Garden City

Bangalore is Asia's Silicon Valley because of its thriving information technology industry. Bangalore is India's fifth - largest and fastest - growing city. Until its high-tech boom began in the late 1980s, it was known as the Garden City, with greenery flourishing in its pleasant, temperate climate. Today with a growing population of young professionals, it has acquired a vibrant, cosmopolitan air. Bangalore was founded in the 16th century by a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda, but derives its name from the Kannada word benda kaluru, or "boiled beans", which an old woman gave a 10th century Hoysala King when he turned up hungry at her doorstep.