Kanara

The Kanara or Canara region, which is also known as Coastal Karnataka, comprises three coastal districts of Karnataka, namely Uttara Kannada(North Canara), Udupi and Dakshina Kannada(South Canara). Kanara forms the southern part of the Konkan coast. The length of this region from north to south is around 300 kilometres (190 mi) and width varies from 30 to 110 kilometres (19 to 68 mi). The region is characterised by swaying palms and swift brooks running towards the Arabian Sea.

Etymology

According to legend, Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu, retrieved Kanara from the sea by throwing his axe into the sea. The sea fell back to the place where his axe fell. Hence, the region is sometimes called Parshurama Kshetra.

According to historian Severino da Silva the ancient names for this region are Kol Kannam (Tamil: no man's land) or Parashuram Srashti (creation of Parashuram). He and Stephen Fuchs say that the name Canara is the invention of Portuguese, Dutch and English people who visited the area for trade from the early 16th century onwards. The Bednore Dynasty, under whose rule this tract was at that time, was known to them as the Kannada Dynasty, i.e., the dynasty speaking the Kannada language. The letter 'd' being always pronounced like 'r' by the Europeans, the district was named by them Kanara (or Kannada). This name was retained by the British after their occupation of the district in 1799, and has remained ever since. However, they also say that this issue is controversial.

Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)

Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency (formerly known as Kanara Lok Sabha constituency) is one of the 28 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Karnataka state in southern India. Following the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies in 2008, the constituency was renamed, Ankola legislative assembly segment was abolished and a new legislative assembly segment, Yellapur came into existence.

Assembly segments

Before delimitation in 2008, the erstwhile Kanara Lok Sabha constituency comprised the following eight Legislative Assembly segments:

Presently, after delimitation, Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency comprises the following eight Legislative assembly segments:

Six Legislative Assembly segments: Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Yellapur, Sirsi and Haliyal are in Uttara Kannada district and two Legislative Assembly segments: Kittur and Khanapur are in Belgaum district.