The district is landlocked and lies towards the mid of the Indian peninsula and is bordered by the state of Karnataka to the north.

Western Ghats pass through the region and is watered by Kaveri River which meets its major tributary Bhavani in the district.

The region was ruled by Vijayanagara Empire in the fifteenth century followed by the Nayaks who introduced the Palayakkarar system.

The region played a prominent role in the Second Polygar War (1801) when it was the area of operations of Dheeran Chinnamalai.

Archaeological excavations from Kodumanal on the banks of the Noyyal River show traces of civilization from 4th century BCE.

[3][4] Kodumanal is mentioned in Patiṟṟuppattu literature from the first century CE as a thriving industrial and commercial center.

[6][7] The region came under the influence of the Pandyas during the reign of Arikesari Maravarman in the seventh century CE.

[11] In the 13th century CE, after the death of Vikrama Chola II, the Pandyas under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I annexed the region.

[13] The Hoysalas ruled the region for sometime later with Vira Someshwara having a matrimonial alliance with both Pandyas and Cholas.

After the defeat of Veera Ballala III of the Hoysalas, the region came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate.

[18] The region played a prominent role in the Second Polygar War (1801) when it was the area of operations of Dheeran Chinnamalai.

[1] The district is landlocked, and is situated roughly at the center of the Indian Peninsula between latitude 10 36" and 11 58" north and between longitude 76 49" and 77 58" east.

Bhavani River cuts the district roughly in the middle, flowing from west to east.

It enters the district at Sathyamangalam, crossing Gobichettipalayam taluk before joining the Kaveri River flowing from the north, near the eastern edge at Bhavani.

[26][27][28] The other major tributaries of the Kaveri including the Noyyal and Amaravati, emerge from the mountains in the west.

[31][32] After a warm and foggy September, the north-east monsoon starts from October, lasting until early November.

[36][37][38] According to the 2011 census, Erode District had a population of 2,251,744 with a sex-ratio of 993 females for every 1,000 males, above the national average of 929.

[43] Kongu Tamil (also called Kangee or Kongalam), a dialect, is predominantly spoken in the district.

Paddy, plantain, silk, cotton, turmeric, coconut and sugarcane are the major agricultural crops.

The district is the top turmeric producer in Tamil Nadu, making up 43% of statewide production.

[58][59] The district is also the leading producer of plantain, coconuts and white silk in Tamil Nadu.

[61][62][63] Other major horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, tapioca and yam, spices, betel vine and cocoa and flowers like rose, jasmine and marigold.

[76] The Coimbatore division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) operates inter and intra-city routes.

[77][78] Erode Central Bus Terminus, which serves as a major hub, is one of the largest in the state.