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Coastal Andhra

Coordinates: 15°48′N 80°54′E / 15.8°N 80.9°E / 15.8; 80.9
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Coastal Andhra
Kōstā Āndhra
Clockwise from top: Kanaka Durga Temple, Machilipatnam beach, Eluru Bhuddha park, District Collectorate of West Godavari, Konaseema and Bapatla Agriculture college.
Coastal Andhra region with districts
Coastal Andhra region with districts
Coordinates: 15°48′N 80°54′E / 15.8°N 80.9°E / 15.8; 80.9
Country India
StateAndhra Pradesh
Districts
Largest city
Major Cities
Area
 • Total91,915 km2 (35,489 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total34,195,655
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationAP05, AP06, AP07, AP08, AP16, AP18, AP26, AP27, AP37, AP39
Largest airportVijayawada Airport
Lush green farms in East Godavari.

Coastal Andhra or Kosta Andhra (IAST: Kōstā Āndhra) is a geographic region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is the largest city in this region. The region share borders with Rayalaseema , Uttarandhra and Telangana. It was a part of Madras State before 1953 and Andhra State from 1953 to 1956. According to the 2011 census, it has an area of 91,915 square kilometres (35,489 sq mi) which is 57.99% of the total state area and a population of 34,193,868 which is 69.20% of Andhra Pradesh state population.[citation needed] This area includes the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on the Circar Coast[3] between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, from the northern border with Odisha to Rayalaseema in the south.

Coastal Andhra is a fertile region suitable for agriculture, which is facilitated by the rivers Godavari, Krishna and Penna.[4] The prosperity of Coastal Andhra can be attributed to its rich agricultural land and an abundant water supply from these three rivers. Rice grown in paddy fields is the main crop, with pulses and coconuts also being important. The fishing industry is also important to the region.[5]

History

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The region of Andhra rose to political power during the reign of the Maurya Dynasty. Megasthenes mentioned that Andhra was a flourishing empire of the Satavahanas' since before the common era.[citation needed] Coastal Andhra was also ruled by the famous Chalukyas in between the period of the 7th Century and the 10th century CE.[citation needed] This period was followed by the reign of many other dynasties such as the Cholas, the Kakatiyas as well as the Vijayanagara Empire.[citation needed]

Antarvedi temple on the banks of Godavari in Andhra Pradesh.

According to 11th century inscriptions, coastal Andhra is bounded by Mahendragiri mountains (in north-eastern border with Gajapati district of Orissa), Kalahasti temple (in Chittoor district near the border of Nellore district), Srisailam temple (in Kurnool district near the border of Mahbubnagar district and Prakasham district).[6]

The Gajapati and Ganjam districts of Odisha were granted to the French East India Company around 1752.[citation needed] Later they were transferred by the French to the British. Nellore, which extends as far as Ongole Taluk, was later received from the Nawab of Arcot, under an establishment. Some parts of present-day Nellore and Chittoor were in the hands of Venkatagiri Rajas. The British made an arrangement with the Raja of Venkatagiri in 1802 to claim power in those territories also.[citation needed]

The districts of Andhra (Circar) and Rayalaseema were ceded by the Nizam of Hyderabad to the British colonial administration, which became part of Madras Presidency.[7]

Geography

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Coastal Andhra is located in the eastern region of the state of Andhra Pradesh on the Circar Coast and comprises districts of: Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore districts. It borders Rayalaseema region of the state and the states of Telangana. The presence of the Godavari River, Krishna River and Penna River makes the area fertile for irrigation.[8] The coastal line of this region is the second longest in the country, extending up to 974 km.[8]

Demographics

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The area had a total population of 34,195,655 as per 2011 Census of India.

Coastal Andhra is predominantly Hindu (around 93%). Estimates of the Christian population are around 1.51% of the Coastal Andhra population.[9]

The main and most spoken language is Telugu.[10]

Culture

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Kuchipudi is the classical dance form of the state, which was originated in the Kuchipudi village of Krishna district.[11]

Cuisine

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Rice is the staple food in the coastal cuisine and is usually consumed with a variety of curries and lentil soups or broths.[citation needed] The cuisine of Coastal Andhra is influenced by various seafood varieties.[citation needed]

Politics

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The 18 districts of Coastal Andhra region are: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore.[12]

Chief Ministers from the region are:

Cities and towns

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Vijayawada, Guntur, Nellore, Kakinada, Eluru, Rajahmundry are popular cities in this region. The other major cities of this region are Gudivada, Tenali, Narasaraopeta, Bhimavaram, Machilipatnam, Ongole, Tadepalligudem, Also other major towns in the region are , Chirala, Amalapuram, Palakollu, Narasapuram, Kavali, Chilakaluripet, Kandukur.

