Geography
Palakkad is the second-largest district in Kerala. Its headquarters is Palakkad city. In 2006, Palakkad had the distinction of being the largest district. However, after some areas of Kadampuzha Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam district were added to Idukki district, Palakkad lost its position as the largest district in 2023.
The neighboring districts are Thrissur to the south, Malappuram to the north, Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu to the east, and Malappuram and Thrissur to the west. The Bharathapuzha is the main river. Almost the entire district lies within the Bharathapuzha river basin. Other rivers include the Kunthi Puzha, Thootha Puzha, Gayathri Puzha, Kannadi Puzha, Kalpathi Puzha, Siruvani, and Bhavani Puzha.
The Walayar Pass in Palakkad district is the largest gateway through the Western Ghats. Due to the presence of this pass, Palakkad has a relatively dry climate, similar to that of Tamil Nadu, unlike most other districts of Kerala.
Before the formation of Kerala, Palakkad was part of the Madras Presidency.