The city has strong cultural identity and lends its name to many common terms like Kolhapuri Chappal , Kolhapuri lavangi mirchi, Kolhapuri gur and Kolhapuri cuisine.
Kolhapur is also known as Kalapur for being home for artists (painters, singers, Marathi cinema etc). Kolhapur still plays host to many film festivals and provides location for shooting. In certain circles, the city is still considered the capital of Marathi film industry.

The city is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and is also popularly known as 'Dakshin Kashi'. The city is adobe of Goddess Mahalaxmi Ambabai .Various temples and religious places in and around the city make it an important destination for Religious Tourism. The town has many evidences of antiquity which can been easily noticed in the culture and the architecture of the city .Apart from that various Lakes and River Panchganga add to the beauty of the city .

The district is abundant in natural resources as a result of which it is one of the most agriculturally advanced districts of India. The growth of Kolhapur in modern times is fascinating. It is not only emerging as an industrialised district of India but is also a front runner in agro-based industries. Being one of the shining examples in the Co-operative Movement of India it is not a surprise that, the district has the highest per capita income in the Maharashtra State and one of the highest in the country!