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Bangalore is Located on the southern Deccan Plateau at an altitude of 920 metres, Bangalore is the administrative and commercial capital of Karnataka and has an area of 225 square km. Bangalore is known for its salubrious climate where temperatures remain moderate through out the year. The maximum temperature in June is around 300C and the minimum around 220C. It is connected by air, rail and road to all major cities of the country and has direct international connections to many cities worldwide. It has a population of 7.2 million, of whom 38 per cent are native Kannada speakers, the main language of Karnataka. Tamil and Telugu speaking groups are substantial minorities while there has been a sizeable influx of Hindi speakers from the northern states in recent years.
Today, Bangalore is one of the world's most prominent centres for software development and is the hub of India's aerospace, electronics and biotechnology industries. Touted as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is home to software giants and has a budding biotech sector industry. Known as the world's 'back office', Bangalore accounts for a third of India's $41 billion software exports. About 1,500 technology and business process outsourcing companies employ nearly 4,00,000 people. The city is also home to about 1,000 garment units which employ over 3,00,000 people, earning export revenues of more than $1 billion annually.
The clean and spacious city of Bangalore has many imposing structures full of historic and modern architecture. The majestic Vidhana Soudha, a magnificent post-independence structure housing the State legislature and Secretariat, stands in the center of the city with its attractive dome and galleries. It is sheer delight to see the illuminated Soudha during nights on Sundays and Holidays.
The city has several institutions of Learning and Research. Many of them such as the Indian Institute of Science, Raman Research Institute, National Institute of Mental health and Neuro-Sciences, National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore University have worldwide acclaim. The high-tech industries such as Aerospace, Electronics, Computers and now fast spreading software have made Bangalore their home due to easy access to a vast pool of scientists and engineers in the city. In the area of art and culture too, the city boasts of a rich heritage and tradition and has several schools of classical music and dance.
The city abounds in picturesque parks and gardens and other scenic spots. The extensive stretch of green land of Cubbon Park and the enchanting botanical gardens with Glass-House of Lal-Bagh, both situated right in the middle of the metropolis, lend all the charming grandeur to the city. About 20 Km from the city is situated the Bannerghatta National Park. It is a dry decidious forest which has abundant variety of trees like Neem, Sandal, Tamarind and Jalari. This park is inhabited by the Asian Elephants, leopards, Sloth Bears, Chital, Sambar, Monitor Lizards, Pangolin, Vipers, Cobras, Macaques, Porcupines, Mongoose, etc and lot of bird species are also to be found in this park. Moreover the best time to visit the park is between September and October.
Bangalore boasts of some of the oldest, and most beautiful temples in the country. The Venkataramanaswamy Temple is a 300 year old temple. Another impressive temple is the Gavi Gangadhareswara temple, an unusual cave temple. It has been designed in such a manner so that the rays of the sun pass between the horns of a Nandi Bull placed outside the temple, and thereby, illuminate the image of Lord Shiva.
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