Wayanad District, in the north-east of Kerala, India, was formed on November 1, 1980 as the 12th district, carved out of Kozhikode District and Kannur District. Though the word Wayanad is believed by some to have originated from Vayal (paddy) and Naad (land), 'Land of Paddy Fields', some scholars disagree. The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. There are many indigenous tribals in this area. It is set high on the majestic Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m. The district is going through its worst agrarian crisis.

Basic information
Area: 2132 km²
Population (2001 census) : 780,619
Density of Popn: 369 people/km²
No. of Taluks: 3 (Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, Vayithiri)
No. of state Assembly Legislators: 3 (North Wayanad, Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta) Lok Sabha Representation: North Wayanad Assembly Seat is in Kannur Lok Sabha Seat, the other two in Kozhikode.
District Headquarters: Kalpetta (Municipality, pop: 29,602 in 2001 census) Other Important Towns: Sulthan Bathery, Mananthavady.