Balasore (ବାଲେଶ୍ୱର) is a coastal district in northern Odisha, India, bordering West Bengal and the Bay of Bengal. Its headquarters is Balasore town. The district is known for its beaches, fertile agricultural areas, and defence testing facilities around Chandipur, where the sea recedes far from shore at low tide.
Odia is the main language, with Bengali also spoken, reflecting the district’s proximity to West Bengal. Farming, fishing, aquaculture, trade, and manufacturing support local livelihoods. Rice cultivation is important across the plains. Festivals, temple traditions, and Odia literature shape cultural life. Notable places include Chandipur beach, Talasari beach, and the Khirochora Gopinatha Temple at Remuna.
Common civic concerns include cyclone preparedness, flooding, coastal erosion, and reliable drinking water. Residents also care about roads, drainage, sanitation, healthcare, and education. Protecting fishing livelihoods, improving employment opportunities, and balancing tourism and industrial development with coastal conservation are important district-wide priorities.