Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|State in south India}} {{redirect|Andhra}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Andhra Pradesh | official_name = | type = [[States and Union Territories of India|State]] | image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = View of Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple in Vontimitta.jpg | photo3a = Sri venkateshwara swamy temple.webp | photo2a = Nandi Lepakshi Temple Hindupur 5.jpg | photo2b = Papi Hills Tour Pic 10.jpg | photo4a = Araku valley view.jpg | photo3b = Dhyaan buddha Amaravthi.jpg | photo4b = Simhachalam temple view from the rear side hillock.jpg | photo5a = Nwgbridge.JPG | spacing = 1 | color_border = white | color = white | size = 280 | foot_montage = }} | image_alt = | image_caption = From top, left to right: [[Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta|Kodanda Rama Temple]] at [[Vontimitta]], [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] at [[Lepakshi]], [[Papi Hills]], [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Venkateswara Temple]] at [[Tirumala]], [[Dhyana Buddha statue]] at [[Amaravathi]], [[Araku Valley]], [[Simhachalam Temple]] at [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Godavari bridge]] at [[Rajahmundry]] | image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Andhra Pradesh.svg | blank_emblem_type = [[Emblem of Andhra Pradesh|Emblem]] | blank_emblem_size =200 | motto = | anthem = <br />"[[Maa Telugu Thalliki]]"<br />(''To our mother Telugu'') | image_map = IN-AP.svg | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Andhra Pradesh in India | coordinates = {{coord|16.50|80.64|region:IN-AP_type:adm1st_dim:500000|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of India|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[South India]] | established_title = Formation | established_date = [[Andhra Pradesh Day|1 November 1956]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Madhu |title=Formation day: These Indian states were formed on November 1 |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/fyi/rajyotsava-indian-states-formation-day-november-1-560506 |access-date=9 May 2022 |work=India TV News |date=1 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Government to resume Andhra Pradesh Formation Day celebration on November 1|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/oct/22/government-to-resume-andhra-pradesh-formation-day-celebration-on-november-1-2051075.html|access-date=2 August 2020|work=The New Indian Express|date=22 October 2019}}</ref> | seat_type = [[List of capitals of Andhra Pradesh|Capital]] | seat = [[Visakhapatnam]] [[Amaravati]] [[Kurnool]] | seat1_type = Largest city | seat1 = [[Visakhapatnam]] | parts_type = [[List of Indian districts|Districts]] | parts_style = para | p1 = [[List of districts of Andhra Pradesh|26]] | government_footnotes = | governing_body = [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] | leader_title = [[Governors of Andhra Pradesh|Governor]] | leader_name = [[Biswabhusan Harichandan]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Anusuiya Uikey appointed Chhattisgarh Governor, Biswa Bhusan Harichandan is new Governor of Andhra Pradesh |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/anusuiya-uikey-appointed-chhattisgarh-governor-biswa-bhusan-harichandan-is-new-governor-of-andhra-pradesh-2219583.html |access-date=16 July 2019 |work=Zee News |date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716175450/https://zeenews.india.com/india/anusuiya-uikey-appointed-chhattisgarh-governor-biswa-bhusan-harichandan-is-new-governor-of-andhra-pradesh-2219583.html |archive-date=16 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran BJP leader Biswa Bhusan Harichandan appointed as Governor of Andhra Pradesh |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/veteran-bjp-leader-biswa-bhusan-harichandan-appointed-governor-andhra-pradesh-105565 |access-date=16 July 2019 |work=[[The News Minute]] |date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716154555/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/veteran-bjp-leader-biswa-bhusan-harichandan-appointed-governor-andhra-pradesh-105565 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | leader_title1 = [[Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh|Chief Minister]] | leader_name1 = [[Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy]] | leader_title2 = [[Andhra Pradesh Legislature|Legislature]] | leader_name2 = [[Bicameral]] * [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council|Sasana Mandali]] ([[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council#Membership and tenure|58seats]]) * [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Sasana Sabha]] ([[List of constituencies of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly|175 seats]]) | leader_title3 =[[Parliament of India|Parliamentary constituencies]] | leader_name3 = *[[Rajya Sabha|Council of States]] ([[List of Rajya Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh|11 seats]]) * [[Lok Sabha|House of People]] ([[List of members of the 17th Lok Sabha#Andhra Pradesh|25 seats]]) | leader_title4 = [[High Courts of India|High Court]] | leader_name4 = [[Andhra Pradesh High Court|High Court of Andhra Pradesh]] | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref name="profile" /> | area_total_km2 = 162975 | area_rank = [[List of states and territories of India by area|7th]] | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_total = 49,386,799 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = <ref name=demographics>{{cite web |title=Demography |url=http://www.ap.gov.in/AP%20State%20Statistical%20Abstract%20May%202014/2%20AP%20Demography.pdf |website=Official portal of Andhra Pradesh Government |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=10 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213923/http://www.ap.gov.in/AP%20State%20Statistical%20Abstract%20May%202014/2%20AP%20Demography.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | population_density_km2 = 308 | population_rank = [[List of states and union territories of India by population|10th]] | population_demonyms = [[Telugu people|Andhrulu]], [[Telugu people|Teluguvaru]] | demographics_type1 = GDP {{nobold|(2020–21)}} | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="PRS">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/Statistical-Appendix-in-English.pdf|title=ECONOMIC SURVEY 2021-22 STATISTICAL APPENDIX|website=[[Government of India]], [[India Budget]], [[Ministry of Finance]]|access-date=11 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="RBI">{{cite web|date=|title=Per Capita Net State Domestic Product - State-wise (At Current Prices)|work=[[Reserve Bank of India]]|url=https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=20414|accessdate=21 January 2022}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP|Total]] | demographics1_info1 = {{INRConvert|8.84|t|lk=r}} | demographics1_title2 = [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP per capita|Per capita]] | demographics1_info2 = {{INRConvert|170215|lk=r}} | demographics_type2 = Languages | demographics2_title1 = Official | demographics2_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]] | demographics2_title2 = Additional&nbsp;official | demographics2_info2 = [[Urdu]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/240322/assembly-passes-two-bills-of-minorities-component-and-urdu-as-2nd-offi.html|title=Urdu second official language in Andhra Pradesh|date=24 March 2022|work=Deccan Chronicles|access-date=16 May 2022|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bill recognising Urdu as second official language passed |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/bill-recognising-urdu-as-second-official-languagepassed/article65252966.ece |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=23 March 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref> | timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] | utc_offset1 = +05:30 | area_code = AP | area_code_type = [[UN/LOCODE]] | registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India|AP–39]] | blank_name_sec1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy rate]] | blank_info_sec1 = 67.41% (2011) | blank_name_sec2 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] {{nobold|(2018)}} | blank_info_sec2 = {{increase}} 0.649<ref name="snhdi-gdl">{{cite web |title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/IND/?levels=1%2B4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0 |website=Global Data Lab |publisher=Institute for Management Research, Radboud University |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |archive-date=23 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br /> <span style="color:#FFA500">medium</span> · [[List of Indian states and territories by Human Development Index|27th]] | blank2_name_sec1 = [[Coastline of Andhra Pradesh|Coastline]] | blank2_info_sec1 = {{cvt|974|km|mi}} | website = | module = {{Infobox region symbols | embedded = yes | region = Andhra Pradesh | country = India | flag = | emblem = [[File:Andhraseal.png|60px|left]] [[Emblem of Andhra Pradesh]] | song = [[Maa Telugu Thalliki]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maitreyi |first1=M. L. Melly |title=No official State song for WTC |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/no-official-state-song-for-telugu-conference/article21616289.ece |work=The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu Group |date=14 December 2017 |access-date=1 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213194158/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/no-official-state-song-for-telugu-conference/article21616289.ece |archive-date=13 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | dance = [[File:Kuchipudi Performer DS.jpg|50px|left]] [[Kuchipudi]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols" /> | mammal = [[File:Antilope cervicapra from velavadar.JPG|50px|left]] [[Blackbuck]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols" /> | bird = [[File:Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri male by Dr. Raju Kasambe DSCN8937 (3).jpg|50px|left]] [[Rose-ringed parakeet]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols">{{cite news |title=Andhra Pradesh gets new state bird, state flower |url=https://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/310518/andhra-pradesh-gets-new-state-bird-state-flower.html |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=31 May 2018 |access-date=1 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601000928/https://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/310518/andhra-pradesh-gets-new-state-bird-state-flower.html |archive-date=1 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | flower = [[File:Jasminum officinale.JPG|50px|left]] [[Jasmine]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols" /> | fruit = [[File:Mangifera_indica_(Manguier_4).jpg|50px|left]] [[Mango]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols" /> | tree = [[File:(Curetis thetis) Indian Sunbeam on a neem tree along Eastern Ghats 04.JPG|50px|left]] [[Neem]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols" /> | sport = [[File:Kabaddi Game play(2273574).jpg|50px|left]] [[Kabaddi]]<ref name="dc-newsymbols" /> }} | blank3_info_sec1 = 993 [[females|♀]]/1000 [[males|♂]] | blank3_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]] {{nobold|(2011)}} | iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-AP]] }} '''Andhra Pradesh''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|ˌ|ɑː|n|d|r|ə|_|p|r|ə|ˈ|d|ɛ|ʃ}},<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Andhra_Pradesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516173152/https://www.lexico.com/definition/andhra_pradesh |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2021 |title=Andhra Pradesh |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPA-te|ãːndʱrɐ prɐdeːʃ|lang|andhra pradesh.ogg}} abbr. '''AP''') is a [[States and union territories of India|state]] in the south-eastern [[Coastal India|coastal]] region of India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Andhra-Pradesh|title=Andhra Pradesh {{!