Coastal Andhra or Kostandhra (IAST: Kōstāndhra) is a geographic region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is the largest city in this region. Region share borders with Uttarandhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana. 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 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
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]
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]
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]
Andhra Pradesh contains 259 coastal wetlands, covering an area of 18,552 km2,[15] 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
Vijayawada-Guntur Expressway section of NH-16Kakinada Town Jn. Railway Station main entranceVijayawada Airport TerminalAerial view of Vizag Sea Port
Kakinada Port is the major ports in Coastal Andhra Region. The state of Andhra Pradesh is the second-busiest maritime state (after Gujarat) in terms of cargo handled.[16] Visakhapatnam Port is one of the busiest cargo-handling ports in the country.[17]
India
Andhra Pradesh
_2.jpg)
_3.jpg)
