Django is widely recognized as the ultimate framework for rapid web development, thanks to its comprehensive set of built-in features that streamline the development process. One of the standout characteristics of Django is its MTV architecture (Model-Template-View), which facilitates a clear separation of concerns and allows developers to focus on different aspects of their applications without unnecessary complications. Moreover, Django’s robust ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) simplifies database interactions, enabling developers to create, read, update, and delete records with intuitive Python code rather than writing complex SQL queries.

Another aspect that makes Django indispensable for fast-paced projects is its extensive documentation and active community support. With numerous plugins and pre-built applications available, developers can quickly integrate features like authentication, form handling, and admin dashboards without reinventing the wheel. This not only accelerates the development timeline but also ensures a high level of quality and security. As a result, Django’s rapid development capability empowers teams to bring their web applications to market faster while maintaining a focus on scalability and performance.

Django is a powerful web framework that simplifies the complexities of web development. Here are 10 essential features every developer should know to enhance their productivity and efficiency:

1. ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): Django's ORM allows developers to interact with databases using Python code instead of SQL, making database manipulation straightforward and less error-prone.
2. Admin Interface: One of Django's standout features is its built-in admin interface, which provides a customizable dashboard for managing application data effortlessly.
3. Security Features: Django comes equipped with robust security mechanisms, including protection against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and cross-site request forgery.
4. Scalability: Designed to handle high-traffic applications, Django's architecture supports scaling as your project grows.
5. MTV (Model-Template-View) Architecture: This design pattern promotes separation of concerns, allowing developers to manage the data, presentation, and business logic independently.

Continuing on the journey of Django's features, consider these additional attributes that can significantly streamline your development process:

6. Template System: Django's template engine enables developers to create dynamic web pages without sacrificing separation of design and logic.
7. Integrated Testing Framework: With Django, you can easily write tests for your code using its built-in testing framework, ensuring reliability and minimizing bugs.
8. Reusable Apps: Django promotes a modular approach, allowing developers to build reusable apps that can be plugged into different projects.
9. Rich Ecosystem: The vast community surrounding Django means that numerous third-party packages are available, addressing most common needs, from payments to authentication.
10. Rapid Development: Finally, Django's 'batteries-included' philosophy allows developers to create applications quickly without having to rely on numerous external libraries.

When developing web applications with Django, enhancing performance and user experience should be a top priority. One effective way to achieve this is by utilizing middleware. Middleware components can process requests and responses globally, allowing you to implement features such as authentication, session management, and cross-site request forgery protection seamlessly. Additionally, consider optimizing your database queries using Django's QuerySet API to reduce load times and enhance overall efficiency, which can be achieved through techniques like select_related and prefetch_related.

Another essential aspect of enhancing your web applications is to focus on security best practices. Django comes with built-in features that help safeguard your application, such as the CSRF and XSS protection. Ensure you keep the Django framework up to date to benefit from the latest security patches. Moreover, consider implementing SSL certificates to encrypt data between the user's browser and your server. Finally, make sure to use proper input validation techniques and sanitize user inputs to prevent potential attacks, ensuring your application remains robust and secure.