Located on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, Karnataka is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest.
The geography of Karnataka is broadly divided into three distinct zones: the coastal region (Karavali), the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats (Malenadu or Malnad), and the expansive plains of the Deccan Plateau (Bayalu Seeme). The state is drained by two major river systems: the Krishna and its tributaries in the north, and the Kaveri (Cauvery) in the south. These rivers, along with others like the Tungabhadra and Sharavathi, are crucial for drinking water, agriculture, and hydroelectric power.
Karnataka boasts rich biodiversity, particularly in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The state is heavily forested in these areas, featuring national parks such as Bandipur, Nagarhole, and Bannerghatta, which provide vital sanctuaries for tigers, Asian elephants, and diverse avian species.