Nuapada District is located in the western part of the Indian state of Odisha. Earlier, Nuapada was a part of the old Kalahandi District. In March 1993, the government divided Kalahandi into two districts for better administration, and Nuapada became a separate district.

The land of Nuapada has plains as well as hills. Many of these hills are part of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. Some plateaus in this area rise to about 1200 meters (around 4000 feet) above sea level. These high lands are often covered with long tropical grass.

Nuapada also has useful minerals like laterite, graphite, and bauxite. The hills around the district are covered with thick forests. Most of the forests include sal trees, along with teak, bamboo, and other types of trees.

The district is known for its natural beauty and peaceful places. Some of the popular attractions include Godhas Waterfall, Beniadhus Waterfall, Pataleswar Temple, Tikhali Dam, Patora Dam, Yogeswar Temple, Patalganga Spring, Yogimath, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, and Upka Ganga Ecotourism site. These places attract visitors who enjoy nature, temples, and wildlife.

Nuapada district covers an area of about 3,852 square kilometers. According to the 2011 Census, the total population of the district is 6,10,382 people. Out of this, about 3,01,962 are males and 3,08,420 are females.

For administration, the district has one subdivision. There are 652 villages and 131 Gram Panchayats. Nuapada also has 5 Tahasils and 5 Blocks. In urban areas, there is one municipality and three Notified Area Councils (NACs). The district also has two Assembly constituencies and ten police stations to manage local governance and law and order.