}} History, Capital, Population, Map, & Points of Interest|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|language=en|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> It is the [[List of states and union territories of India by area|seventh-largest state by area]] covering an area of {{cvt|162975|km2}}<ref name="profile">{{cite web |title=AP at a Glance |url=https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221132152/https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=30 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2019 |website=Official portal of Andhra Pradesh Government |access-date=31 May 2019 }}</ref> and [[List of states and union territories of India by population|tenth-most populous state]] with 49,386,799 inhabitants,<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 November 2015|title=Coastal Length of Indian States|url=http://www.quickgs.com/coastal-length-of-indian-states/|access-date=26 April 2020|website=QuickGS.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh Population (2019/2020)|url=http://www.populationu.com/in/andhra-pradesh-population|access-date=26 April 2020|website=www.populationu.com}}</ref> with the [[List of capitals of Andhra Pradesh|state capital]] being [[Amaravati]] and the largest city being [[Visakhapatnam]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explained: Why Was Andhra's Three-Capital Act Controversial|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/explained-andhras-three-capital-act-the-plan-and-the-hurdles-2620680|access-date=22 November 2021|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> It is bordered by [[Telangana]] to the north-west, [[Chhattisgarh]] to the north, [[Odisha]] to the north-east, [[Tamil Nadu]] to the south, [[Karnataka]] to the west and the [[Bay of Bengal]] to the east.<ref name="ap.gov.in">{{Cite web|title=List of Governors|publisher=AP State Portal|url=https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=241|access-date=11 December 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827075513/https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=241|archive-date=27 August 2018}}</ref> It has the [[Coastline of Andhra Pradesh|second longest coastline]] in India after [[Gujarat]], of about {{cvt|974|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairy – Lok Sabha – Starred Question No. *498 |date=21 September 2016|url=http://mha1.nic.in/par2013/par2013-pdfs/ls-300413/498.pdf|access-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921045613/http://mha1.nic.in/par2013/par2013-pdfs/ls-300413/498.pdf|archive-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> [[Andhra State]] was the First state to be formed on a [[States Reorganisation Act, 1956|linguistic basis]] (after [[Independence Day (India)|independence]] – [[Odisha]] is the first State formed on linguistic basis before independence on 1 April 1936) in India on 1 October 1953.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Indian Express – Google News Archive Search|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19531002&printsec=frontpage&hl=en%3C/ref%3E%3C!--%20information%20about%20the%20state%27s%20reorganization%20throughout%20the%20years%20is%20pretty%20clear%20in%20the%20article%20and%20needs%20no%20mention%20here|access-date=15 July 2020|website=news.google.com}}</ref> On 1 November 1956, Andhra State was merged with the [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking areas of the [[Hyderabad State]] to form [[Andhra Pradesh (1956–2014)|Andhra Pradesh]]. The state was then [[Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014|reorganised]] in June 2014 to form a separate Telangana state. Andhra Pradesh was once a major [[Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India|Buddhist pilgrimage site]] in the country and a [[Culture of Buddhism|Buddhist learning center]], which can be seen in many sites in the state in the form of monastery ruins, [[chaitya]]s and [[stupa]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=by|date=27 January 2019|title=Growth Of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh|url=https://andhrapradesh.pscnotes.com/appsc-group-1-mains/paper-i/andhra-pradesh-history/growth-of-buddhism-in-andhra-pradesh/|access-date=15 July 2020|website=Andhra Pradesh PCS Exam Notes|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Reddy (retd)|first=Capt Lingala Pandu Ranga|date=25 April 2016|title=Kohinoor belongs to Telugus|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250416/kohinoor-belongs-to-telugus.html|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref> [[Golconda diamonds|Locally mined diamonds]] include the [[Koh-i-Noor]] from [[Kollur Mine]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reddem|first=Appaji|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/in-the-quest-of-yet-another-koh-i-noor/article18192252.ece|title=In the quest of yet another Koh-i-noor|date=22 April 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=27 April 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is also a major producer of rice known as the "[[rice bowl]] of India".<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 January 2016|title=Most Crucial facts about Andhra Pradesh (The Rice Bowl of India)|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/most-crucial-facts-about-andhra-pradesh-the-rice-bowl-of-india-1452076579-1|access-date=27 April 2020|website=Jagranjosh.com}}</ref> Its official language is [[Telugu language|Telugu]]; one of the [[Languages of India|classical languages of India]], the [[List of languages by number of native speakers in India|fourth most spoken language in India]] and the [[List of languages by number of native speakers|11th-most spoken language in the world]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/telugu-language/|title=Telugu Language {{!}} AP State Portal|date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619202615/http://www.ap.gov.in/telugu-language/|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=19 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=44340|title=Press Information Bureau|website=pib.gov.in|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> Andhra Pradesh's second official language is [[Urdu]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-07 |title=AP Official Languages Act Amended to Recognise Urdu as Second Language |url=https://english.sakshi.com/news/andhrapradesh/state-cabinet-approves-proposal-provide-government-job-deaflympics-winner-shaik |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=Sakshi Post |language=en}}</ref> Early inhabitants were known as the Andhras, tracing their history back to the [[Vedic period]], when they were mentioned in the 8th century BCE [[Rigveda|Rigvedic]] text [[Aitareya Brahmana]]. According to the Aitareya Brahmana, the Andhras left [[North India]] from the banks of the [[Yamuna|Yamuna river]] and migrated to [[South India]].<ref name="Devi 1990 https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/n241 66">{{Cite book|last=Devi|first=Ragini|url=https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/n241 66]|title=Dance Dialects of India|date=1990|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0674-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history.html|title=APonline - History and Culture-History|date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716182646/http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history.html|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref> The [[Assaka]] [[Mahajanapadas|Mahajanapada]] (700–300&nbsp;BCE) was an ancient kingdom located between the [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] rivers in southeastern India. Accounts that people in the region are descended from the [[Vishvamitra|Viswamitra]] are found in the ''[[Ramayana]]'', the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and the [[Puranas]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wRAhAAAAMAAJ|title=Proceedings of the Andhra Pradesh Oriental Conference: Fourth Session, Nagarjuna University, Guntur, 3rd to 5th March 1984|date=1987|publisher=The Conference|language=en}}</ref>{{Clarify|reason=|date=October 2020}} The region also derives its name from the [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahanas]], who are also known as Andhras, the earliest [[Monarch|kings]] of Andhra Pradesh and India.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|title=Government of AP – History Satavahanas|url=https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=189|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615190919/https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=189|url-status=dead}}</ref> Early peoples supported local art culture by building temples and sculptures of the [[Stupa|Buddhist monuments]] in the state.<ref name="Devi 1990 https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/n241 66"/> It was ruled by the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan Empire]], [[Satavahana dynasty]], [[Salankayana dynasty|Salankayanas]], [[Andhra Ikshvaku]]s, [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]], [[Vishnukundina dynasty|Vishnukundinas]], [[Eastern Chalukyas]], [[Rashtrakuta dynasty|Rashtrakutas]], [[Medieval Cholas|Cholas]], [[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiyas]], [[Vijayanagara Empire]], [[Gajapati Empire]], [[Mughal Empire]], [[Deccan sultanates]], [[Qutb Shahi dynasty]], and [[Asaf Jahis]]. In the 3rd century BCE, Andhra was a vassal kingdom of [[Ashoka]], but after his death Andhra became powerful and extended its empire to the whole of Maratha country and beyond.