Formerly a major port area, Kannur is now known for it's handloom and beedi industries. Some of Kerala’s finest weavers come from this district. It is also the head-quarters of the country’s largest and best-run beedi co-operative which produces the famous brand, Kerala Dinesh beedi.

The district is bound by the Western Ghats in the east, in the west by the Arabian sea, in the north by the Kasargode district and in the south by the Mahe region of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Kannur district is endowed with sufficient number of rivers. Valapattanam river which originates from Western Ghats is the longest river in the district. Most of the rivers are navigable. Anjarakany, Kuppam, Mahe and Thalassery are the other rivers. Kannur district has extensive forest areas which may be classified under two heads namely reserve forests and vested forests.