KARNATAKA PLATEAU

plateau in Karnataka state, southern India. The name of the plateau is derived from Karnad (Land of Black Soil). The plateau has an area of about 73,000 sq mi (189,000 sq km) and an average elevation of about 2,600 ft (800 m). It consists of the Dharwar system of volcanic rocks, crystalline schists, and granites. The major rivers include the Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Sharavati, and Bhima. The Sharavati has the highest (830 ft) waterfall in India, known as Jog Falls. These falls are the largest single source of hydroelectric power in the country and are also a major tourist attraction. The plateau merges with the Nilgiri Hills in the south. Rainfall varies from 80 in. (2,030 mm) in the southern hills to 28 in. in the northern region. Sandalwood is exported, and teak and eucalyptus are used chiefly to make furniture and paper. Manganese, chromium, copper, and bauxite are mined. There are large reserves of iron ore in the Baba Budan hills and gold in the Kolar Gold Fields. Jowar (sorghum), cotton, rice, sugarcane, sesame seeds, peanuts (groundnuts), tobacco, fruits, coconuts, and coffee are the major crops. Textile manufacturing, food and tobacco processing, and printing are the principal industries. Bangalore, capital of Karnataka state, is the site of most of the industrial development. Important towns include Mysore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bellary, and Bijapur.