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Devi|first=Ragini|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KRz5ykKRVAEC&q=In+the+3rd+century+B.C.,+Andhra+was+a+vassal+kingdom+of+Ashoka+but+after+his+death+Andhra+became+powerful+and+extended+it's+empire+to+the+whole+of+Maratha+country+and+beyond.&pg=PA66|title=Dance Dialects of India|date=1990|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0674-0|language=en}}</ref> Andhra Pradesh comprises three major regions, namely [[Rayalaseema]] in the south-west, [[Coastal Andhra]] bordering the Bay of Bengal in the east and [[Uttarandhra]] at north-east.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jammanna|first1=Akepogu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kOa2DQAAQBAJ&q=Rayalaseema+is+a+region+with+four+southern+districts+Anantapur,+Chittoor,+Kurnool+and+Kadapa.&pg=PA156|title=Dalits' Struggle for Social Justice in Andhra Pradesh (1956–2008): From Relays to Vacuum Tubes|last2=Sudhakar|first2=Pasala|date=2016|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|isbn=978-1-4438-4496-3|page=156|language=en|access-date=12 July 2017}}</ref> The state has [[List of districts of Andhra Pradesh|26 districts]], 6 in Uttarandhra, 12 in Coastal Andhra and 8 in Rayalaseema. The state also borders a [[union territory]], [[Yanam district|Yanam]] – a district of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], which lies to the south of [[Kakinada]] in the Godavari delta on the eastern side of the state. The [[economy of Andhra Pradesh]] is the [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP|8th largest]] in India, with a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of {{INRConvert|8.84|t|lk=r}} and has the country's [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP per capita|17th-highest GSDP per capita]] of {{INRConvert|170|k}}.<ref name="PRS"/><ref name="RBI"/> Andhra Pradesh [[List of Indian states and union territories by Human Development Index|ranks 27th]] among Indian states in [[Human Development Index]] (HDI).<ref name="snhdi-gdl" /> It has a jurisdiction over almost {{convert|15000|km2}} of territorial waters.<ref name="profile" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mha1.nic.in/par2013/par2013-pdfs/ls-300413/498.pdf|title=Length of coastline|website=Ministry of Home Affairs|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921045613/http://mha1.nic.in/par2013/par2013-pdfs/ls-300413/498.pdf|archive-date=21 September 2016|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> Andhra Pradesh hosted 121.8 million visitors in 2015, a 30% growth in tourist arrivals over the previous year, making it the [[Tourism in India#Statistics|third most-visited]] state in India.<ref name="The Hindu Business Line">{{cite news|author1=PTI|title=30% growth in AP tourist arrivals|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/30-growth-in-ap-tourist-arrivals/article8405886.ece|access-date=28 January 2017|work=Business Line|date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161720/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/30-growth-in-ap-tourist-arrivals/article8405886.ece|archive-date=30 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] in [[Tirupati]] is one of the world's most visited religious sites, with 18.25 million visitors per year.<ref>{{cite web|title=World's Most-Visited Sacred Sites|url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-most-visited-sacred-sites/5|website=Travel + Leisure|access-date=28 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202065858/http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-most-visited-sacred-sites/5|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The region is also home to a variety of other [[Tourism in Andhra Pradesh#Religious and pilgrimage sites|pilgrimage centres]], such as the [[Pancharama Kshetras]], [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam|Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga]] and [[Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta|Kodanda Rama Temple]]. The state's [[Tourism in Andhra Pradesh#Nature tourism|natural attractions]] include the [[beaches]] of Visakhapatnam, [[hill station]]s such as the [[Araku Valley]] and [[Horsley Hills]], and the deltas of [[Konaseema]] in the Godavari river, and [[Diviseema]] in the Krishna river. == History == {{Main|History of Andhra Pradesh}} === Toponym === A group of people named Andhras was mentioned in [[Sanskrit]] texts such as [[Aitareya Brahmana]] (800–500 [[BCE]]). According to ''Aitareya Brahmana'' of the [[Rig Veda]], the Andhras left north India from banks of [[River Yamuna]] and settled in south India.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dance Dialects of India|url=https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/66 66]|work=Ragini Devi|publisher=Motilal Bansarsi Dass|isbn=978-81-208-0674-0|access-date=9 June 2014|year=1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=History of Andhra Pradesh|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history.html|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716182646/http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history.html|archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Ancient and medieval history of Andhra Pradesh|url=https://archive.org/details/ancientmedievalh0000ragh|url-access=registration|work=P. Raghunadha Rao|publisher=Sterling Publishers, 1993|page=iv|access-date=9 June 2014|isbn=9788120714953|year=1993}}</ref> The Satavahanas have been mentioned by the names ''Andhra'', ''Andhrara-jateeya'' and ''[[Andhrabhrtya]]'' in the [[Puranas|Puranic literature]].<ref name="SNS_1999">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA172 |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |author=Sailendra Nath Sen |publisher=New Age International |year=1999 |isbn=9788122411980 |pages=172–176 |access-date=29 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323134904/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA172 |archive-date=23 March 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SC_1974">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=78I5lDHU2jQC&pg=PA37 |title=Some Early Dynasties of South India |author=Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |year=1974 |pages=17–56 |isbn=9788120829411 }}</ref> They did not refer themselves as ''Andhra'' in any of their coins or inscriptions; it is possible that they were termed as Andhras because of their ethnicity or because their territory included the Andhra region.<ref name="SEA_2001">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MBuPx1rdGYIC&pg=PA166 |title=Empires: Perspectives from Archaeology and History |editor=[[Susan E. Alcock]] |chapter=On the edge of empire: form and substance in the Satavahana dynasty |author=Carla M. Sinopoli |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2001 |pages=166–168 |isbn=978-0-521-77020-0 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Struggle for Andhra State – AP State Portal|url=https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=228|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615190824/https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=228|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Maheshwari|first=R. Uma|date=31 July 2013|title=A State that must fulfil a higher purpose|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-state-that-must-fulfil-a-higher-purpose/article4971018.ece|access-date=20 July 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> === Early and medieval history === [[File:Telugu talli bomma.JPG|alt=|thumb|Telugu Thalli]] The [[Assaka]] Mahajanapada, one of the sixteen Vedic Mahajanapadas, included Andhra, [[Maharashtra]] and Telangana.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQ5kDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT307|title=Laxminama: Monks, Merchants, Money and Mantra|last1=Tiwari|first1=Anshuman|last2=Sengupta|first2=Anindya|date=10 August 2018|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=9789387146808|pages=307|language=en}}</ref> Archaeological evidence from places such as [[Amaravathi, Guntur district|Amaravati]], [[Dharanikota]], and [[Vaddamanu]] suggests that the Andhra region was part of the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan Empire]]. [[Amaravati]] might have been a regional centre for the Mauryan rule. After the death of Emperor [[Ashoka]], Mauryan rule weakened around 200&nbsp;BCE and was replaced by several smaller [[Kingship and kingdom of God|kingdoms]] in the Andhra region.<ref name="Akira_2012">{{cite book |author=Akira Shimada |title=Early Buddhist Architecture in Context: The Great St?pa at Amar?vat? (ca. 300&nbsp;BCE{{snd}}300&nbsp;CE) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YweEJsuLNCUC&pg=PA33 |year=2012 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-23283-9 |pages=33–40 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223174213/https://books.google.com/books?id=YweEJsuLNCUC&pg=PA33 |archive-date=23 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Satavahana dynasty]] dominated the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan region]] from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE.<ref name="CH_2009">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H1c1UIEVH9gC&pg=PA299 |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations |author=Charles Higham |publisher=Infobase Publishing |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-4381-0996-1 |page=299 |access-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609220228/https://books.google.com/books?id=H1c1UIEVH9gC&pg=PA299 |archive-date=9 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The later Satavahanas made Dharanikota and Amaravathi their capital, which according to the Buddhists is the place where [[Nagarjuna]], the philosopher of [[Mahayana]] lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.<ref>{{cite book |author=David M. Knipe |title=Vedic Voices: Intimate Narratives of a Living Andhra Tradition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8oUSBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |year=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-026673-8 |pages=8–9 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409114500/https://books.google.com/books?id=8oUSBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |archive-date=9 April 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Andhra Ikshvaku]]s, with their capital at [[Vijayapuri South|Vijayapuri]], succeeded the Satavahanas in the [[Krishna River]] valley in the latter half of the 2nd century.