Karnataka

Karnataka is a state in southwestern India and the country's technology powerhouse, home to Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India. The capital, Bengaluru, is a global IT hub, while the state also holds magnificent historic sites and varied landscapes. It blends cutting-edge industry with deep heritage.

Karnataka spans the Arabian Sea coast, the forested Western Ghats, and the elevated Deccan Plateau inland. It features rivers, waterfalls such as Jog Falls, and biodiverse forests. The climate ranges from coastal tropical to drier interior.

Kannada-speaking Karnataka has a rich cultural heritage, from Carnatic music and classical dance to the ruins of the Vijayanagara empire at Hampi. Bengaluru offers a cosmopolitan, modern culture alongside the state's ancient temple traditions.

The region was the heart of powerful kingdoms including the Vijayanagara empire, whose capital Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed on linguistic lines in 1956 and renamed Karnataka in 1973, it became India's leading center of information technology.