdom returned in 1763 after occupying Bakel fort. After his death in 1782, Tippu Sultan was successful in taking the Malabar under his Kingdom. The British got Canara after the death of Tippu in 1799.