Mangalore ( Kannada : ಮಂಗಳೂರು / Mangalooru ; Tulu : Kudla / ಕುಡ್ಲ ; Konkani: Kodial / ಕೊಡಿಯಾಲ್ ; Beary : Maikala / ಮೈಕಲ ), [ IPA : United Kingdom RP - mæŋælɒɹɛ ; United States GA - mæŋælɑɹɛ ; Australia AuE - mæŋælɑɹe ; New Zealand NZE - mɛŋɛlɒɹe ] pronunciation is the chief port city of the state of Karnataka, India. It is situated on the west coast of the country on the Arabian Sea, with the Western Ghats to Mangalore's east. Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) district in the southwestern corner of Karnataka, and developed as a port on the Arabian Sea - to this day it remains one of the major ports of India. Lying on the backwaters formed by the Netravati and Gurupura rivers, it has long been a roadstead along the Malabar Coast. Mangalore is known for its beaches, temples and industries. There are several languages spoken there, including Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, and Beary. The landscape is dominated by the characteristic coconut palms accompanying rolling hills and streams flowing into the sea. The landscape is dotted with tiled-roof buildings, topped with the famous Mangalore tiles made with the local hard red clay and typically walled with laterite blocks. Older houses are commonly found with elaborate wood-work.