Art and Culture

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Dancer performing a tarangam
A Kuchipudi hasta (mudra).[13]

Kuchipudi is one of the eight major Indian classical dances. It originates from a village named Kuchipudi in Krishna district

Tourism

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Rear view of Prakasam Barrage
  • Prakasam Barrage: The original dam across the Krishna was built over a 150 years ago. The dam construction was started in 1852 and completed in 1855. And the present structure dates to the 1950s. It is 1,223.5 m (4,014 ft) long. Several canals through the city of Vijayawada terminate in a lake behind the barrage.[14]
  • Krishnaveni mandapam: It is also known as the river museum and located at the side of Prakasam Barrage. It was constructed by the Krishna Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition society which consists of geographical route map of River Krishna, world currency, Krishnamma Idol etc.
  • Undavalli caves: Located in Other side of the Krishna River, five kilometers from Vijayawada, these caves are said to have been carved in the 7th century A.D. Buddhist monks used this two-storey cave structure as a rest house during the monsoon. A huge monolith of the Buddha in reclining posture is a magnificent sight.[14][15]
  • Rajiv Gandhi Park: Created by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation with great care, this park welcomes the tourists at the entrance of the city with its impressive horticultural network. It includes a mini zoo and a musical water fountain. This park is open from 2pm to 8pm.
  • Gandhi Hill: The first Gandhi memorial with seven stupas in the country was constructed on this hill at a height of 500 ft (150 m). The 52 ft (16 m) stupa was unveiled on 6 October 1968 by Dr. Zakir Hussain, the President of India. Gandhi Memorial Library, a sound and light show on Mahatma Gandhi's life and a planetarium are the other attractions.
  • Victoria Jubilee Museum: A place for archaeology lovers, this museum has a carefully preserved collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, idols, weapons, cutlery, and inscriptions. This museum is closed temporarily due to repair works.
  • Bhavani Island: Perhaps one of the largest islands on a river, Bhavani Island is located on Krishna River close to the city. AP Tourism is converting this 133-acre (54 hectare) island into an attractive tourist spot and a riverfront resort.[14]

Rivers, lakes and wetlands

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Andhra Pradesh contains 259 coastal wetlands, covering an area of 18,552 km2,[16] out of which 88 are manmade.

Lake Kolleru a major lake in Coastal Andhra.[citation needed] Kolleru, a natural sweet-water lake, is situated in the West Godavari district and serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for the two rivers. The lake is also an important habitat for up to 50,000 resident and migratory birds.[citation needed] The lake was declared a wildlife sanctuary in November 1999 under India's Wildlife Protection Act, and designated a wetland of international importance in November 2002 under the international Ramsar Convention. In this region, the river Akhanda Godavari splits into several distributary branches, including the Gouthami, Vasishta, Vainatheya, and Vruddha Gouthami, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.[citation needed]

At Palakollu West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Godavari breezes during the evening!

Transport

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Kakinada Town Jn. Railway Station main entrance
Vijayawada Airport Terminal

Notable personalities

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National flag design

Singers

Telugu literature, arts and cinema

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Andhra Pradesh Fact Sheet". mapsofindia.com.
  2. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). 12 November 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Write short notes on the Northern Circars and the Coromandal Coast". 5 January 2011.
  4. ^ Rao, Desari Panduranga (1985). Trends in Indian Transport System: A Districtwise Study. Inter-India Publications. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-86590-701-0.
  5. ^ "Indian States fish production" (PDF).
  6. ^ Austin Cynthia Talbot Assistant Professor of History and Asian Studies University of Texas (23 August 2001). Precolonial India in Practice : Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford University Press. pp. 36–. ISBN 978-0-19-803123-9.
  7. ^ "Andhra Pradesh – end of an era". Business Standard. Hyderabad. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Administrative and Geographic profile" (PDF). msmehyd.ap.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Census Reference Tables, C-Series Population by religious communities". Censusindia.gov.in.
  10. ^ "AP Government Portal – Official Andhra Pradesh State Govt. Portala Pradesh" (PDF). www.ap.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Art has to be nurtured to sustain". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  12. ^ "Districts of Coastal Andhra". mapsofindia. 19 April 2014.
  13. ^ Sunil Kothari & Avinash Pasricha 2001, p. 117.
  14. ^ a b c "Tourism in Vijayawada". aptdc.gov.in. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Undavalli Caves". ecoindia. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  16. ^ Wetlands of India report, ISRO
  17. ^ P.Manoj (10 May 2013). "Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to have new major port". Live Mint and The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  18. ^ Rama Mohan (13 July 2014). "AP to Set up Maritime Board to Develop Ports". ibtimes.co.in. International Business Times, India. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
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