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Subramanian|first1=K. R.|title=Buddhist Remains in Andhra and the History of Andhra Between 225 and 610 A.D.|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=9788120604445|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vnO2BMPdYEoC&q=andhra+ikshvaku&pg=PA82|language=en|year=1989}}</ref> Pallavas, who were originally executive officers under the Satavahana kings, were not a recognised political power before the 2nd century CE and were swept away by the [[Western Chalukya Empire|Western Chalukyan]] invasion, led by [[Pulakeshin II|Pulakesin II]] in the first quarter of the 7th century CE.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ancient and medieval history of Andhra Pradesh|url=https://archive.org/details/ancientmedievalh0000ragh|url-access=registration|work=P. Raghunadha Rao|publisher=Sterling Publishers, 1993|page=[https://archive.org/details/ancientmedievalh0000ragh/page/68 68]|access-date=9 June 2014|isbn=9788120714953|year=1993}}</ref> After the downfall of the Ikshvakus, the [[Vishnukundina dynasty|Vishnukundinas]] were the first great dynasty in the 5th and 6th centuries, and held sway over the entire Andhra country, including [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] and parts of [[Telangana]]. They played an important role in the history of Deccan during the 5th and 6th century CE, with [[Eluru]], [[Amaravati|Amaravathi]] and Puranisangam.<ref>{{cite web|title=History outline of Andhra Pradesh|url=http://bieap.gov.in/Pdf/TTPaperIYR2.pdf|website=Board of Intermediate Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713055335/http://bieap.gov.in/Pdf/TTPaperIYR2.pdf|archive-date=13 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Salankayana dynasty|Salankayanas]] were an ancient dynasty that ruled the Andhra region between [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna district|Krishna]] with their capital at Vengi (modern [[Pedavegi]]) from 300 to 440&nbsp;CE.<ref name="Ancient Indian History and civilization By S. N. Sen">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&q=Salankayanas&pg=PA433|title=Ancient Indian History and civilization By S. N. Sen|isbn=9788122411980|last1=Sen|first1=Sailendra Nath|date=1 January 1999}}</ref> The [[Eastern Chalukyas]] of [[Vengi]], whose dynasty lasted for around five hundred years from the 7th century until 1130&nbsp;CE, eventually merged with the [[Chola dynasty]]. They continued to rule under the protection of the Chola dynasty until 1189&nbsp;CE when the kingdom succumbed to the [[Hoysala Empire|Hoysalas]] and the [[Yadava]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/eastern-chalukyas/|title=About Eastern Chalukyas – Official AP State Government Portal – AP State Portal|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617075255/http://www.ap.gov.in/eastern-chalukyas/|archive-date=17 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The roots of the [[Telugu language]] have been seen on inscriptions found near the [[Guntur district]] and from others dating to the rule of [[Telugu Chodas|Renati Cholas]] in the fifth century [[Common Era|CE]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Age of Telugu language|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article1971071.ece|access-date=31 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903183458/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article1971071.ece|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Salomon|first=Richard|title=Indian epigraphy : a guide to the study of inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the other Indo-Aryan languages|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-19-509984-3|page=106|edition=1. publ.}}</ref> Kayastha chiefs descended from [[Chitraguptavanshi Kayastha|North Indian Kayastha]]s ruled over vast swathes of land in Andhra country, and they are recorded in Andhra history dating back to the 13th century <small>CE</small>.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Government|first=Andhra Pradesh|title=The History Of Andhra Pradesh Government Archaeological Series|year=1960|pages=103|quote=the Kayastha chiefs of the Kakatiyās had dislodged the Pandyan occupation of this area.}}</ref> [[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiyas]] ruled Andhra Pradesh state for nearly two hundred years and constructed several forts. They were succeeded by the [[Musunuri Nayakas|Musunuri Nayaks]]. Musunuri Nayaks led a confederation of Nayakas to overthrow the rule of the [[Delhi]] Sultanate in Telugu lands.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y2noBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT194|title=Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India|last=Saravanan|first=V. Hari|date=2014|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=9789384391492|pages=194|language=en}}</ref> The [[Reddi Kingdom|Reddi kingdom]] (1325–1448&nbsp;CE) was established by Prolaya Vema Reddi in the early 14th century, who ruled from present day Kondaveedu. Prolaya Vema Reddi was part of the confederation of states that started a movement against the invading [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] Muslim armies of the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. They constructed [[Kondaveedu Fort]] {{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}, which they ruled between 1328 and 1428, before it was taken over by the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajpathis]] of Orissa, and later ravaged by the [[Muslims|Muslim]] rulers of the [[Bahmani Sultanate|Bahmani kingdom]] in 1458. The [[Vijayanagara]] emperor [[Krishnadevaraya]] captured it in 1516. The [[Qutb Shahi dynasty|Golconda]] [[Sultan]]s fought for the fort in 1531, 1536 and 1579, and Sultan [[Quli Qutb Shah]] captured it in 1579, renaming it ''Murtuzanagar''. It was reconquered by Vijayanagara who overthrew sultanate rule across the entirety of modern-day Andhra Pradesh (excluding Telangana). After this rebellion, the Bahmani sultans launched no further military campaigns outside their kingdoms, because the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha empire]] soon emerged as the strongest power in India.<ref name=gazette>{{cite web|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?volume=15&objectid=DS405.1.I34_V15_399.gif|title=Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 15 1931|work=Kondaveedu|page=393|access-date=20 October 2009|publisher=Digital South Asia Library|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613100037/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?volume=15&objectid=DS405.1.I34_V15_399.gif|archive-date=13 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Sewell>{{Cite book|last=Sewell|first=Robert|title=Lists of inscriptions, and sketch of the dynasties of Southern India, Archaeological Survey of India|work=Kondaveedu Reddy Chiefs…|pages=[https://archive.org/details/listsinscriptio00sewegoog/page/n204 187]–188|access-date=21 October 2009|url=https://archive.org/details/listsinscriptio00sewegoog|publisher=E. Keys at the Government Press|year=1884}}</ref><ref name=gallery>{{cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/other/019wdz000000739u00000000.html|title=Kondavid-durg near Guntur. 19 February 1804. Signed 'W.R.'|access-date=20 October 2009|publisher=British on line Gallery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018115359/http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/other/019wdz000000739u00000000.html|archive-date=18 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Efforts are in progress to classify [[Kondaveedu Fort]] as a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/dec/11/kondaveedu-fort-likely-to-get-unesco-heritage-status-1547919.html|title=Kondaveedu fort likely to get UNESCO heritage status|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063404/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/dec/11/kondaveedu-fort-likely-to-get-unesco-heritage-status-1547919.html|archive-date=18 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Raaja mahal 1.JPG|thumb|Rajmahal of [[Chandragiri]] Fort]] The [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] Empire originated in the [[Deccan Plateau]] region in the early 14th century. It was established in 1336 by [[Harihara I|Harihara Raya I]] and his brother [[Bukka Raya I]] of the [[Sangama dynasty|Sangama Dynasty]].<ref name="Book of Duarte Barbosa">By James Mansel Longworth page 204</ref><ref name="The madras journal of literature and science, year 1882">edited by J C morris page 261</ref> The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in [[Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Sanskrit]], while [[Carnatic music]] evolved into its current form.<ref name="Kannadaempire">Historians such as [[P. B. Desai]] (''History of Vijayanagar Empire'', 1936), [[Henry Heras]] (''The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara'', 1927), [[B. A. Saletore]] (''Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire'', 1930), G.S. Gai (Archaeological Survey of India), William Coelho (''The Hoysala Vamsa'', 1955) and Kamath (Kamath 2001, pp. 157–160)</ref> During the Vijayanagara Empire, the [[Pemmasani Nayaks]] controlled parts of Andhra Pradesh and had large mercenary armies that were the vanguard of the Vijayanagara Empire in the sixteenth century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stein |first=Burton |author-link=Burton Stein |year=1989 |title=The New Cambridge History of India: Vijayanagara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OpxeaYQbGDMC&pg=PA1 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26693-2 |page=88 |quote= "Controlling numerous villages and many large towns, these powerful chiefs commanded large mercenary armies that were the vanguard of Vijayanagara forces during the sixteenth century."}}</ref> The [[Lepakshi]] group of monuments are culturally and archaeologically significant as it is the location of shrines dedicated to [[Shiva]], [[Vishnu]], and [[Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi|Veerabhadra]] which were built during the Vijayanagara Kings' period (1336–1646). The temples are the location of mural paintings of the Vijayanagara kings, Dravidian art, and inscriptions. Near the temple complex is a large granite [[Nandi (mythology)|Nandi bull]]. On a hillock known as ''Kurma Saila'' ('tortoise-shaped hill') are other temples to [[Papanatheswara]], [[Raghunatha]], [[Rama|Srirama]], and [[Durga]].<ref name="deccanchronicle.