Andhra Pradesh – Economy [2024], Brief History, Geography, Rivers | GK for Competitive Exams

Andhra Pradesh at a Glance

Formation	2 June 2014
Capital	Amaravati
Area	162,970 km2 (7th)
Highest point – Arma Konda (lies in the northern part of the State) also known as Sitamma Konda It is also the tallest peak of the Eastern Ghat	1,680 m
Lakes	Kolleru Lake, Pulicat Lake
National Parks	Papikonda National Park Sri Venkateswara National Park
Population (2011)	49,577,103 (10th most populous state)
Population Density (2011)	304/km2
Official Language	Telugu (Additional official Language – Urdu)
Literacy (2011)	67.02% (31st)
Sex ratio (2011)	993/1000 (20th)

Important points about Andhra Pradesh

• Border with other States: It is bordered by
  • Telangana to the northwest,
  • Chhattisgarh to the north,
  • Odisha to the northeast,
  • Tamil Nadu to the south,
  • Karnataka to the west, and
  • Bay of Bengal to the east.
• The state also shares borders with a union territory, Yanam (a district of Puducherry) which lies to the south of Kakinada in the Godavari delta.
• Coastline: It has the second longest coastline in India after Gujarat, about 974 km.
• Statehood: Andhra State was the first state to be formed on a linguistic basis in India on 1 October 1953.
• In 2014 United Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to form the new state Telangana.
• Rice Bowl of India: It is also a major producer of rice and is known as the “Rice Bowl of India“.
• Egg Bowl of Asia: The state is the largest producer of eggs in the country and Asia and hence, it is called the “Egg Bowl of Asia“.
• Official language: Telugu (one of the classical languages of India). Andhra Pradesh’s second official language is Urdu.
• Andhra Pradesh comprises three major regions namely Rayalaseema in the southwest, Coastal Andhra bordering the Bay of Bengal in the east, and Uttarandhra in the northeast.
• The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati is one of the world’s most visited religious sites.
• Visakhapatnam is often called “The Jewel of the East Coast”.
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in the Godavari delta region, this sanctuary is known for its mangrove forests and is an important habitat for migratory birds.

Brief History of Andhra Pradesh

Geography of Andhra Pradesh

Coastal Plains

• The coastal plains of Andhra Pradesh extend along the eastern part of the state.
• The plain typically has a width of around 80 to 100 kilometers, with a gradual slope towards the Bay of Bengal.
• The terrain is relatively flat and low-lying, making it suitable for agriculture.
• The coastal plains are highly fertile and agriculturally productive, supporting a variety of crops. Rice is the predominant crop grown in the region due to the availability of water from rivers and irrigation canals.
• Several important ports and coastal cities, including Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Machilipatnam, Kakinada, and Nellore, are situated in the coastal plains.

Eastern Ghats

• The Eastern Ghats traverse the eastern part of Andhra Pradesh, stretching from the northern border with Odisha to the southern border with Tamil Nadu.
• It runs parallel to the coast.
• Nallamala Hills: Situated in the southern part of the Eastern Ghats, the Nallamala Hills are known for their dense forests and wildlife.

Deccan Plateau

• The Deccan Plateau covers a significant portion of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the western and central parts of the state.
• The Deccan Plateau is characterized by gently sloping terrain with low hills, ridges, and plateaus.
• Geological Formation: The Deccan Plateau is primarily composed of volcanic basaltic rock formations, which were formed by successive volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. These lava flows created extensive basaltic layers that cover much of the plateau.
• Dryland farming is prevalent in many parts of the plateau.

Major Rivers of Andhra Pradesh

Godavari River

• Source: Trimbak Plateau in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
• Mouth: Bay of Bengal near the town of Narasapuram in the West Godavari district.
• Course: The Godavari enters Andhra Pradesh from near Bhadrachalam in the Khammam district (Telangana). It flows through central Andhra Pradesh and passes through East Godavari, West Godavari, and Krishna districts. The Godavari forms one of the largest river deltas.
• Important Cities and Towns: Bhadrachalam, Rajahmundry.
• Fauna: Mugger Crocodile and the Indian softshell turtle.

Krishna River

• Source: The Krishna River originates from the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
• Mouth: The Krishna River empties into the Bay of Bengal near the city of Machilipatnam (also known as Masulipatnam) in the Krishna district. The river’s mouth forms an estuary, which supports diverse ecosystems.
• Course: The Krishna River enters Andhra Pradesh from Karnataka near Kurnool. It flows through central Andhra Pradesh and passes through Kurnool, Guntur, and Krishna districts.
• Barrage: Prakasam Barrage near Vijayawada.
• Important Cities and Towns: Kurnool, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Machilipatnam.
• Fauna: Indian smooth-coated otter.

Pennar River

• Source: The Pennar River has multiple sources, with its main source being in the Nandi Hills of Karnataka.
• Mouth: Bay of Bengal near the town of Yanam in the union territory of Puducherry.
• Course: The river flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, covering a total length of about 597 km. The River enters Andhra Pradesh from Karnataka near Brahmamgari Matam in the Anantapur district. it flows through Anantapur, Kadapa, and Nellore districts. Near Gandikota in the Kadapa district, the Pennar River flows through a scenic gorge, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of India“.
• Fauna: critically endangered freshwater fish Deccan mahseer (Tor khudree).

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