Django is an exceptional web framework that stands out for its ability to facilitate rapid web development. With its 'batteries-included' philosophy, Django provides developers with a comprehensive suite of tools and features right out of the box. This means that, instead of spending countless hours building components from scratch, developers can leverage built-in functionalities such as authentication, database management, and form handling. Furthermore, Django's modular architecture allows for easy integration with various third-party packages, significantly speeding up the development process while ensuring that best practices are maintained.

One of the defining features of Django is its emphasis on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern, which promotes a clear separation of concerns. This structure not only makes the codebase more organized and maintainable but also allows teams to collaborate efficiently without stepping on each other's toes. Additionally, Django's powerful ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) enables developers to interact with databases using intuitive Python code instead of cumbersome SQL queries. This combination of a solid architectural foundation and advanced database management tools makes Django the ultimate framework for anyone looking to accelerate their web development journey.

Django is often hailed as the Swiss Army Knife for developers due to its versatile set of features. Here are 10 key features that contribute to its reputation:

1. MTV Architecture: Django follows the Model-Template-View architecture, providing a clear separation of concerns and facilitating code organization.
2. Built-in Admin Interface: A powerful, automatically-generated admin dashboard allows developers to manage application data effortlessly without building a custom interface from scratch.
3. Robust Security Features: Django comes with robust security measures, including protection against cross-site scripting, cross-site request forgery, and SQL injection.

Continuing with the list of features, we have:

4. ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): Django's ORM allows seamless database interactions using Python code instead of SQL, which simplifies database manipulation.
5. Scalability: Django is designed to handle high-traffic applications, making it suitable for projects of any size.
6. Comprehensive Documentation: The extensive documentation and community support ensure developers can easily find solutions and best practices.
7. Support for Multiple Databases: Django supports various databases, giving developers the freedom to choose the best fit for their projects.
8. Exceptional Template System: The template engine facilitates the creation of dynamic HTML content, enhancing user experience.
9. RESTful Framework: Django REST framework enables the creation of web APIs effortlessly, allowing for easy integration with other services.

Getting started with Django is an exciting step towards becoming a proficient web developer. Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. To begin, you need to set up your development environment. Follow these steps:

1. Install Python: Ensure that Python is installed on your system. Django is built on Python, so you must have it up and running.
2. Install Django: Once Python is in place, use the package manager pip to install Django by running the command pip install Django in your terminal.
3. Create a Project: After the installation, start a new project using the command django-admin startproject projectname. Replace 'projectname' with your desired project name.

Once your project is created, it's time to dive into Django's powerful features. Understanding the MVT (Model-View-Template) architecture is crucial for effective development. Models define the data structure, Views handle the logic, and Templates manage the presentation of the data to users. Here's what to focus on next:

1. Learn how to create models in Django to represent the data you wish to store.
2. Familiarize yourself with views to control the data flow and incorporate templates for a complete web experience.
3. Explore Django's rich ecosystem with built-in tools for URL routing, form handling, and user authentication.