Maharashtra or the Great Nation is the third largest state in the country and covers a geographical area of 308, 000 square km. the great nation has a glorious history behind the doors of the past. The history can be traced to 3rd century BC. Maharashtra has been ruled by several emperors, all of whom have left their indelible mark on the land. The rulers include Ashoka, the Vakatakas, and the Delhi Sultanates, the Marathas, the Peshwas and then the British rule.

With a population of over 78,937,000 inhabitants, the land is still capable of holding more people. The Sahyadri Range forms the backbone of the state. Apart from that the topography includes hills and plateaus, the most dominating of them being, the Western Ghats which forms the coastal belt, and the Deccan Plateau. The soil which dominates the state is the black soil, also known as the black cotton soil.

The vegetation of the state mainly includes open scrub jungles which form the most important feature of the Deccan region. The forests region of Maharashtra comprises 17% of the total area which are present in the eastern part of the state and the Sahyadri range. There is diversity in the vegetation of the state, due to its climatic and topographical variations. Evergreen deciduous type of forests dominates the landscape.

The main rivers of the state include Krishna, Bhima, Godavari, Tapi-Purna and Wardha-Wainganga. The Western ghats form the drainage area for most of the rivers flowing in the coastal region.

The climate of Maharashtra is of a tropical monsoon type with a searing heat in the summer months, and cold winter. The monsoons have varied influence over different regions, causing heavy rain at some places and mild rainfall in others.

Climate

Maharashtra experiences a tropical monsoon type of climate. The most important factor which influences the climate is the towering presence of the Western Ghats which block the monsoon bearing winds coming from the Arabian Sea and cause rainfall. The onset of the monsoons in the early June gives relief to the scorching summers from the month of March.

The climatic conditions become cold from October end. The rainfall plays a very important role in the lives of the people who are involved in agriculture. Most of the rainfall is received by the Konkan and Sahyadrian parts of Maharashtra. In some years the frequency of the rainfall varies along with harsh climatic conditions in summer months, which add to the woe of the peasants.

The annual rainfall of the state can vary from 400 – 6000 mm and occurs for 3 – 4 months in a year. The months of March, April and May, experience very high temperatures which are often accompanied by thunderstorms.

Maximum amount of rainfall occurs in the month of July, while the transition towards the colder climatic conditions occurs in the month of October. Winter touches the state in the month of November and persists till February. The weather is generally pleasant with clear skies and cool gentle wind.

The average annual temperature of Maharashtra remains 25 – 27 degree centigrade in most regions. The total annual rainfall varies in different regions and so does the temperature.

In the summer months the climatic conditions become very unpleasant with shortage of even drinking water.