Explore the complete profile of Andhra Pradesh — covering its history, geography, polity, culture, rivers, national parks, and economic growth.
theIAShub | 06 May, 2025 | 9269 | 0 |
Andhra Pradesh, one of India’s prominent southern states, holds a significant position in the country’s political, economic, and cultural history. Known for its ancient civilizations, diverse landscapes, and thriving industries, the state represents a balanced blend of tradition and modernity. Spread over 1,62,968 square kilometers, it is the seventh-largest state in India by area. According to the 2011 Census, Andhra Pradesh is home to over 49 million people. Amaravati, the proposed capital, along with Visakhapatnam and Kurnool, serves as administrative and commercial centers.
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Undivided Andhra Pradesh
The history of Andhra Pradesh stretches back to ancient times. The region was once home to the Satavahana dynasty (1st century BCE to 2nd century CE), known for promoting trade, agriculture, and Buddhism. Over the centuries, the area witnessed the rule of various dynasties, including the Ikshvakus, Eastern Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire, and Qutb Shahi Sultanate.
During the colonial period, parts of Andhra Pradesh came under the Madras Presidency of the British Empire. After India’s independence in 1947, the Telugu-speaking regions were initially part of Madras State. In response to demands for a separate linguistic state, Andhra State was created in 1953 with Kurnool as its capital.
In 1956, under the States Reorganization Act, Andhra State merged with the Telangana region (then part of Hyderabad State) to form a unified Andhra Pradesh, with Hyderabad as its capital. However, after decades of regional demands, Telangana was carved out in 2014, making Andhra Pradesh a reorganized state with Amaravati planned as the new capital.
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Andhra Pradesh lies along India’s eastern coast, bordered by Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to the north, Tamil Nadu to the south, Karnataka to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east.
The state’s landscape is diverse, comprising:
Climate: Andhra Pradesh experiences a tropical climate, characterized by:
The coastal areas are prone to cyclones, especially between October and December.
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As per the 2011 Census, Andhra Pradesh had a population of 49.5 million. The population density stands at 308 persons per square kilometer. The sex ratio is 993 females per 1000 males, slightly higher than the national average.
Literacy Rate: The state recorded a literacy rate of 67.4%, with male literacy at 74.8% and female literacy at 60%.
Languages Spoken:
| Symbol | Name |
| State Animal | Blackbuck (Krishna Jinka) |
| State Bird | Indian Roller (Palapitta) |
| State Tree | Neem (Vepa Chettu) |
| State Flower | Jasmine (Malle Puvvu) |
These symbols reflect Andhra Pradesh’s cultural and ecological diversity.
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Andhra Pradesh follows a unicameral legislature after the abolition of its Legislative Council in 1985, though proposals to revive it have been considered.
State of Andhra was the first state to be formed on the lines of language (Telugu speaking) after the prolonged protests by Potti Sriramalu. Later under the States Reorganisation act, it was renamed as Andhra Pradesh.
Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer has been serving as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh since February 24, 2023. Before his gubernatorial appointment, he was a judge of the Supreme Court of India, bringing a wealth of legal expertise to his current role.
High Court: The Andhra Pradesh High Court is located in Amaravati.
The Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court is Hon’ble Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur. He assumed office on July 28, 2023, following his nomination by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud and appointment by President Droupadi Murmu. Justice Thakur is slated to serve until his retirement on April 24, 2026.
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Andhra Pradesh is enriched by several major rivers, making it one of India’s agriculturally productive regions.
Major Rivers:
These rivers support irrigation, fisheries, and hydropower projects.
Andhra Pradesh’s culture reflects a rich blend of classical art forms, folk traditions, festivals, and architectural heritage shaped by various dynasties and communities.
Kuchipudi is the most prominent classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh. It originated in a small village named Kuchipudi in the Krishna district. Recognized as one of the eight classical dance forms of India, Kuchipudi combines fast rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures, and graceful movements.
Today, Kuchipudi has evolved into a solo and group performance art, practiced widely across India and abroad.
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Andhra Pradesh has a rich tradition of theatre art known for its historical depth and diverse styles:
Veedhi Natakam (Street Theatre): A popular form of folk drama performed in village streets, especially during festivals and religious occasions. It features mythological or social themes narrated with humor, songs, and dialogues.
Burra Katha: A narrative folk art where a lead performer, accompanied by two supporting artists, narrates a story through dialogue, dance, and music. It gained popularity during the Indian freedom movement to spread political and social awareness.
The state’s folk music mirrors its agrarian culture and social life. It is primarily oral, passed down through generations.
Andhra Pradesh has made notable contributions to Indian classical music, particularly Carnatic music, one of India’s two major classical music systems.
Notable Composers
Classical music concerts, known as Kutcheris, are integral to temple festivals, cultural gatherings, and special occasions across the state.
Festivals
Andhra Pradesh boasts a longstanding tradition of handicrafts and temple architecture.
Notable Crafts:
Architecture:
Andhra Pradesh is home to rich biodiversity, preserved in its parks and sanctuaries.
Andhra Pradesh has three designated national parks:
Notable Wildlife Sanctuaries:
Andhra Pradesh lies on the southeastern coast of India, bordered by:
It has a long coastline of 974 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal, the second-longest among Indian states. Andhra Pradesh does not share an international border.
Andhra Pradesh has two Ramsar wetlands of international importance:
As of now, Andhra Pradesh has no UNESCO World Heritage Sites officially inscribed. However, two sites are on the tentative list:
There are three tiger reserves in Andhra Pradesh, part of India’s Project Tiger conservation network:
The economy of Andhra Pradesh is primarily agriculture-based, supplemented by industry and services.
Key Sectors:
Major Projects:
The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Andhra Pradesh for the fiscal year 2023–24 stood at ₹14.39 lakh crore, recording a growth rate of 10.44% over the previous year.
Sector-wise Contribution (2023–24)
The economy remains diverse, with a significant share from services and agriculture, while industrial sectors continue to expand in coastal and central districts.
Visakhapatnam: It is the financial and industrial capital of Andhra Pradesh. The city hosts major public and private sector enterprises in steel, petroleum, shipbuilding, and information technology.
Vijayawada: An important commercial hub known for its vibrant trading activity, road and rail connectivity, and growing real estate and logistics sectors.
The following districts lead in contributing to the state’s GSDP:
Visakhapatnam district holds the top position due to its port-led industrial base and services sector strength.
Andhra Pradesh has the second-longest coastline in India, stretching 974 kilometers, and features several operational ports:
Collectively, these ports handled around 198 million tonnes of cargo in 2023.
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Andhra Pradesh, with its rich historical legacy, cultural traditions, and economic initiatives, remains one of India’s significant states. From ancient Buddhist relics to modern infrastructure projects, the state exemplifies a harmonious blend of heritage and progress. Understanding Andhra Pradesh’s geography, polity, and social customs is essential for competitive exam aspirants and anyone seeking to learn about India’s regional diversity.
Kuchipudi is the most prominent classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh, known for its fast footwork, expressive gestures, and dance-drama performances.
The major rivers in Andhra Pradesh include the Godavari, Krishna, Penna, Vamsadhara, and Nagavali.
The economy of Andhra Pradesh is primarily based on agriculture, with major crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton, alongside significant contributions from industry and services, particularly aquaculture and IT.
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