CHIKMAGALUR

town, southwestern Karnataka state, southern India. The town serves as a major centre for coffee processing and trading. Fertilizer is treated there for use in the local coffee, cardamom, and pepper estates. The surrounding region has a natural wealth of forested highlands (mostly the Western Ghats) that are sources of teak and provide shelter for extensive coffee plantations. Lacquer ware and rattan products are the principal local handicrafts. Pop. (1981) 60,582.