Bengaluru formerly called Bangalore, is the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. As per the 2011 census, the city had a population of more than 8.4 million, making it the third most populous city in India and the most populous in South India. The Bengaluru metropolitan area had a population of around 10.5 million, making it the fourth most populous urban agglomeration in the country. It is located near the center of the Deccan Plateau, at a height of over 900 m above sea level. The city is known as India's "Garden City", due to its parks and greenery.