Geography of Thane District is divided into three physical divisions namely the central portion having Sahyadri ranges and its slopes is mainly forest area; the central region covering mostly paddy fields and the western part along the West coast, where horticulture, cultivation of high quality fodder and vegetables are practiced. The Sahyadri ranges having unbroken boundary run in the Eastern region of the district. There are also spurs running laterally to the main ranges. The heights of the mountains are high on the east and diminish gradually westwards. The mountain ranges also spread unevenly in the central region of the district.
The climate of Thane District is distinctly different on the coastal plains and on the eastern slopes. Being fully tropical, the climate on the coast, the coastal strip including Thane, Vasai, Palghar and Dahanu tehsils is very humid and warm. On the other hand, the climate on the eastern slopes and in the plains at the foot of the slopes is comparatively less humid. However, variation in temperature in the eastern region is more than that on the coastal strip. The maximum temperature varies between 28 degree Celsius and 35 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature ranges between 16 degree Celsius and 26 degree Celsius. Thane District gets assured rainfall of 2000 to 4000 mm from south-west monsoons during the months of June to September. Generally highest rainfall is recorded in the month of July. It is considerably more inland than on the coast. It is also less towards the north more inland than on the coast. It is also less towards the north than towards the south.
Geography of Thane District includes two main rivers, which join the sea on the west coast and these are Vaitarna River and Ulhas River. The Vaitarna River rises in the hills near Trimbak in the Nashik District and flowing southwards takes a westwards turn entering Thane district at Vihigaon in Shahapur tehsil. It is further passes across northern boundary of Shahapur tehsil to enter Wada tehsil near Nishet village and then taking East-West course through the middle of Wada tehsil. It enters Palghar tehsil and runs in north-west direction up to Manor, where-from it turns south-west and southwards up to village Navghar forming Vaitarna creek at the south of Palghar tehsil. The important tributaries of Vaitarna are Pinjal, Daherja, Surya and Tansa. The important tributaries of Ulhas River in Thane District are Bharvi, Bhatsa and Kalu rivers. The soils of Thane District can be divided into three categories, regur soil, red soil in the eastern region mostly on the slopes and brownish-black soil in the patches of the valleys mostly lying between the coastal plains and the hilly slopes of Sahyadri hills.
