Key Facts

• Situated in the Southwestern region of India.
• It is the largest state in South India and the sixth largest in the entire country.
• Bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the south.
• The only southern state in India with land borders connecting all of the other four southern states.
• Known as the “Silicon Valley of India,” with Bengaluru as its tech hub.
• Located on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau.
• The southern part of Karnataka produces over 90% of India’s gold, including historic gold mines like Kolar Gold Fields and Hatti Gold Mines.
• Raichur is renowned for its silver deposits.
• Significant iron ore extraction takes place in Hospet and Bellary.
• Karnataka boasts the largest reserves of manganese ore in the country.
• Leading in the production of raw silk, coffee, and sandalwood products.
• Sharavan Belagola is a prominent Jain pilgrimage center, featuring an approximately 18-meter high statue of Gomateshwara (Bahubali).
• The largest producer of Ragi (finger millet) in India.
• Prominent for its production of raw silk.
• Home to the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant (Uttara Kannada), utilizing Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors, located near the Kali River.
• Abundant in resources, including 78% of vanadium ore, 74% of iron ore (Magnetite), and 42% of tungsten.
• A leader in the biotechnology sector, with India’s largest biocluster, housing 158 out of 320 biotechnology firms in the nation.
• Karnataka accounts for 75% of India’s floriculture, supplying flowers and ornamental plants globally.
• The Haridasa movement of the 16th century played a significant role in the development of Karnataka (Carnatic) music as a performing art form, with Purandara Dasa being one of the most revered Haridasas.

State Animal / Bird / Tree / Flower

• Asian Elephant
• Indian Roller
• Sandalwood
• Lotus

Ethnic Group

•  Paliyan, Ulladan, Hill Pulaya, Rular, Kattunayakan, Koraga, Mudugar, Kadar

Rivers

• Kaveri
• Tungabhadra
• Kabini
• Krishna
• Sharavathi

Physical Division

• Coastal Karnataka (includes the coastal district of Uttar Kannada, Udupi, Dakshin Kannada)
• The Malnad (Comprising the Western Ghats)
• The Maidan (Plain regions)

Principal Geographical Zones

• The coastal region of Karavali and Tulu Nadu
• The hilly Malenadu region comprising the Western Ghats
• The Bayaluseeme region comprising the plains of the Deccan Plateau

Ecosystem

• Reserved forests
• Protected forests
• Unclassified forests
• Villages forests
• Private forests

Geographical Features

• Mountains (North to South): Horti Hills, Jamkhandi hills, Bagalkot, Gokak, Badami, Babubudan, Closepet, Melagiris, Bilgiri range

Protected Areas

• Bandipur National Park
• Anshi National Park
• Kudermukh National Park
• Nagarahole National Park
• Bannerghatta National Park
• Mudumalai National Park
• Bhimgad WLS
• Rangayyanadurga WLS
• Chincholi WLS
• Gudejote (Sloth Bear sanctuary) WLS
• Ramadevarabetta WLS
• BRT Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhadra Tiger Reserve

Biosphere Reserves

• Nilgiri BR

Heritage Sites

• Group of Monuments at Hampi
• Group of monuments in Pattadakal

GI Tags

• Mysore silk
• Agarbati
• Bidrivare
• Channapatna toys
• Rosewood inlays of Mysore
• Nanjanagad banana
• Mysore Vidya page
• Coorg Orange
• Kasuti embroidery
• Mysore sandalwood soap/oil
• Ganjifa cards of Mysore
• Navalgund carpet
• Carnatic brass utensils
• Mysore Mallige
• Udupi Mallige
• Hadgali Mallige
• Irakal saree
• Molkalmuru saree
• Coorg’s green cardamom
• Dharwad Pedha
• Peppercorns
• Devanhalli Papanas
• Appamidi Mango
• Kamalpur red banana
• Sandur Lamani embroidery
• Kinhal Toys
• Udupi Saree
• Sirsi betel nut

Festivals

• Kambla (Buffalo race)
• Ugadi (New Year day)
• Hampi festival
• Vairamudi Brahmotsava
• Tulu Sankramma
• Gowri
• Karaga
• Mysore Dasara

Dance Forms

• Yakshagana
• Nagamandala
• Kunitha
• Krishna Parijatha
• Bhootha Aradhane
• Veeragase
• Kamsale
• Kolata
• Dollu Kunitha

Art Forms

• Gamaka (classical music genre)
• Bidri
• Chitragars’ wood chiselling
• Specialized card game Ganjifa.

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