ABOUT BENGALURU (BANGALORE)
Bengaluru (Bangalore) is the capital of Karnataka. Once best known for its lovely climate, sedate lifestyle and gracious hospitality, Bangalore has been through a rapid metamorphosis as it leaped into the 21st century.

With its salubrious climate, tree-lined avenues, trendy, yuppy downtown, and the software flood, Bangalore truly offers one a picture of striking contrasts. There are old beautiful bungalows, parks, hallowed places of worship and traditional market-places on the one hand, balancing with fashionable shopping malls, pubs, new architectural wonders and modern looking religious centres on the other.

Bangalore is the fifth largest city in India and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is a centre of education, scientific research and technology. Bangalore's strategic location, the increasing number of industries and MNCs within its borders and its excellent infrastructure and facilities make it the business capital of South India. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a rich history and a fine blend of traditional Indian culture and modern technological advancements.

With a youthful, upwardly mobile population, Bangalore wears the look of a city for the young. Its roads are busy; its awesome variety of restaurants, pubs, "coffee bars" and stores are full.

But modernization has not changed the essential character of the city. It still has the old-world warmth and hospitality for which it was known and loved. And, while colonial bungalows may have made way for multi-storied buildings, it is still a city of lakes, parks and gardens, trees and flowers. Bangalore is aptly called India's Garden City.

Area: 484 sq km

Altitude: 3000 ft above sea level

Geographical Location: Latitudinal Parallels: 12 degree 8' N, Longitudinal Meridians: 77 degree 37' E
Bangalore lies in the Southeast quadrant of the state at 12 degrees 8 minutes N Latitude and 77 degree 37 minutes East Longitude. As much as 119 sq km of the city is covered with lakes and tanks- Floor Lake, Kempambudhi Tank, Sankey's Tank, Sampangi Tank are to name a few.

Climate & Seasons: There are four main seasons that are characterized by different climatic conditions. Located at an altitude of 920metres (3,021 ft.), Bangalore boasts pleasant and moderate weather throughout the year with a highest temperature of around 35°C (100°F) and the lowest around 12°C (54°F). Evenings are cool and pleasant throughout the year. Although Bangalore has pleasant weather throughout year but winter is the best time to visit the city.

Summer - March to May (warmest months)
Monsoon - Average rainfall 87cms
June to September (rainy - South-West Monsoon)
October to December (rainy - North-East Monsoon)
Winter - December to February (coldest months)

Mercury level: Maximum : 33 degree C, Minimum : 14 degree C

Languages: Kannada, English, Hindi, Telegu and Tamil

Religion: Population is predominantly Hindu. But all faiths are observed here and people live with great cooperation and respect for each other's faith.

Literacy Rate: 85.74%

Population: around 7.2 million

Airport: Bangalore, with its brand new International Airport is easily accessible from all major cities of the World and is well networked with other Indian Cities.

Bangalore international Airport, known as 'HAL Airport' is situated on Airport Road and well within the city- about 8kms from M.G.Road - the city centre. A busy Airport with over 70 international and domestic flight landings everyday, this airport is divided into two terminals.

Travel to the city by tourist taxi takes about 20 minutes and costs about Rs.180. Prepaid taxi service are also available. An auto rickshaw, charging about Rs.80 takes nearly the same time.

Terminal I contain the Departure lounge for the Domestic Flights and Terminal II is for Arrival of Domestic Flights. International Terminal handles Departure and Arrival of International flights. The airport is a major hub in South Zone for traveling and for the feeder routes.

The main airlines operating are Indian Airlines and Air India. The Departure area contains elevators to take the luggage to the Indian Airlines/Air-India Counters. It also has Child Welfare Room. The security section is well appointed with cushioned chairs. Small refreshment counter and foreign exchange service counters are also present. You will find several porters to take your luggage to your cab or taxi.

Domestic Airports
Indian Airlines - 140,141, 2221 1914
Jet Airways - 22522 1929
Sahara Airlines - 2522 3286
Deccan Airways - 2525 0429
International Airports Air India - 2227 7747
Air France - 2558 9397
Australian Airways - 2558 5394
Lufthansa - 2558 8791

Agriculture: Bangalore is often called as the 'Fruit market of the South'. Grapes, mangoes, bananas, custard apple, sapodilla, jackfruit, melons and guavas are grown here.

Telecommunications: International dialing code: ++91, Local area code for Bangalore : 080