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/150417/andhra-pradesh-eyes-unesco-tag-for-its-heritage-sites.html|title=Andhra Pradesh eyes Unesco tag for its heritage sites|date=15 April 2017|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204062044/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/150417/andhra-pradesh-eyes-unesco-tag-for-its-heritage-sites.html|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/move-to-get-world-heritage-status-for-buddhist-sites/article17533703.ece|title=Move to get world heritage status for Sankaram|first1=B. Madhu|last1=Gopal|date=20 March 2017|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> The Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken the initiative for including the "Lepakshi Group of Monuments" among the [[List of World Heritage Sites in India|UNESCO World Heritage sites in India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2000/11/27/stories/102772a4.htm|title=The Lepakshi heritage|website=Business Line}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amaravativoice.com/News/lepakshi-may-get-world-heritage-status|title=Lepakshi May Get World Heritage Status|first=Amaravati|last=Voice|website=amaravativoice.com|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204114610/http://www.amaravativoice.com/News/lepakshi-may-get-world-heritage-status|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> === Modern history === [[File:Gandikota fort view.jpg|thumb|Gandikota fort view]] [[Harihara]] and [[Bukka]], who served as treasury officers of the [[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiyas]] of [[Warangal]], founded the [[Vijayanagara Empire]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sewell |first1=Robert |last2=Nunes |first2=Fernão |last3=Paes |first3=Domingos |title=A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A contribution to the history of India |date=1900 |publisher=S. Sonnenschein & co ., ltd. |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/aforgottenempir00paesgoog |language=en |chapter=Origin of the Empire (A.D. 1336)}}</ref> In 1347 [[Common Era|CE]], an independent Muslim state, the [[Bahmani Sultanate]], was established in [[south India]] by [[Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah]] in a revolt against the Delhi Sultanate. The [[Qutb Shahi dynasty]] held sway over the Andhra country after the resolution of Vijayanagar empire by joint action of Mughals, Bijapur and Golconda sultanates.<ref name="Richards">{{Cite journal|last=Richards|first=J. F.|title=The Hyderabad Karnatik, 1687–1707|year=1975|journal=[[Modern Asian Studies]]|volume=9|issue=2|pages=241–260|doi=10.1017/S0026749X00004996|s2cid=142989123}}</ref> In the early nineteenth century, [[Northern Circars]] was ceded to the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] and became part of the [[Madras Presidency]]. Eventually, this region emerged as the [[Coastal Andhra]] region. Later the [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam rulers of Hyderabad]] ceded five territories to the British that eventually became the [[Rayalaseema]] region. The Nizams retained control of the interior provinces as the [[princely state]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], acknowledging [[British Raj|British rule]] in return for local autonomy. However, [[Komaram Bheem]], a tribal leader, started his fight against the erstwhile [[Asaf Jahi dynasty|Asaf Jahi Dynasty]] for the liberation of Hyderabad State.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/18/stories/2005091816590500.htm | location=Chennai, India | date=18 September 2005 | title=Tributes paid to Telangana martyrs | access-date=14 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203205044/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/18/stories/2005091816590500.htm | archive-date=3 December 2014 | work=[[The Hindu]] | url-status=dead}}</ref> Meanwhile, the [[French colonial empire|French]] occupied [[Yanam]], in the Godavari delta, and (save for periods of British control) would hold it until 1954. In 1947, Vizianagaram was the largest Hindu princely state in Andhra Pradesh. In 1839 just before the [[British Raj]], a cyclone struck [[Coringa, East Godavari district]] and toppled buildings, as a result 20,000 ships were destroyed and over 300,000 people were killed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Reid|first=William|title=The progress of the development of the law of storms...|url=https://archive.org/details/progressdevelop00reidgoog|year=1849|publisher=J. Weale|page=105}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Balfour|first=Edward|title=The cyclopaedia of India and of eastern and southern Asia|volume=2|year=1885|publisher=B. Quaritch|page=125}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Chambers|first=William|title=Chambers's Papers for the people|url=https://archive.org/details/chambersspapers03ltdgoog|year=1851|page=15}}</ref> [[Indian independence movement|India became independent]] from the [[British Raj]] in 1947. The 7th [[Nizam]] wanted to retain the independence of the Princely [[Hyderabad State]] from India, but the people of the region launched a movement to join the Indian Union. The state of Hyderabad was integrated into the [[Dominion of India|Indian Union]] with [[Annexation of Hyderabad|Operation Polo]] in 1948.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,799076-2,00.html |magazine=Time |title=HYDERABAD: The Holdout |date=30 August 1948 |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522212635/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C799076-2%2C00.html |archive-date=22 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> === Post-independence === {{See also|Andhra State|Vishalandhra Movement|United Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Archaeological Museums map of Andhra Pradesh.png|thumb|Archaeological Museums map of Andhra Pradesh]] In an effort to gain an independent state based on linguistic identity, and to protect the interests of the Telugu-speaking people of [[Madras State]], [[Potti Sreeramulu]] fasted to death in 1952. As Madras became a bone of contention, in 1949 a JVP committee report stated: "Andhra Province could be formed provided the Andhras give up their claim on the city of Madras [now Chennai]". After Potti Sreeramulu's death, the Telugu-speaking area of [[Andhra State]] was carved out of [[Madras State]] on 1 October 1953, with [[Kurnool]] as its capital city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html#Emergence |title=Post-Independence Era, then and now |publisher=aponline.gov.in |access-date=3 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220113947/http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html |archive-date=20 December 2013 }}</ref> On the basis of the [[Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956|gentlemen's agreement]] of 1 November 1956, the [[States Reorganisation Act, 1956|States Reorganisation Act]] formed [[United Andhra Pradesh (1956-2014)|combined Andhra Pradesh]] by merging the Telugu-speaking areas of the already existing [[Hyderabad State]].<ref name="Know Hyderabad">{{cite web |title=Know Hyderabad: History |url=http://hyderabadonline.in/Profile/History/ |publisher=Pan India Network |year=2010 |access-date=5 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921144224/http://hyderabadonline.in/Profile/History/ |archive-date=21 September 2010 }}</ref> Hyderabad was made the capital of the new state. The Marathi-speaking areas of Hyderabad State merged with [[Bombay State]] and the Kannada-speaking areas were merged with [[Mysore State]]. In February 2014, the [[Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014|Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act]] bill was passed by the [[Parliament of India]] for the formation of the [[Telangana]] state comprising [[List of districts of Telangana|ten districts]]. [[Hyderabad]] will remain as a joint capital for not exceeding ten years.<ref name="reorganisation">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiacode.nic.in/acts2014/6%20of%202014.pdf|title=The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014|date=1 March 2014|website=India Code Legislative Department|publisher=Ministry of Law and Justice|page=2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034307/http://www.indiacode.nic.in/acts2014/6%20of%202014.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> The new state of Telangana came into existence on 2 June 2014 after approval from the [[President of India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Telangana-State-to-Be-Born-on-June-2/2014/03/04/article2090470.ece|title=Telangana state formation gazette|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706093144/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Telangana-State-to-Be-Born-on-June-2/2014/03/04/article2090470.ece|archive-date=6 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Number of petitions questioning the validity of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 is long pending for the verdict since April 2014 before the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] constitutional bench.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/supreme-court-refers-telangana-petitions-to-constitution-bench-492795|title=Supreme court refers Telangana petitions to constitution bench|publisher=NDTV|access-date=17 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042049/http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/supreme-court-refers-telangana-petitions-to-constitution-bench-492795|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] began operating from the newly planned capital city [[Amaravati]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Andhra Pradesh To Get New Capital Amaravati Today, PM Modi To Inaugurate|url=https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-andhra-pradeshs-new-capital-amaravati-today-1235078|access-date=9 March 2021|work=NDTV|date=22 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=P|first=Ashish|date=2 March 2017|title=Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates new Andhra Pradesh Assembly|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/new-andhra-pradesh-assembly-chandrababu-naidu-velagapudi-guntur-district-963618-2017-03-02|access-date=9 March 2021|work=India Today|language=en}}</ref> In August 2020, [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] passed [[Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020]].