Dakshina Kannada, also called South Kannada, South Kanara, or South Canara, is a district of India's Karnataka state. Mangalore is the capital and chief city of the district. The population of the district is 1,896,403 (2001 census). The population of the district increased 14.51% from 1991 to 2001, and 15.98% in the 1981-1991 period. Dakshina Kannada District is divided into five taluks, Mangalore, Bantwal , Puttur, Sullia, and Belthangady .

Dakshina Kannada district used to include three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal , but these taluks were separated in August 1997 to form Udupi district. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are often called Tulu Nadu, as Tulu is the majority language in the region.