A major part of Shimoga district lies in the Malnad region or the Sahyadri.

[1] There are seven taluks: Soraba, Sagara, Hosanagar, Shimoga, Shikaripura, Thirthahalli, and Bhadravathi.

Another legend indicates that the name Shimoga is derived from the word Sihi-Moge which means sweet pot.

Some cowherds, found this pot and after tasting the sweet beverage named this place Sihi-Moge.

[5] During Treta Yuga, it is believed that Lord Rama killed Maricha, who was in the disguise of a deer at Mrugavadhe near Thirthahalli.

[6] In 1763 Haider Ali captured the capital of Keladi Nayakas and as a result the district came into the rule of the Kingdom of Mysore and remained a part of it until India acquired independence from the British.

[15] Shimoga lies between the latitudes 13°27' and 14°39' N and between the longitudes 74°38' and 76°04' E at a mean altitude of 640 metres above sea level.

[15] The peak Kodachadri hill at an altitude of 1343 metres above sea level is the highest point in this district.

As the district lies in the tropical region, rainy season occurs from June to October.

Foundry, agriculture and animal husbandry are the major contributors to the economy of Shimoga district.

The crops cultivated in this district are paddy, arecanut, cotton, maize, oil seeds, cashewnut, pepper, chili, ginger, Ragi.

[20] Karnataka is the largest producer of arecanut in India, the majority of which is cultivated in the Shimoga district.

The farmers have cultivated crops like Vanilla and Jatropha that has yielded high monetary benefits.

This multi cropping can help in maximum utilisation of land space and improve soil fertility.

[22] As of 2000[update], there were about 9800 industrial units in Shimoga District (small, medium and large), with more than 41,000 employees.

Other rural industries in this district are carpentry, blacksmith, leather, pottery, beekeeping, stone cutting, handlooms, agarbathi, and sandalwood carving.

Nilakanteshwara Natya Seva Sangha is located in a village called Heggodu in Sagara.

[39][40] Ford Foundation has volunteered in establishing a rural theatre and film culture project called Janaspandana.

[43] Gudigars are a clan of craftsmen who are specialised in carving intricate designs on wood, mainly sandalwood.

[52] The film Kanoora heggadathi which was based on the novel written by Kuvempu was shot in Thirthahalli taluk.

[53] The film Samskara, based on the novel written by U. R. Anantha Murthy, was shot in a village in the Shimoga district.

The cooking in the Malnad region of Shimoga district includes items like midigayi-uppinakai (tender-mango pickle), sandige (similar to pappadum), avalakki (beaten rice) and akki rotti.

Havyaka people have their own cuisine consisting of such varied items like genesale (sweet made of jaggery, rice and coconut), thotadevvu (sweet made of rice and sugarcane juice) and thambli (a curd preparation containing other ingredients like ginger, turmeric root, jasmine and rose sprouts).

The region has protected areas classified as wildlife sanctuaries to ensure the protection of these species: Python, cobra, king cobra, rat snake, marsh crocodile are among the reptiles found in the sanctuary.

Birds include Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, babblers, Flycatchers, munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl, Partridges.

GHS JADE have won several computation organised by Department Of Education, like sports, Prathiba Karanji in every year, In 2015 this high school started to offer English-medium classes for 8th, 9th and 10th students.

Society's Ayurved College, established in 1992, is located in Shimoga,[87] which also offers B.A.M.S Ayuvedacharya degree.

[95] The Ranji match between Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh was hosted on the Jawaharlal Nehru cricket ground.

[107] VTU inter-collegiate cricket, football, volleyball and handball tournaments are held in the districts.

[114] Other sports tournaments held in Shimoga are table tennis;[115][116] badminton;[117] kabaddi;[118] chess.