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Andhra Pradesh has a single-chamber Legislative Assembly of 295 seats. The state sends 60 members to the Indian national parliament: 18 to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and 42 to the Lok Sabha (lower house). It has 23 local government administrative districts.
History
Centuries ago, Andhra Pradesh was a major Buddhist centre and part of Emperor Ashoka's sprawling kingdom. Not surprisingly, traces of early Buddhist influence are still visible in several places in and around the state. After the death of Emperor Ashoka, the Satavahanas established their kingdom in this region.
During the 7th century, the Chalukyas held sway over Andhra Pradesh until the 10th century, when the Cholas seized power. In the 14th century, Muslim power reached this southern state and for centuries ruled over this princely state and finally was taken over by a General of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1713.
The successors of the General, known as Nizams, ruled the state till Indian Independence. Successive dynasties from the Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagaram kings, Qutub Shahis, Mughals and the Asaf Jahis, have contributed significantly to the State's rich cultural tapestry and have left behind a heritage studded with spectacular monuments, temples, mosques, palaces all vibrant with arts, crafts, dance and literature. More Details >>
Andhra Pradesh - Facts
Below is a table representing important facts about Andhra Pradesh
Facts on Andhra Pradesh |
| Date of Formation |
Nov 1, 1956 |
| Size | 2,75,069 sq km |
| Population | 76,210,007 |
| Capital | Hyderabad |
| Rivers | Godavari, Krishna, Wainganga, Tungabhadra, Chitravati, Musi, Banda, Papagni |
| Forests & National Park |
Shivaram Ws, Manjira WS, Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam WS |
| Languages | Telgu, Urdu |
| Neighbours State | Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Yanam ( Puducherry) |
| State Animal | Blackbuck |
| State Bird | Indian Roller |
| State Tree | Neem |
| State Flower | Water lily |
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| Andhra Pradesh Map |
Economy and Infrastructure
Agriculture is the most important sector of Andhra Pradesh's economy. About 70 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture, and the state is one of India's main rice-producing areas. The main crops are rice, maize, millets, pulses, castor, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, groundnut and bananas. The covered forest area in the state is about 23 percent, and important forest products include teak, eucalyptus, cashew, bamboo and soft wood. Some of the major industries in the state are machine tools, synthetic drugs, pharmaceuticals, heavy electrical machinery, ships, fertilizers, electronic equipment, aeronautical parts, cement and cement products, chemicals, asbestos, glass and watches. Important minerals found in the state are copper ore, manganese, mica, coal and limestone. Andhra Pradesh has an extensive road and rail network, a major port in Vishakhapatnam, minor ports in several other cities, and airports at Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, and Vishakhapatnam. More Details >>
Society, Art and Culture
Over 85% of the population of Andhra Pradesh speaks Telugu. Tamil is widely spoken in the extreme south region, and on the border of Karnataka there are few Kanarese or Kannad speakers. In Hyderabad there are large numbers of Urdu speakers who make up about 7% of AP's population.
Hindu festivals such as Dasara, Deepavali, Sri Ramanavami, Krishna Janmastami, Vinayaka Chavithi (Ganesh Chaturthi) and Maha Sivarathri are celebrated in the State. Similarly, Muslim festivals such as Bakrid and Id-ul-Fitr and Christian festivals like Christmas, Easter and New Year's Day are also celebrated with gaiety. But the celebrations of Ugadi (Telugu New Year's day), Sankranti, Dasara, and Vinayaka Chavithi in the state are unique.
As the home of rich folk tradition, Andhra Pradesh offers a variety of performing arts unique to its culture. Kuchipudi is the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh. Lacquer toys, anakapalli articles, nirmal painted pottery, bidri-lead inlaid black metal trinklets, palm and slate articles, as well as Gadhwalk, Pochampalli and Dharmvaram silk saris are some of the amazing handlooms and handicrafts the state is renowned for.
Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh has a distinct flavor and is relished by many epicureans. Rice is the staple food and chilies dominate the native taste. The ubiquitous Andhra pickle, spicy in taste and flavor is the most appetizing dish. Even Gongura chutneys enhance the basic flavor of a meal. Papads roasted or fried are an often-preferred addition. To round off a sumptuous lunch, kheers, a variety of sweets and pans are veritable specialties. More Details >>
How to reach Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is well-connected with the other parts of the country. Be it the railways, airlines, or roadways, the state is interlinked with neighboring states and cities.
Andhra Pradesh is connected through a vast network of National Highways. There are nearly 4,104 km of the National Highways, 60,000 km of State Highways, and ,04,000 km of Panchayati Raj roads.
Andhra Pradesh is connected with 5,085 km of the railways. There are 362 km of broad-gauge routes, 686 km of metre-gauge route, and 37 km of narrow gauge routes.
The only international airport of the state is located in the capital city Hyderabad. Other smaller airports of Andhra Pradesh include Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupathi, and Rajahmundry. More Details >>
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| Andhra Pradesh Travel Map |
Andhra Pradesh is rich in historical monuments and many holy temples. Tirupati in Chittoor district houses one of the most famous temples in India. The presiding deity is known as the Venkateswara. The main temple is situated on a hill top, Tirumala, and is a masterpiece of south Indian architecture.
