Karad is a city located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, India. It is situated at the confluence of the Koyna and Krishna rivers, a site referred to as "Pritisangam." The city is positioned approximately 302 km from Mumbai, 74 km from Sangli, and 162 km from Pune.
The region is widely recognized as the "sugar bowl" of Maharashtra due to its significant sugar production and the high concentration of sugar factories in and around the city. Additionally, Karad serves as an important educational hub in Western Maharashtra, hosting numerous prestigious educational institutes. The city also holds historical significance as the resting place of Yashwantrao Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra.
In terms of urban management, Karad was ranked as the cleanest town in Swachh Survekshan 2020 within the category for populations under 1 lakh. There is currently a demand for the formation of a new district centered on Karad, which would include the neighboring talukas of Walva, Shirala, Patan, Palus, and Kadegaon.