Mangalore is one of the fastest growing cities in country and important city in Karnataka. It is recognized as the educational hub because of its easy accessibility through road, railway, air, and sea transport. Mangalore is bound in the east by the Western Ghats and in the west by the Arabian Sea.

Educational hub:

Mangalore has housed diverse educational courses ranging from health, Management, Hospitality, technical and many more. Mangalore is a much preferred destination for higher education particularly professional courses in the world map. It hosts 20 Engineering Colleges, 5 Medical Colleges and a number of other institutes. Students from all over the world flock to Mangalore in pursuit of quality education.

The commercial hub & IT hub:

Mangalore is known all over the world by its commercial activities. Mangalore is developing as the 2nd major IT hub in the state next to Bangalore. The inception of the nationalized banks such as Corporation Bank, Canara Bank, Vijaya Bank and Karnataka bank are the important milestones in the history of Mangalore. Mangalore is the home for many IT companies notably Infosys, Mphasis, Wipro. Mangalore refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), Mangalore Chemicals and fertilizers Ltd. (MCF), Kudurmukh ironore company ltd (KIOCL), Mangalore port trust.

A tourist destination:

The picturesque city of Mangalore is nestled between Arabian Sea and Western Ghats. The city lies on the backwaters at the convergence of the Nethravati and Gurpura rivers. The surrounding areas comprise of hills and valleys. These Physical features of Mangalore have gifted the city with unprecedented charm and beauty. This city in Karnataka is a unique blend of culture, religion and relaxation. The beaches in Mangalore attract tourists from all over the globe. The spectacular beauty with which Mangalore greets the visitors makes it difficult for them to leave the city. Mangalore is often referred as the entry point to the beach country. Its unspoilt beaches have been catering to the travelers for ages. Like all other amazing beaches of Karnataka, the beaches at Mangalore are blessed with natural beauty. The most famous beach here is the Ullal beach. The waters at this beach are gentle and azure, just like that of the Arabian Sea. On the fringes of the city the tourists can explore two more beaches - Malpe beach and Maravante beach. The main attraction of Mangalore beaches is its serenity. The cool breeze at the sea side is enough to dispel all worries and anxieties. Apart from the beaches of Mangalore there are other attractions as well. These include renowned Temples, Churches and Mosques.

Geography and climate

Mangalore is located at in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. It has an average elevation of 22 metres (72 ft) above mean sea level. It is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district, the largest urban coastal center of Karnataka, and the fourth largest city in the state. Mangalore is situated on the west coast of India, and is bounded by Arabian Sea to its west and the Western Ghats to its east. Mangalore city, as a municipal entity, spans an area of 132.45 km2 (51.14 sq mi). Mangalore experiences moderate to gusty winds during day time and gentle winds at night. The topography of the city ranges from plain to undulating, with several hills, valleys and flat areas within the city. The geology of the city is characterized by hard laterite in hilly tracts and sandy soil along the seashore. The Geological Survey of India has identified Mangalore as a moderately earthquake-prone urban centre and categorized the city in the Seismic III Zone. Mangalore lies on the backwaters of the Netravati and Gurupura rivers. These rivers effectively encircle the city, with the Netravti flowing at the south of the city, and the Gurupura flowing at the north of the city. The rivers form an estuary at the southern region of the city and subsequently flow into the Arabian sea. The city is often used as a staging point for traffic along the Malabar Coast. The coastline of the city is dotted with several beaches, such as Mukka, Panambur, Tannirbavi, Suratkal, and Someshwara. Coconut trees, palm trees, and Ashoka trees comprise the primary vegetation of the city.

Mangalore has a tropical climate; summer and winter months experience similar temperate conditions, with average temperatures ranging from 27 °C (81 °F) to 34 °C (93 °F). Humidity is approximately 78% on average, and peaks during May, June and July. The maximum average humidity is 93% in July and average minimum humidity is 56% in January. Under the Köppen climate classification, Manglore belongs to the Tropical/megathermal zone and is under the direct influence of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West monsoon. It receives about 90% of its total annual rainfall within a period of about six months from May to October, while remaining extremely dry from December to March. The annual precipitation in Mangalore is 4,242.5 millimetres (167 in).

The most pleasant months in Mangalore are from December to February, during which time the humidity and heat are at their lowest. During this period, temperatures during the day stay below 30 °C (86 °F) and drop to about 19 °C (66 °F) at night. This season is soon followed by a hot summer, from March to May, when temperatures rise as high as 38 °C (100 °F). The summer gives way to the monsoon season, when the city experiences more precipitation than most urban centres in India, due to the Western Ghats. Rainfall up to 4,000 millimetres (157 in) could be recorded during the period from June to September. The rains subside in September, with the occasional rainfall in October.

Click here to know more about Mangalore City