The main tourist attraction is the capital of the state, Hyderabad. The capital is in reality the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad linked together by the Hussain Sagar Lake. Places of interest are the Char Minar built in 1591, Osmania University, State Museum and Art gallery, Health Museum, Public Gardens, Birla Mandir and Macca Masjid.
The Nehru Zoological Park, near the Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad is a natural habitat, supporting a teeming wildlife population. It has to its credit the first lion safari park of South Asia. The Pakkal, Tadvai and Ethurnagaram sanctuaries abound in tigers, panthers, wild boars, jackals, muntjacks, foxes, gaura, wild dogs and the sloth bears. Kawak Wildlife Sanctuary in Adilabad district lies 50 km from Mancheral railway station.
The largest of the country's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary is spread over an area of 3568 sq. km. Adjoining the reserve is the great reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the Krishna river.
Another important centre of tourism is Golconda, about 8 km from Hyderabad. The capital of the Qutb Shahi Sultans in the 16th century, Golconda is rich in historical monuments which include the famous Golconda fort. Golconda was known the world over as rich mine of diamonds in the medieval times. The famous diamonds Kohinoor and Pitt came from the mines of Golconda.
The unpolluted and serene hill stations of Andhra Pradesh offer a cool respite from the heat and din of the plains. Nestled in the Eastern Ghats are the charming little resorts of Anantagiri and Araku. Laid out amidst picturesque coffee plantations, the road to Anantagiri is literally enveloped with mango groves and waterfalls that gush and flow into the ravines. Araku is a group of five valleys. The abode of 19 different tribes, life in the valley displays a distinctive culture. Situated south east of Andhra, on the Karnataka border and around 165 km from Bangalore, the Horsley Hills is another popular resort. This serene hamlet offers stunning views of sylvan valleys, offering adventurous forays through sandalwood, eucalyptus, teak and mango plantations.
Fringed by the Bay of Bengal, many alluring beaches are tucked away along the coastline. The sea face of Visakhapatnam, besides its bustling harbor, has a single massive rock jutting into the ocean at a height of 174 m. Referred to as the Dolphin's Nose, the gigantic cliff has a powerful lighthouse that sends signals as far as 65 km. The beach front of Visakhapatnam is peaceful and enticing. Rishikonda and Bhimli are calm, making them aquatic playgrounds. Bhimunipatnam, 24 km from Visakhapatnam is a pleasure resort at the mouth of the river Gosthani. The idyllic beaches at Bapatla, Kalingapatnam, Maipad and Manginapudi are ideal picnic spots.
One of the world's best equipped film studios is situated in Andhra Pradesh, Ramoji Film City, at an hour's distance from Hyderabad, is spread over 1000 acres. More Details >>
The Best time to visit Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh can be visited during any season. The state is essentially hot and humid and for this reason visiting Andhra Pradesh during the summer days would not be a good idea. Moreover, the normal temperature of state remains around 40 degree C during summer, which makes it impossible for travelers to roam around the state. A good deal of rainfall is received by the state during summer, which makes it even more humid. The best time to visit Andhra Pradesh is between October and February.
Located on the southeastern coastal area of India, Andhra Pradesh is the fourth largest state in the country. The capital of the state is Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh is a popular tourist attraction for pilgrims. It also houses some of the exotic beaches in India.
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Attractions
Andhra Pradesh is visited by different types of tourists. Be it the beach holidays or the hill stations or the temples of Andhra Pradesh, the state has plethora to offer to the worldwide tourists.
The Beaches of Andhra Pradesh
The beaches of Andhra Pradesh are famous for various adventure sports such as wind surfing, skiing, water gliding, swimming and many more. Some famous beaches in this state are Manginapudi Beach, Bheemunipatnam Beach, Mypad Beach, Rishikonda Beach, and Vodarevu Beach.More Details >>
Hill Stations in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has a couple of hill stations, which are also popular as tourist destinations. Some important and famous hills stations are Araku Valley, Anantagiri Hills, and Horsley Hills.More Details >>
There are a number of temples in this state and for this reason, Andhra Pradesh is also considered as a popular pilgrimage center in India. Some popular temples in India are Alampur Navabhrama Temples, Ghanpur Temples, Birla Mandir, Malleswaraswami Temple, Amaravati Temple, Amareswara Temple, Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Undavalli Cave Temple, Ramappa Temple, Ramalingeswara Temple, Tiruchanur Padmavati, Sri Kalahasteeswara temple, Vijayeswara Swami Temple, and Veerbhadra Temple.More Details >>
Hotels of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is home to some of the finest hotels. Ranging from five star to deluxe to budget hotels, Andhra Pradesh is dotted with all kinds of accommodation options. Catering to the needs of all tastes and pockets the hotels in Andhra Pradesh are known for their warmth and hospitality. More Details >>
Last Updated on 29 March 2013
