The District capital is the city of Chamrajnagar. Administrative units of districts in Karnataka are known as taluks. The taluks of Chamrajnagar include Chamrajnagar taluk, Yelandur taluk, and Kollegal taluk. In Decemeber 2002, the State Government created several new taluks, including Hanur taluk, which is currently within the Kollegal taluk. Population and economic growth have been straining the capabilities of the current administrations. As of October 2003, a tahsildar had been appointed for Hanur, but the formal taluk government had not yet become functional.
Many languages are spoken within the district. Kannada is the primary language of Karnataka, and Chamrajnagar district. Tamil is a minor language within the district but of great importance in many areas within the district. Kollegal taluk has a great deal of Tamils, and was originally part of the Tamil Nadu state, in the Salem district. Another language of minor importance is Soliga, spoken by hill people in the district. Their center is in the BR Hills (Biligirirangana Betta).
Chamrajnagar is rich with religious sites of many religions. The temple in the MM Hills (Malemahadeshwara Betta) is probably the most famous one. The yearly car festival (jatre) at the MM Hills brings many devotees.
The district has its share of natural beauty. Local people and devotees revel in the beauty of the temples of the BR Hills and the much larger MM Hills. Off the beaten path, the Shivasamudram falls present a spectale as twin streams of the Kaveri river meet in a twin waterfall. Much of the southern area of the district is dense forest. This is a protected national forest, with elephants, tigers, bears, deer, and other animals. This forest is also the hideout of the famous brigand Veerappan, responsible for the death of over a hundred policeman.