Kolar District is located on the southern plains of
Karnataka. It was once the capital of Ganga Kings. It has an area of 3,180 sq km. Kolar is famous for its gold mines. Extraction of gold began in this region in 1876. The main industries of the region are blanket weaving, silk weaving, sugar manufacturing and the breeding of turkeys.
The major crops are groundnuts, red gram, cowpea, field beans, greengram, jowar, maize and castor. The main rivers flowing are Palar, South Pinakini or Pennar, North Pinakini, and Papagani. Kolar District has hills covered with scrub, jungle and brushwood. The main tourist attraction is the historic hill fort of Nandidrug, Nandi Hills.