<ref name="3caps">{{Cite news|title=YS Jaganmohan Reddy's three-capital plan on track as Andhra Pradesh governor gives nod to two bills|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/vijayawada/ys-jaganmohan-reddys-three-capital-plan-on-track-as-andhra-pradesh-governor-gives-nod-to-two-bills/amp_articleshow/77296660.cms}}</ref> The decision resulted in widespread [[2019–2020 Amaravati protests|protests by the farmers of Amaravati]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sudhir|first1=Uma|date=13 January 2020|title=Won't Celebrate Harvest Festival, Say Amaravati Farmers Amid Protests|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/amaravati-farmers-protesting-over-andhra-pradesh-capital-proposal-say-wont-celebrate-sankranti-2163126|access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> The act has been challenged in [[Andhra Pradesh High Court]], which ordered to maintain status quo until the court completes its hearing. On 22 November 2021, the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|government]], led by [[Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy]], has withdrawn the [[Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020|act]]. The Chief Minister, however, said his government would bring a better and more complete bill.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh Withdraws Controversial 3-Capital Bill|url=https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/andhra-pradesh-to-withdraw-controversial-3-capital-bill-2620180|access-date=22 November 2021|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> == Geography == {{Main|Geography of Andhra Pradesh|List of districts of Andhra Pradesh|List of rivers in Andhra Pradesh}} <gallery mode="packed" heights="150"> File:Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Physical.jpeg|Andhra Pradesh topographical map File:AP map.jpg|Map of Andhra Pradesh File:Srisailam Dam and River Krishna.jpg|[[Krishna River]] at Srisailam </gallery> The state has varied [[topography]] ranging from the hills of [[Eastern Ghats]] and [[Nallamala Hills]] to the shores of [[Bay of Bengal]] that support varied ecosystems, the rich diversity of flora and fauna. There are two main rivers namely, [[Krishna River|Krishna]] and [[Godavari River|Godavari]], that flow through the state. The [[Coastline of Andhra Pradesh|coastline of the state]] extends along the Bay of Bengal from [[Srikakulam district|Srikakulam]] to [[Nellore district]] with a length of 975&nbsp;km (606&nbsp;mi).<ref name=coastline>{{cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh Fact File|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/AP%20State%20Statistical%20Abstract%20May%202014/1%20ADMINISTRATIVE%20AND%20GEOGRAPHICAL%20PROFILE.pdf|website=Official portal of Andhra Pradesh Government|publisher=AP state portal|access-date=1 July 2014|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603172005/http://www.ap.gov.in/AP%20State%20Statistical%20Abstract%20May%202014/1%20ADMINISTRATIVE%20AND%20GEOGRAPHICAL%20PROFILE.pdf|archive-date=3 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The plains to the east of Eastern Ghats form the [[Eastern Coastal Plains|Eastern Coastal plains]]. The coastal plains are for the most part of delta regions formed by the Godavari, Krishna, and [[Penna River|Penna]] rivers. The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and individual sections have local names. The Eastern Ghats are a major dividing line in the state's geography. The Kadapa Basin<ref>{{cite web|title=Kadapa or Cuddapah basin|url=http://www.dghindia.org/10.aspx|publisher=Directorate General of Hydrocarbons|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606223319/http://www.dghindia.org/10.aspx|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ndrdgh.gov.in/NDR/?page_id=860 | title=Cuddapah Basin &#124; NDR – National Data Repository India}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2016}} formed by two arching branches of the Eastern Ghats is a mineral-rich area. The Ghats become more pronounced towards the south and extreme north of the coast. Most of the coastal plains are put to intense agricultural use. The [[Rayalaseema]] region has semi-arid conditions. === Natural vegetation and conservation === {{Main|Natural vegetation and Wildlife of Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Pichavaram Mangrove Forest.jpg|alt=|thumb|Mangrove forest near Kakinada]] The [[Andhra Pradesh Forest Department]] deals with protection, conservation and management of [[forest]]s. The total forest cover of the state after the bifurcation is left with an area of {{convert|22862|km2}}.<ref name=forests>{{cite web|title=Forests in AP facts. |url=http://forest.ap.nic.in/About.htm |publisher=AP Forest department |access-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507042125/http://forest.ap.nic.in/about.htm |archive-date=7 May 2015 }}</ref> The forest in the state can be broadly divided into four major biotic provinces.<ref name="flora and fauna">{{cite web|title=Natural vegetation and wildlife |url=http://forest.ap.nic.in/WLINDEX.htm |publisher=AP Forest Department |access-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704033449/http://forest.ap.nic.in/WLINDEX.htm |archive-date=4 July 2014 }}</ref> They are: # [[Deccan Plateau]] # Central Plateau # Eastern Highland # East Coastal Plains [[Eastern Ghats]] region is home to dense tropical forests, while the vegetation becomes sparse as the Ghats give way to the Deccan Plateau, where shrub vegetation is more common. The vegetation found in the state is largely of dry deciduous types with a mixture of [[teak]], ''[[Terminalia (plant)|Terminalia]]'', ''[[Dalbergia]]'', ''[[Pterocarpus]]'', ''[[Anogeissus]]'', etc. The state has many [[List of wildlife sanctuaries of India|sanctuaries]], [[List of national parks of India|national parks]] and [[Zoo Park|zoological parks]], such as [[Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary|Coringa]], [[Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve]], [[Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park]] and [[Indira Gandhi Zoological Park]]. [[Kolleru Bird Sanctuary|Atapaka Bird Sanctuary]], [[Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary]], [[Telineelapuram and Telukunchi Bird Sanctuaries]] and [[Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary]] attract many migratory birds.<ref name="lakes and wetlands">{{cite web|title=The List of Wetlands of International Importance|url=http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sitelist.pdf|website=The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands|publisher=The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)|access-date=5 June 2014|page=20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530015101/http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sitelist.pdf|archive-date=30 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The state possesses some rare and endemic plants like ''[[Cycas beddomei]]'', ''[[Pterocarpus santalinus]]'', ''Terminalia pallida'', ''[[Syzygium alternifolium]]'', ''Shorea talura'', ''Shorea tumburgia'', ''[[Psilotum nudum]]'', etc.<ref name="flora and fauna" /> The diversity of fauna includes [[tiger]]s, panthers, [[hyena]]s, [[Blackbuck|black bucks]], [[Cheetah|cheetals]], [[Sambar deer|sambars]], [[sea turtle]]s and a number of birds and reptiles. The estuaries of the Godavari and Krishna rivers support rich [[Mangrove|mangrove forests]] with [[fishing cat]]s and [[otter]]s as [[keystone species]].<ref name="flora and fauna" /> === Climate === The climate of Andhra Pradesh varies considerably, depending on the geographical region. Summers last from March to June. In the coastal plain, the summer temperatures are generally higher than the rest of the state, with temperature ranging between {{convert|20|and|41|°C}}. July to September is the season for tropical rains. About one-third of the total rainfall is brought by the [[northeast monsoon]]. October and November see low-pressure systems and [[tropical cyclone]]s form in the Bay of Bengal which, along with the northeast monsoon, bring rains to the southern and coastal regions of the state. November, December, January, and February are the winter months in Andhra Pradesh. Since the state has a long coastal belt the winters are not very cold. The range of winter temperature is generally {{convert|12|to|30|°C}}. [[Lambasingi]] in [[Visakhapatnam district]] is also nicknamed as the "Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh" due to its relatively cool climate as compared to others and the temperature ranges from {{convert|0|to|10|°C}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ganguly|first1=Nivedita|title=Lambasingi set to become tourist hotspot|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/lambasingi-set-to-become-tourist-hotspot/article6416560.ece|access-date=26 November 2014|work=The Hindu|date=17 September 2014|location=Visakhapatnam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903183458/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/lambasingi-set-to-become-tourist-hotspot/article6416560.ece|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lambasingi records 2º c|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131216/news-current-affairs/article/lambasingi-records-2%C2%BA-c|access-date=26 November 2014|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=16 December 2013|location=Visakhapatnam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713203422/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131216/news-current-affairs/article/lambasingi-records-2%C2%BA-c|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> == Demographics == {{See also|Ethnic groups of Andhra Pradesh|Demographics of Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:AP map.jpg|thumb|Andhra Pradesh Political Map]] {{Historical populations | footnote = ''Includes [[Telangana]].'' | source = Census of India<ref name=demographics /> | 1961 | 35983000 | 1971 | 43503000 | 1981 | 53550000 | 1991 | 66508000 | 2001 | 75727000 | 2011 | 84665533 }} {{As of|2011}} [[Census of India]],{{Update after|2022}} the residual state had a population of {{formatnum:49386799}} with a population density of {{convert|308|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}. According to the Polavaram ordinance bill 2014, 7 [[Tehsil|mandals]] of [[Khammam district]] in Telangana state merged with Andhra Pradesh to facilitate [[Polavaram Project|Polavaram project]], due to which population of {{formatnum:247515}} added to Andhra Pradesh. Thus the final population of Andhra Pradesh in the year 2014, as per census 2011 is {{formatnum:49634314}}, with a density of {{cvt|304.5|/km2}}. The total population constitute, 70.4% of rural population with {{formatnum:34776389}} inhabitants and 29.6% of urban population with {{formatnum:14610410}} inhabitants. Children in the age group of 0–6 years are {{formatnum:5222384}}, constituting 10.6% of the total population, among them {{formatnum:2686453}} are boys and {{formatnum:2535931}} are girls. [[Visakhapatnam district]] has the largest urban population of 47.5% and [[Srikakulam district]] with 83.8%, has the largest rural population, among others districts in the state. The overall population of the state comprises 17.1% of [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Caste]] and 5.3% of Scheduled Tribe population.