Mysore District is situated in the Southern part of the Deccan plateau in the state of Karnataka. It is an undulating tableland, covered in part by granite outcrops and at the same time fringed with verdant forests. Since the days of kings and palaces, this district has played a rather significant role in the history of South India.

Mysore district lies in the Southern Maidan (Southern Plateau) and it is in the southernmost part of Karnataka State. The district forms the southern part of the Deccan peninsula with Tamil Nadu to its southeast, the Kodagu district to its west, Mandya district to its north, Hassan district to its northwest and Bengaluru district to its northeast. It lies between 11 degrees 30 minutes North to 12 degrees and 50 degrees North latitudes, and 75 degrees 45 minutes East to 77 degrees 45 minutes East longitudes. It covers a total area of 6854 Sq. Kms. The mountain ranges in the district originate from the Nilgiris along its southern borders and runs in a northwest and northeast direction. Except in the north, the district is almost entirely surrounded by the Western Ghats which at places are an elevation of more than 1200 meters above the mean sea level.

The Mysore plateau lies in between the Ghats at an average elevation of 700 metres. Only along the southeast, the mountain ring is broken, where the Kaveri River takes its course towards the Ghats and plunges into the famous Gaganachukki and Barachukki falls at Shivansamudram. Geologically, the district is mainly composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks either exposed at the surface or covered with a thin mantle of residual and transported soils. The soils of the districts can be broadly classified as the laterite, red loam, sandy loam, red clay and black cotton soils.

The climate of the area is agreeable. The district enjoys cool and equable temperatures. The climate of the district may be described as essentially tropical monsoon type. On the whole, over the greater par of the district, summers are comfortably warm and winters are bracingly cool. The hottest month is that of April, when the mean daily temperature is at 34.5 degree Celsius.

Mysore district is the third richest in the forest wealth of the state. There are basically two types of forests found here. These include the moist deciduous where the rainfall is 900-1100 mm and dry deciduous where the rainfall is 700 - 900 mm. The Principal species of trees in the forests are teak, honne, rosewood, dindiga, eucalyptus and sandalwood. It is only in the hilly areas, there is however a resemblance of evergreen forests. The major produce of the forests in the district consists of teak, matchwood, sandalwood, rosewood and building materials. Over and above everything else, these forests are ecosystem habitats.

Mysore District is a popular tourist destination, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendour of Mysore City and the fabulous Dasara Festival in Karnataka to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots. Found here are palaces, lakes, churches, temples, places of historical interest and many more spots of tourist interest. Some of the most visited places of tourism here are the Mysore palace, Chamundi hills, Brindavan gardens, Ranganathu bird sanctuary, Nanjangud temple etc.

Mysore district forms a distinct land unit, besides being a cultural entity.