Coastal Andhra


Coastal Andhra is a region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It was part of Madras State before 1953 and Andhra State from 1953 to 1956. According to the 2011 census, it has an area of 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. This area includes the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on the Coromandel Coast between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, from the northern border with Odisha to Pulicat lake in the South.
Coastal Andhra has rich agricultural land, owing to the delta of the Godavari Krishna river and Penna. 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.

History

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. Coastal Andhra was also ruled by the famous Chalukyas in between the period of the 7th Century and the 10th century CE. This period was followed by the reign of many other dynasties such as the Cholas, the Kakatiyas as well as the Vijayanagar Empire.
temple on the banks of Godavari in Andhra Pradesh.
According to 11th century inscriptions, coastal Andhra is bounded by Mahendragiri mountains, Kalahasti temple, Srisailam temple.
The Gajapati and Ganjam districts of Odisha were granted to the French East India Company around 1752. 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.
The districts of Andhra and Rayalaseema were ceded by the Nizam of Hyderabad to the British colonial administration, which became part of Madras Presidency.

Geography

Coastal Andhra is located in the eastern region of the state of Andhra Pradesh on the Coromandel Coast and comprises nine districts: East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Nellore, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram. It borders Rayalaseema regions of the state and the states of Telangana, Odisha. The presence of the Krishna River Godavari River and Penna River makes the area fertile for irrigation. The coastal line of this region is the second longest in the country, extending up to 974 km.

Demographics

The area had a total population of 34,195,655 as per 2011 Census of India.
Coastal Andhra is predominantly Hindu, but there is also a growing Christian minority from predominantly the SC and ST groups. Estimates of the Christian population range from 4% to even 10% of the Coastal Andhra population.
The main and most spoken language is Telugu.

Culture

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

Cuisine

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

Politics

The nine districts of Coastal Andhra region are: East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Nellore, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram.
Chief Ministers from the region are:
, Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Guntur, are popular cities in this region The other Major cities of this region are Eluru, Tenali, Nellore, Ongole,. Also other major towns in the region are Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Bhimavaram, Amalapuram, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Palakollu, Narasapuram, Gudur, Kavali, Narasaraopeta, Bobbili, Chilakaluripet, Kandukur, Chirala

Tourism

Buddhist hub

Coastal Andhra is one of the major Buddhist hubs in India after the Gangetic plains in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Many remnants from large monasteries to small stupas are found in this region from Srikakulam district in the North to Nellore district in the South. The major Buddhist Remnant sites in this region are as Amaravati, Salihundam, Ramatheertham, Thotlakonda, Bavikonda, Bojjannakonda, Kummarilova, Kodavali, Bhattiprolu etc.

Rivers, lakes and wetlands

Andhra Pradesh contains 259 coastal wetlands, covering an area of 18,552 km2, out of which 88 are manmade.
Lakes Kolleru and Pulicat are the two major lakes in Coastal Andhra. 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. 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. Pulicat is the largest saltwater lake in the country, located in Nellore and spreads between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This is one of the famous attractions in south India. 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.
West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Godavari breezes during the evening!

Transport

National flag design
Singers
Telugu literature, arts and cinema
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