Karnataka is one of the four Southern States of India. Bangalore City is the State Capital with a population of more than one Million. Bangalore City has become the major hub for Information Technology & Bio-Technology. Other major cities in Karnataka State include Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary and Belgaum.

The name Karnataka is derived from "Karu" + "Nadu" meaning "Elevated Land" and was made official on the 1st November 1973.

Rajyotsava Day (Formation Day), Mysore State was enlarged to its present boundaries, incorporating the State of Coorg and the Kannada-speaking portions of neighbouring Madras, Hyderabad, and Bombay States, with an elected Chief Minister and State Assembly.

Karnataka is surrounded by the Arabian Sea to the West, Goa to the Northwest, Maharashtra to the North, Andhra Pradesh to the East, Tamil Nadu to the East and Southeast, and Kerala to the Southwest. It is situated at an angle where the Western and Eastern mountain ranges of Southern India converge into the Nilgiri Hills.

Karnataka's manifold attractions include everything that could interest the tourists. Bandipur, Nagarahole, Dandeli and the Ranganathittu Bird's Sanctuary, which is 5 Kms away from Srirangapatna, hill stations at Nandi Hills, Kemmannagundi and Mercara, beach resorts at Karwar, Ullal, Malpe and Maravanthe, the world famous Brindavan Gardens at Krishnarajasagara, the monolithic statue of Gommateshwara at Sharavanabelagola, Gol Gumbaz with it's whispering gallery at Bijapur, the Jog falls and other water falls at Shivanasamudram, Magod, Unchelli or Lushington near Siddapur, Lalguli at Yallapur and other places indicate the variety and richness of the attractions that Karnataka State holds out to the tourists. The temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal in Bijapur district have great significance for all lovers of art. The temples of Halebid, Belur and Somanathapura are great architectural achievements - the likes of which are rarely seen in any part of the world. The profusion of artistic skill is bewildering in it's range and exquisiteness. At Hampi one can see Indian sculpture in all its richness and vitality.

The Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim-Roza at Bijapur, the Daria Daulat Bagh (Summer Palace) of Tippu Sultan at Srirangapatna, the Khwaja Bandenawaz Darga at Gulbarga are some remarkable monuments. The churches at Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore and Bijapur add to Karnataka's attractions. With all these manifold attractions a visit to Karnataka State is always memorable.