SW India, bordering on the Arabian Sea. Known until 1973 as Mysore, it is bordered on the N by the states of Goa and Maharashtra, on the E by Andhra Pradesh, on the S by Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and on the W by the Arabian Sea. The capital is Bangalore . These plus its many rivers are used for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
Coffee is the major crop, but cotton, millet, sugarcane, rice, and fodder are also grown.
The state has the most valuable sandalwood forests in India. Karnataka produces nearly all of India's gold and chromite and has considerable deposits of iron ore and manganese. There is an excellent road and railway system, and the state manufactures steel and steel products, computer components and software, automobiles, and airplanes. The linguistic uniformity of the state and its excellent education system contribute to one of India's highest literacy rates. From the 3d to the 11th cent.