Belgaum is one of the oldest cities of the Western Ghat region, located at an average elevation of about 2400 feet. The population of the city is 5,00,000 and the majority speak Kannada, the native and official language. As per the 2011 census, Belagavi / Belgaum district has a total population of 4.7 million, out of which 44 percent constitute the working age population. 65 percent of the workers participate in the agricultural sector, 3 percent in the household industry and 32 percent in services and industry. Since majority of the working age population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities, this area is an important source of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, milk etc. There are a number of units for textile production and readymade garments. After the Yadava and the Hoysala dynasties, the region came under the Vijayanagar Empire, developing into a major trading hub. It also served as one of military stations during the British Raj because of its close proximity Portuguese Goa.
