Area	:	1,91,791 sq km		State Government Portal
	Population	:	52,850,562
	Capital	:	Bangalore
	Principal Languages	:	Kannada

History and Geography
Karnataka has a written history of more than 2,000 years. Apart from its subjection to the rule of the Nandas, Mauryas, and the Shatavahanas, Karnataka came to have indigenous dynasties like the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas from the middle of the 4th century AD. Gomateshwara monolith at Sharavanabelagola was installed by a Ganga minister Chavundaraya. The Chalukyas of Badami (500-735 AD) ruled over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609-642 AD), who even defeated Harshavardhana of Kannauj. This dynasty created fine monuments at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, both structural and rock-cut. Aihole has been one of the cradles of temple architecture in the country. The Rashtrakutas (753-973 AD) of Malkhed, who succeeded them, levied tribute on the rulers of Kannauj successively in the so-called Age of Imperial Kannauj'. Kannada literature developed during this period. Outstanding Jain scholars of India lived in their court. The Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 to 1189 AD) and their feudatories, the Hoysalas of Halebidu built fine temples, encouraged literature and fine arts. Noted jurist Vijnaneshwara (work: Mitakshara ) lived at Kalyana. Great religious leader Basaveshwara was a minister at Kalyana. Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646) fostered indigenous traditions and encouraged arts, religion and literature in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Overseas trade also flourished during their rule. The Bahamani Sultans (Capital: Gulbarga, later Bidar) and the Bijapur Adilshahis raised fine Indo-Saracenic buildings and encouraged Urdu and Persian literature. Advent of the Portuguese resulted in the introduction of new crops (tobacco, maize, chillies, groundnut, potato, etc.). After the fall of the Peshwa (1818) and Tipu (1799), Karnataka came under the British control. Christian missionaries introduced English education and printing during the 19th century. Revolution in transport, communication and industries was evident, making way for the emergence of the urban middle-class. Mysore dynasty helped industrialisation and cultural growth. Freedom Movement was followed by the movement for the unification of Karnataka. After Indian independence, the new united Mysore State was created in 1956, and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

Karnataka lies to the south of Goa and Maharashtra, to the west of Andhra Pradesh, to the north-west of Tamil Nadu and to the north of Kerala. It has a sea-coast of nearly 400 km (300 km with inundations).

Karnataka enjoys a prominent position on the horticultural map of India. The State is blessed with natural resources, favourable agro-climatic conditions and enterprising farming community, which offer scope for an all-round development of horticulture. It is the first state to establish a large scale Biotechnology Centre under public sector to cater to the needs of farmers of the state with an objective to produce quality-plant materials and conserve the genetic diversity of horticulture plants.

Irrigation
Karnataka has the basins of the Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari, North Pennar, South Pennar, Palar and west flowing river basins with a drainage area of 1,90,500 sq km. The average annual yield of the rivers has been estimated as 97,325 M.cum. The ultimate irrigation potential of the State from all sources has been estimated at about 55 lakh hectares, consisting of 35 lakh hectares under major and medium, 10 lakh hectares under minor irrigation (surface) projects and 12 lakh hectares under groundwater resources.

The total installed generation capacity of the State is 5,567 MW. This includes 4,696 MW from the generating stations of KPCL (including 350 MW of VVNL) and 871 MW under private sector.

The state has achieved 100 per cent in village electrification. Now the main thrust is on electrification of hamlets.

Industry
Karnataka is one among the most preferred destinations for foreign investments in India, and houses 65 of worlds fortune 500 companies. The State's share in India's FDI is more than 8 per cent and ranks fourth in the list of Indian States attracting FDI.

The State is home for every sector of Industry such as, Information Technology, Bio-technology, Electronics, Telecom, Aerospace, Processed Foods, Apparel, Automobiles, Banking and Finance, Mining, Steel, Cement and much more.

The State contributes 70 per cent of India's coffee and silk, 20 per cent of Electronic hardware and 35 per cent of software for exports, 12 per cent of Readymade garments for exports and is a major producer of spices, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

It offers quality R & D facilities with world-renowned institutions doing innovative work at the cutting edge of technology in the field of space aviation, advanced computing, food, bio-technology and many more.

