Almora district is an administrative district in the Kumaon division of the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Almora, a hill station historically associated with the Chand dynasty of Kumaon. It is known for its terraced agriculture, pine and oak forests, temples, and cultural traditions of the Kumaoni people.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Division | Kumaon |
| Headquarters | Almora |
| Region | Central Himalaya |
| Languages | Hindi, Kumaoni |
Almora district lies in the central Himalayan belt, characterised by ridge-top settlements, river valleys, and mid-altitude forests. It is bordered by the districts of Bageshwar to the north, Pithoragarh and Champawat to the east, Nainital to the south, and Pauri Garhwal across the Ramganga to the west. Major rivers flowing through or near the district include the Kosi, the Suyal, and the Ramganga (West). Elevations in the district generally range from around 1,000 m to over 2,500 m, with prominent ridges such as Binsar and Kasar Devi.
The region forms part of historical Kumaon, ruled for several centuries by the Chand dynasty, who founded the town of Almora in the 16th century as their capital. Following a period of Gorkha rule in the early 19th century, the area passed to the British East India Company after the Anglo-Nepalese War and the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, becoming part of the Kumaon Division of the North-Western Provinces and later the United Provinces.
Almora was a notable centre during the Indian independence movement and has long been associated with literary, spiritual, and political figures. After Indian independence in 1947, it formed part of Uttar Pradesh. On 9 November 2000, Almora became part of the newly created state of Uttaranchal, which was renamed Uttarakhand in 2007. The district was later subdivided, with Bageshwar district being carved out of it in 1997.
The district is administered by a District Magistrate and is divided into several tehsils and community development blocks for revenue and rural development purposes. Almora town serves as the administrative headquarters and houses district-level offices, courts, and the Kumaon Regiment Centre's regional presence in the broader Kumaon area.
The district economy is predominantly agrarian, with terraced cultivation of crops such as wheat, paddy, mandua (finger millet), and pulses. Horticulture, including fruit orchards and vegetables, contributes significantly, alongside small-scale handloom weaving, woollen products, and traditional copperware from Almora town. Tourism is an important sector, supported by hill stations, temples, and wildlife sites.
The population of Almora district is largely rural and predominantly Kumaoni-speaking, with Hindi used as the official language. The district has historically experienced out-migration to towns and cities of the plains for employment and education.