Karimnagar district is a district of Telangana state with its administrative headquarters located at Karimnagar city. The city was named after the name of Syed Karimuddin, a Quiladar who might be its founder. Earlier Karimnagar was called as Sabbinadu. The historical importance of the district could never deny since the inscriptions of the Kakatiya king Prola II and Prataparudra were still available at Karimnagar and Srisailam. Later the name of Karimnagar was changed from Sabbinadu to Elagandala. The district was famous as a seat of Vedic learning. Moreover, it was the central place of the great Satavahana Empire. During the period of Nizams, they changed its name to Karimnagar. The history of the district was started with the Old Stone Age of 1,48,000 BC. Numerous archaeological excavations in the regions of Pedda Bonkur, Dhulikatta and Kotilingalu has proved the fact that the area was once ruled by the Satvahanas, Mauryas and Asaf Jahis. At different periods of time the district was ruled by many significant dynasties such as Satvahanas, Mauryas and Asaf Jahis dynasties. The historical structures, constructed by these kings are the remarkable evidences of its rich history. At present it is a part of Red Corridor.

Satavahana dynasty Kotilingala in Karimnagar district was the first capital of the Satavahana Kingdom (230 BCE-220 CE). Formerly known as Sabbinadu, inscriptions dating to the Kakatiya dynasty (1083-1323) by kings Prola II and Prataparudra found at Karimnagar and Srisailam provide evidence of the area's rich history. The history of the Karimnagar district began in the Old Stone Age around 1,48,000 BC. Archaeological excavations in Pedda Bonkur, Dhulikatta and Kotilingalu show that the area was once ruled by the Satvahanas, Mauryas and Asaf Jahis. Modern era It was previously part of Hyderabad State before 1st November 1956, Andhra Pradesh state till 2nd June 2014 and became the part of newly formed state of Telangana by Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Cingireddy Narayana Reddy, an illustrious Indian poet and writer was born on 29st July, 1931 at Hanumajipet in Karimnagar district. He is known as Cinare. He was honoured by many great awards such as Padma Shri (1977), Kala Prapoorna (1978), Raja-Lakshmi Award (1988), Jnanpith Award (1988) and Padma Bhushan (1992). He is also considered to be an authority on Telugu literature.

Geographically, the district lies at 18°44' N latitude, 79°13' E longitude and 265 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 18.66% forest area of total geographical area. The district occupies a geographical area of 11,823 sq km. and it is bounded by Adilabad district on the north, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh on the north east, Warangal district on the south, Medak district on the south west and Nizamabad district on the west. The climate of the district is characterised as dry inland climate. Native experiences extreme hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1447.5 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 5 revenue divisions namely Karimnagar, Jagtial, Sircilla, Peddapalli and Manthani. There are 2 municipal corporations, 5 municipalities and 57 mandals in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 13 towns and 1,079 villages. The administrative language in the district is Telugu.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 37,76,269 out of which 18,80,800 are males and 18,95,469 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 1008 females for every 1000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 8.15% including 7.60% were males and 8.69% were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 92.45% of the total population. The population density in the district is 319 persons per sq. km. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Telugu with 91.67%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 9,406 out of which 4,731 were males and 4,675 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 5,765 out of which 3,605 were males and 2,160 were females.

The backbone of the economy of the district is mainly agriculture. Some of its chief agricultural products are paddy, maize, green gram, groundnut, maize, cotton, chili, pomegranate, tamarind, amla, guava, etc. Industrially, the district is also well developed. Its allied industries such as rice mills, saw, oil, other grain mills, animal husbandry, seed and other processing mills etc. The vital industries in the district are Food Corporation of India, National Thermal Power Corporation Singareni Collieries Company Limited, Kesoram Cement Factory, etc. In the year 2020-21 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 22,62,531 lakhs at current price and Rs. 14,55,891 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2015-16 was Rs. 10,79,980 lakh at current price and Rs. 8,60,821 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 1,91,205 at current price and Rs. 1,20,329 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. In 2006, the Indian government declared Karminagar as one of the country's 250 Most impoverished districts and currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

The district provides a platform for the higher education. There are numerous schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the district. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 64.15% out of which 73.65% are males and 54.79% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 22,06,829 out of which 12,57,238 are males and 9,49,591 are females.

Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao, an eminent Indian lawyer and politician who served as the 10th Prime Minister of India (1991-1996) was born on 28th June, 1921 in Karimnagar. He was hold many other significant portfolios in the Government of India like minister of Defence, minister of External Affairs and minister of Home Affairs. He was also served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 30th September, 1971 to 10th January, 1973. He was a member of Indian National Congress party. Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, a distinguished Indian politician and the present Governor of Maharashtra was born on 4th February, 1942 at Nagaram in the district.  He was served as an Union Minister of State with the portfolio of Home Affairs, Commerce and Industry in the Vajpayee-led BJP Govt government (1999-2004). He was also elected as a member of 12th and 13th Lok Sabha from Karimnagar constituency. He is a member of Bharatiya Janata Party.

The district has numerous renowned pilgrimages which allures many travellers from across the country. Vemulawada, a place located at a distance of 35 km. from Karimnagar has a temple of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. People from far distance place come to this temple to offer their prayers. Dharmapuri, holy place which attained religious importance for its shrine devoted to Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Kondagattu temple of the district is the temple of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Natives of the district believe that the temple was made by a cowherd in the 18th century. Kaleshwaram, Kothakonda and Komuravelli are the other notable pious sites of the district. The district has also some marvellous historical monuments such as Nagunur Fort, Dhulikatta, Elgandal fort, Molanguru Fort, Ramagiri Killa, etc.