Karnataka has a progressive industrial policy in place that actively supports public-private partnership. Sector specific policies, viz., I.T. Policy, B.T. Policy, B.P.O. Policy, Tourism Policy, Agro Food Processing Policy and Export Promotion Policy are in place for focused backing. The United Nations Human Development Report-2000 recognizes the city as the fourth leading global hub of technological innovation in the world.

Minerals
Karnataka is endowed with rich mineral deposits. All minerals except hydrocarbons are available in the State. Important minerals are gold iron ore, copper, manganese, chromite, limestone, clay, kaonite, silica sand, moulding sand, felsite, quartzite and ornamental granites, etc. The State is getting about Rs 170 crore as royalty on minerals produced in the State.

Information Technology
Karnatakathe Silicon State is the most favoured destination for IT and other knowledge based industries. The State has the most investor-friendly policy. Apart from Mahiti, the millennium IT policy, the State Government has recently announced e-Governance policy. The State has taken major initiatives in the e-governance area. It has computerised all treasuries.

Transport

Roads: There are 13 National Highways in Karnataka State. The total length is 3,728 km. Out of 13 National Highways, 2 National Highways viz., NH.4 and NH.7 are handed over to National Highways Authority of India, New Delhi, for making improvements under Golden Quadrilateral and North-South corridor respectively. The remaining 3,008 km comprising of 11 National Highways are improved/maintained by Government of India.

Railways: Rail network in Karnataka is 3,100 km, which includes broad gauge (2,450 km), metre gauge (350 km).

Aviation: Bangalore, Belgaum, Mangalore and Hubli are the main airports. Direct flight facilities to major cities of India are available from Bangalore.

Ports: New Mangalore port and Karwar port are the main all-weather seaports in Karnataka, which mainly handle cargo vessels. Special facilities for export of Kudremukh iron ore and to handle crude, coal, LPG, etc., have been developed at New Mangalore port. Dry cargo handling facilities and liquid cargo handling facilities along with storage facility are also available at Karwar port.

Tourist Attraction
Karnataka has numerous Tourist attractions. The former princely capital Mysore with the Brindavan Gardens and Srirangapattana nearby, Sharavanabelgola with the famous monolithic statue of Gomateshwara (57 ft high), Belur, Halebid and Somnathpura with the famous Hoysala monuments; Badami, Aihole and Pattadkal for the 1,300 year old rock-cut and structural temples; Hampi, the famous open air museum (ancient Vijayanagar); Gulbarga, Bidar and Bijapur, renowned for their Indo-saracenic monuments; Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada Districts for beautiful beaches; Mangalore and Krwar for ports; Chitradurga, Bidar, Basavakalyan and Gulbarga with attractive forts; Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park are the play ground of Wild Life; Ranganthittu, Kokkre Bellur, Mandagadde, Gudavi, Attiveri are the famous bird sanctuaries; Jog, Sathodi,

Shivanasamudra, Mogod, Gokak, Abbey, Unchalli. Irupu, Hebbe, Kalhatti are the mesmerising Falls; Madikeri, Kemmannugundi, B.R. Hills, Nandi Hills, Kudremukh, Kodachadri are the Picturesque Hill Stations. Dussehra, Hampi, Chalukya, Kadamba, Hoysala, Kodagu, Karaga festivals, are depicting art and culture of Karnataka. Kabini River Lodge, K. Gudi, Cauveri Fishing Camp, D handeli Wilderness Camp, Devbagh are the unique Eco-Tourism projects of Karnataka. Gokarna, Udupi, Dharmashala, Melukote, Gangappura, Saundatti, Kollur, Sringeri, Horanadu, Kalasa, Kukke Subramanya, Yediyur, Koodalasangama, Ulvi, Nanjangud are famous pilgrimage centres. Tourism Department has identified 215 tourist spots in the State. The capital city of Bangalore is also a tourist attraction with its famous huge granite structure. Vidhana Soudha and the beautiful Cubbon Park, and Lalbhag. Hampi and Pattadakal have been declared as World Heritage sites.

Hampi - World Heritage Site

View exhaustive collection of pictures on India at Photo Gallery section.

Vidhana Soudha-Bangalore

View exhaustive collection of pictures on India at Photo Gallery section.