<ref name=profile /> There are {{formatnum:24738068}} male and {{formatnum:24648731}} female citizens—a [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]] of 996 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 926 per 1000. The [[Literacy|literacy rate]] of the state stands at 67.41%. However, post bifurcation from Telangana, the state is expected to reach 91.1% by 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/literacy-rate-dismal-in-state/article8196745.ece|title=Literacy rate dismal in Telangana|date=5 February 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822225246/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/literacy-rate-dismal-in-state/article8196745.ece|archive-date=22 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[West Godavari district]] has the highest literacy rate of 74.6% and [[Vizianagaram district]] has the least with 58.9%.<ref name=demographics /><ref name=census>{{cite web|title=INDIA AT A GLANCE : CENSUS 2011|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/indiaatglance.html|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|access-date=9 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922103426/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/indiaatglance.html|archive-date=22 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Andhra Pradesh ranks tenth of all Indian States in the Human Development Index scores<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/Apportal/HumanDevelopmentReport2007/APHDR_2007_Chapter2.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2007|publisher=APonline.gov.in|access-date=15 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919084827/http://aponline.gov.in/Apportal/HumanDevelopmentReport2007/APHDR_2007_Chapter2.pdf|archive-date=19 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> with a score of 0.416. The [[National Council of Applied Economic Research]] district analysis in 2001 reveals that [[Krishna district|Krishna]], West Godavari and [[Chittoor district|Chittoor]] are the three districts in rural AP with the highest Human Development Index scores in ascending order. [[File:Vizag View from Kailasagiri.jpg|thumb|800px|center|{{center|[[Visakhapatnam]] is the most populous city in Andhra Pradesh, and the [[List of most populous cities in India|14th-largest city in India]].}}]] {{Largest cities | country = Andhra Pradesh | stat_ref = As per the [[List of cities in Andhra Pradesh|2011 Census]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh (India): State, Major Agglomerations & Cities – Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/India-AndhraPradesh.html|access-date=7 September 2020|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref> | list_by_pop = List of cities in Andhra Pradesh | div_name = District | div_link = List of districts in Andhra Pradesh{{!}}District | city_1 = Visakhapatnam | div_1 = Visakhapatnam district{{!}}Visakhapatnam | pop_1 = 1,728,128 | img_1 = Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal 20161226-DSC09580.jpg | city_2 = Vijayawada | div_2 = NTR district{{!}} NTR District | pop_2 = 1,476,931 | img_2 = Vijayawada from Gandhi Hill.jpg | city_3 = Guntur | div_3 = Guntur district{{!}}Guntur | pop_3 = 743,354 | img_3 = Panoramic view of Guntur.JPG | city_4 = Nellore | div_4 = Nellore district{{!}}Nellore | pop_4 = 558,548 | img_4 = Nellore city (Andhra Pradesh - India) .jpg | city_5 = Kurnool | div_5 = Kurnool district{{!}}Kurnool | pop_5 = 484,327 | city_6 = Rajahmundry | div_6 = East Godavari district{{!}}East Godavari | pop_6 = 476,873 | city_7 = Tirupati | div_7 = Tirupati district{{!}}Tirupati | pop_7 = 461,900 | city_8 = Kakinada | div_8 = Kakinada district{{!}}Kakinada | pop_8 = 443,028 | city_9 = Mangalagiri Tadepalli | div_9 = Guntur district{{!}}Guntur | pop_9 = 374,893 | city_10 = Kadapa | div_10 = Kadapa district{{!}}Kadapa | pop_10 = 344,893 }} === Languages === {{Pie chart |label1=[[Telugu language|Telugu]] |value1=89.65 |label2=[[Urdu]] |value2=6.57 |label3=[[Tamil language|Tamil]] |value3=1.04 |value4=2.74 |label4=Others |color1=pink |color2=green |color3=gold |color4=Grey |caption=Languages of Andhra Pradesh, excluding Telangana (Mandals transferred to Andhra Pradesh in 2014 were counted in Andhra Pradesh) (2011)<ref name="census2011-langreport">{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> }} [[Telugu language|Telugu]] is the official language of Andhra Pradesh, which is also the mother tongue of nearly 90% of the population.<ref name="census2011-langreport" /><ref name="language">{{cite web|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/telugu-language/|title=Telugu Language|website=AP State Portal|publisher=Government of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619202615/http://www.ap.gov.in/telugu-language/|archive-date=19 June 2015|access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="nclmanurep2010">{{cite web|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM47thReport.pdf|title=Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 47th report (July 2008 to June 2010)|publisher=Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India|pages=122–126|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513161847/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM47thReport.pdf|archive-date=13 May 2012|access-date=16 February 2012}}</ref> The Minister of Tourism and Culture has declared Telugu a [[Classical languages of India#Classical|Classical Language]].<ref name="Classical Language">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=44340|title=Classical Language|publisher=Press Information Bureau|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819070902/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=44340|archive-date=19 August 2014|access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref> [[Urdu]] is the largest minority language and also the second official language of Andhra Pradesh.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="census2011-langreport" /> [[Tamil Nadu|Tamil]], [[Kannada]] and [[Odia language|Odia]] are also spoken mainly in the border-areas. [[Lambadi]], [[Koya language|Koya]], [[Sora language|Savara]], [[Konda language (Dravidian)|Konda]], [[Ollari language|Gadaba]] and a number of other languages are spoken by the Scheduled Tribes of the state.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh {{!}} History, Capital, Population, Map, & Points of Interest|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Andhra-Pradesh|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> === Religion === {{Main|Religion in Andhra Pradesh}} {{Pie chart|label1=[[Hinduism]]|label2=[[Islam in India|Islam]]|label3=[[Christianity in Andhra Pradesh|Christianity]]|value1=90.87|value2=7.32|value3=1.38|value4=0.43|color1=darkorange|color2=green|color3=blue|color4=chartreuse|label4=Others|caption=Religion in Andhra Pradesh (excluding Telangana)<ref name="census2011">{{cite web | title = Census of India – Religious Composition | publisher = Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html | access-date = 27 August 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150913045700/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html | archive-date = 13 September 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>}} The majority of the people in Andhra Pradesh are Hindus while Muslims constitute a sizeable minority. According to the 2011 census, the major religious groups in the state are Hindus (90.87%), Muslims (7.32%) and Christians (1.38%). Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and the people who declined to state their religion make up the remaining portion of population.<ref name="census2011" /> <gallery mode="packed" heights="134"> File:Sri Kala Hasti.jpg|[[Srikalahasti]] Temple File:Tirumala 090615.jpg|[[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala]] File:Rock-cut Lord --Buddha-- Statue at Bojjanakonda near Anakapalle of Visakhapatnam dist in AP.jpg|Rock-cut [[Buddha]] statue at [[Bojjannakonda]] near [[Anakapalle]], [[Visakhapatnam]]. </gallery> ==== Hinduism ==== [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Venkateswara Temple]] at [[Tirupati]] is the world's second-richest [[Hindu temple|temple]] and is visited by millions of devotees throughout the year. Andhra Pradesh is home to Shankaracharya of Pushpagiri Peetham. Other Hindu saints include [[Sadasiva Brahmendra]], [[Kannappa|Bhaktha Kannappa]], [[Vemana|Yogi Vemana]], [[Sathya Sai Baba]] and [[Potuluri Veerabrahmam|Pothuluru Veerabrahmendra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mihira.com/wisdommasters/veerabrahmam.htm |title=Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swami |publisher=Mihira.com |access-date=29 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120050546/http://www.mihira.com/wisdommasters/veerabrahmam.htm |archive-date=20 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==== Mahayana Buddhism ==== Buddhism spread to Andhra Pradesh early in its history. The Krishna river valley was "a site of extraordinary Buddhist activity for almost a thousand years."<ref>Davidson, Ronald. ''Tibetan Renaissance''. Columbia 2005, pp. 29.</ref> The ancient Buddhist sites in the lower Krishna valley, including Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda and [[Jaggayyapeta]] "can be traced to at least the third century BCE, if not earlier."<ref>Padma, Sree. Barber, Anthony W. ''Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra.'' SUNY Press 2008, pg. 2.</ref> The region played a central role in the development of [[Mahayana|Mahayana Buddhism]], along with the [[Magadha]]-area in northeastern India.<ref>Padma, Sree. Barber, Anthony W. ''Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra.'' SUNY Press 2008, p.1</ref><ref>Peter Harvey (2013), ''An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices'', Cambridge University Press, p.108</ref> [[A. K. Warder]] holds that "the Mahāyāna originated in the south of India and almost certainly in the Andhra country."<ref>Warder, A. K. ''Indian Buddhism''. 2000. p. 313</ref> According to Xing, "Several scholars have suggested that the Prajnaparamita probably developed among the Mahasamghikas in Southern India probably in the Andhra country, on the Krishna River."<ref>Guang Xing. ''The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to the Trikaya Theory.'' 2004. pp. 65–66</ref> The [[Prajnaparamita|Prajñāpāramitā]] Sutras belong to the earliest [[Mahayana sutras|Mahayana Sutras]].<ref>Williams, Paul. ''Buddhist Thought''. Routledge, 2000, pages 131.