• Creation and Location: Vijayanagara district, located in the Kalyana-Karnataka region of southern Karnataka, was officially established on 2 October 2021, carved out from Ballari. The district headquarters is in Hospet.
• Historical Background: The district was historically part of the Vijayanagara Empire and later included in the Madras Presidency during British rule. Post-independence, it was part of Bellary district until its reorganization in 2021.
• Administrative Structure: The district is divided into six divisions, two subdivisions, and 18 village clusters. Hospet serves as the administrative headquarters. Key political figures include Anand Singh (MLA and district minister), Krishna Nayaka, P. T. Parameshwar Naik, and M. P. Prakash.
• Tourism Attractions: Major sites include Hampi (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Tungabhadra Dam, Mylara Lingeshwara Temple, Kanchobaleshwara Temple in Makanadaku, Sri Guru Kotturubasaveshwara Temple in Kotturu, and ancient temples in Bagali and Koolahalli.
• Demographics: As of the 2011 census, the district has a population of 1,353,628, with 26.57% residing in urban areas. The population includes 23.83% Scheduled Castes and 17.41% Scheduled Tribes. The predominant religion is Hinduism (88.75%), and Kannada is the most spoken language (78.09%).