Generated by Llama 3.3-70B| Karnataka | |
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![]() Apadegal · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source | |
| Name | Karnataka |
| Coordinates | 15, N, 76, E |
| Established date | 1 November 1956 |
| Official languages | Kannada |
| Largest city | Bangalore |
| Governor | Thawar Chand Gehlot |
| Chief minister | Siddaramaiah |
| Legislature | Bicameral |
| Legislative assembly | Legislative Assembly (224 seats) |
| Legislative council | Legislative Council (75 seats) |
| Parliamentary constituency | Rajya Sabha (12), Lok Sabha (28) |
| High court | Karnataka High Court |
| Area total km2 | 191791 |
| Area rank | 6th |
| Population total | 61,095,297 |
| Population rank | 8th |
| Population density km2 | 319 |
| Gdp year | 2023–24 |
| Gdp nominal | ₹25.35 lakh crore |
| Gdp nominal rank | 4th |
| Gdp nominal per capita | ₹372,920 |
| Gdp nominal per capita rank | 8th |
| Hdi year | 2021 |
| Hdi | 0.706 |
| Hdi rank | 9th |
| Literacy year | 2011 |
| Literacy | 75.36% |
| Sex ratio | 973♀/1000♂ |
| Vehicle code range | KA |
Karnataka is a state in the southwestern region of India, renowned for its diverse heritage and rapid economic development. Formed on 1 November 1956 as the State of Mysore, it was renamed in 1973, with Bangalore serving as its capital and largest city. The state is a major contributor to India's IT exports, aerospace industries, and biotechnology research, while also preserving ancient traditions in classical music, Yakshagana theatre, and Hoysala architecture.
Karnataka features a varied topography, from the coastal plains of the Kanara region along the Arabian Sea to the elevated Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats. Major river systems include the Kaveri, the Krishna, the Tungabhadra, and the Sharavathi, which powers the Jog Falls. The state contains significant protected areas like Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Western Ghats. Key geographical regions include Malenadu, Bayaluseeme, and the Karavali coast, with cities such as Mysore, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Mangalore serving as important urban centers.
The region has a rich historical tapestry, beginning with powerful empires like the Kadambas, Western Gangas, and Chalukyas of Badami. The zenith of its architectural and cultural development occurred under the Hoysala Empire and the Vijayanagara Empire, whose capital Hampi is a celebrated World Heritage Site. Following the fall of Vijayanagara, the Kingdom of Mysore, ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty and later by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, became prominent. After the Anglo-Mysore Wars, the region came under British suzerainty, eventually becoming part of the Dominion of India and being reorganized along linguistic lines during the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Kannada is the official and most widely spoken language, with significant populations speaking Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, and Urdu. The state has a diverse religious composition, with Hinduism being the majority faith, followed by Islam and Christianity. Major communities include the Lingayats, Vokkaligas, and Kodavas, alongside Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Urbanization is concentrated in the Bangalore Metropolitan Region, Mysore, and Belagavi, with a high literacy rate driven by institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and the National Institute of Technology Karnataka.
Karnataka has one of India's most robust economies, anchored by the IT sector centered in Electronics City and Manyata Tech Park in Bangalore, home to global firms like Infosys and Wipro. It is a leader in aerospace and defence, with hubs in HAL and ISRO facilities. The state is also a major producer of coffee, silk (through KSIC), and granite, while its power sector leverages hydroelectric projects like the Linganamakki Dam. Important financial institutions include the Karnataka Bank and the Vijaya Bank.
The state is a cradle of Indian classical music, being the birthplace of the Carnatic music trinity and the Hindustani genre, with festivals like the Bangalore Karaga and Mysore Dasara drawing large crowds. Its distinct literary tradition is celebrated through Jnanpith Award winners like Kuvempu and Girish Karnad. Architectural marvels span from the Chalukyan temples at Pattadakal and Badami to the Mysore Palace and the Gol Gumbaz in Vijayapura. Cuisine is famous for dishes like Bisi bele bath, Ragi mudde, and Mysore pak, while traditional arts include Dollu Kunitha and Channapatna toys.
Karnataka operates as a parliamentary democracy, with a Governor as the constitutional head and a Chief Minister heading the Council of Ministers. The state legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. The judiciary is headed by the Karnataka High Court in Bangalore, with benches in Dharwad and Kalaburagi. The state sends representatives to the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, and its administration is divided into 31 districts under the oversight of the Chief Secretary.
Category:Karnataka Category:States and union territories of India