</ref><ref>Williams, Paul. ''Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations 2nd edition.'' Routledge, 2009, pg. 47.</ref> == Administrative divisions == === Regions === Andhra Pradesh comprises three regions: [[Coastal Andhra]], [[Uttarandhra]] and [[Rayalaseema]]. === Districts === {{Main|List of districts in Andhra Pradesh|}} It has a total of 26 districts, twelve in Coastal Andhra region, six in Uttarandhra and eight in the Rayalaseema region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population of AP districts(2011)|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/districts/|publisher=ap.gov.in|access-date=25 May 2014|page=14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317171205/http://www.ap.gov.in/districts/|archive-date=17 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> '''Coastal Andhra''' region : {{div col}} # [[East Godavari district|East Godavari]] # [[Guntur district|Guntur]] # [[Krishna district|Krishna]] # [[Bapatla district|Bapatla]] # [[Konaseema district|Konaseema]] # [[NTR district|NTR]] # [[Palnadu district|Palnadu]] # [[Nellore district|Nellore]] # [[Eluru district|Eluru]] # [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]] # [[West Godavari district|West Godavari]] # [[Kakinada district|Kakinada]] {{div col end}} '''Uttarandhra''' region : {{div col}} # [[Srikakulam district|Srikakulam]] # [[Visakhapatnam district|Visakhapatnam]] # [[Parvathipuram Manyam district|Parvathipuram]] # [[Alluri Sitarama Raju district|Alluri Sitarama Raju]] # [[Anakapalle district|Anakapalle]] # [[Vizianagaram district|Vizianagaram]] {{div col end}} '''Rayalaseema''' region : {{div col}} # [[Anantapur district|Anantapur]] # [[Annamayya district|Annamayya]] # [[Chittoor district|Chittoor]] # [[Kadapa district|Kadapa]] # [[Kurnool district|Kurnool]] # [[Nandyal district|Nandyal]] # [[Sri Sathya Sai district|Sri Sathya Sai]] # [[Tirupati district|Tirupati]] {{div col end}} === Revenue divisions === {{Main|List of Revenue Divisions in Andhra Pradesh}} These 26 districts are further divided into 74 [[revenue division]]s.<ref name=profile /><ref>{{cite web|title=Part-I State Administrative Divisions 2001–2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/maps/atlas/28part1.pdf|publisher=Census of India|access-date=18 January 2015|page=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122230816/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/maps/atlas/28part1.pdf|archive-date=22 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> === Mandals === {{Main|List of mandals in Andhra Pradesh}} The 74 revenue divisions are in turn divided into 679 [[Tehsil|mandals]].<ref name="districts&mandals">{{cite web|title=Administrative and Geographical Profile |url=http://msmehyd.ap.nic.in/PROFILE%20-AP.pdf |website=msmehyd.ap.nic.in |access-date=3 September 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911225305/http://msmehyd.ap.nic.in/PROFILE%20-AP.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2016 }}</ref> === Cities === There are a total of [[List of urban agglomerations in Andhra Pradesh|31 cities]] which include, [[List of municipal corporations in India|16 municipal corporations]] and [[List of cities in Andhra Pradesh|14 municipalities]]. There are two cities with [[List of cities in India by population|more than one million]] inhabitants, namely [[Visakhapatnam]] and [[Vijayawada]]. == Government and politics == {{Main|Government of Andhra Pradesh|Politics of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh Legislature}} [[File:Guntur District Court, India.jpg|thumbnail|District court, Guntur]] [[File:District Collectorate of West Godavari (May 2019) 3.jpg|thumb|West Godavari district Collectorate complex, Eluru]] [[File:23 - Telugu Talli Statue with Kondareddy Buruju as background.JPG|thumb|Telugu Talli Statue near Kondareddy Buruju, Kurnool]] When the state was first created, [[Tanguturi Prakasam]] Pantulu, became the [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Minister]]. After the unification with Telangana, [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]] became the first [[List of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh|Chief Minister]]. He later served as the [[List of presidents of India|President of India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/kiran-beats-pv-rosaiah-anjaiah-in-tenure/article4132949.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 November 2012|title=Kiran beats PV, Rosaiah, Anjaiah in tenure|access-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220234650/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/kiran-beats-pv-rosaiah-anjaiah-in-tenure/article4132949.ece|archive-date=20 December 2013|url-status=live|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3529044.ece?homepage=true|title=The Hindu, on the election and Presidency|date=15 June 2012|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015201558/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3529044.ece?homepage=true|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=live|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), the [[Praja Socialist Party]] and the Krishi Lok Party were the major parties in the 1950s. Later the [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI) became the dominant opposition party. In the [[1967 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1967 state assembly elections]], all socialist parties were eliminated and the CPI lost opposition party status. The INC ruled the state from 1956 to 1982. In 1983, the [[Telugu Desam Party]] (TDP) won the state elections and [[N. T. Rama Rao]] became the Chief Minister of the state for the first time. This broke the long-time single party monopoly enjoyed by the INC. The [[1989 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1989 elections]] ended the rule of Rao, with the INC returning to power with [[Marri Chenna Reddy]] at the helm. He was replaced by [[N. Janardhana Reddy|Janardhan Reddy]] in 1990, who was replaced by [[Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy]] in 1992. In [[1994 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1994]], Andhra Pradesh gave a mandate to the Telugu Desam Party again, and Rao became the Chief Minister again. [[N. Chandrababu Naidu|Nara Chandrababu Naidu]], Rao's son-in-law, came to power in 1995 with the backing of a majority of the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]]. The Telugu Desam Party won both the [[1999 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|assembly]] and [[Lok Sabha]] [[1999 Indian general election|election]] in 1999 under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu. Thus Naidu held the record for the longest-serving Chief Minister (1995 to 2004).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/401839/Nara-Chandrababu-Naidu|title= Length of time as Chief Minister|access-date= 20 December 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195811/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/401839/Nara-Chandrababu-Naidu|archive-date= 10 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2004]], Congress returned to power with a new chief ministerial face, [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy|YS Rajashekara Reddy]], better known as YSR. He also won the [[2009 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2009 elections]], but shortly afterward was killed in a [[2009 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister helicopter crash|helicopter crash]] in September of that year. He was succeeded by two other Congressmen, namely [[Konijeti Rosaiah]] and [[Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy]], the last resigning over the impending [[Telangana movement|division]] of [[Telangana]]. In the last elections held in the unified state in [[2014 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2014]], the TDP got a mandate in their favour in the residuary (new) state. After Telangana became a separate state, Naidu, the chief of the TDP became the Chief Minister on 8 June 2014, for the new state of Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deccan-journal.com/content/cbn-take-oath-june-8th|title=CBN to be sworn as CM of Andhra on June 8th|work=Deccan-Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714011154/http://deccan-journal.com/content/cbn-take-oath-june-8th|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> As of 2014, the [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh]] is the lower house of the state with 175 members and the [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] is the upper house with 58 members. In the [[Parliament of India]], Andhra Pradesh has 11 seats in the [[Rajya Sabha]], and 25 seats in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apassemblylive.com |title=Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050401032522/http://www.apassemblylive.com/ |archive-date=1 April 2005 }}</ref> There are a total of 175 [[List of constituencies of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Assembly constituencies]] in the state. [[East Godavari|East Godavari district]] has the highest number of constituencies with 19 and [[Vizianagaram district]] has the least with 9 assembly seats.<ref>{{cite web|title=DELIMITATION OF PARLIAMENTARY AND ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES ORDER, 2008|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=11 October 2014|pages=16–28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005180821/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Whereas, the legislative council of the state has 58 seats, which is one-third of total assembly seats.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overview|url=http://www.aplegislature.org/web/legislative-council/overview|website=AP Legislature|publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=23 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519055636/http://www.aplegislature.org/web/legislative-council/overview|archive-date=19 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2019 elections]], YSR's son [[Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy]] of the [[YSR Congress Party]] (founded in 2011) became the Chief Minister with a resounding mandate by winning 151 out of 175 seats. == Economy == {{Main|Economy of Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:vizagcity.jpg|thumb|right|[[Visakhapatnam]] is an important commercial hub of the state]] [[File:Visakhapatnam view from Vizag seaport.JPG|thumb|Visakhapatnam skyline, overlooking seaport|alt=seaport distance view]] Andhra Pradesh was ranked eighth among other Indian states in terms of [[Gross regional domestic product|GSDP]] for the financial year 2014–2015. The GSDP at current prices was {{INRConvert|5200.3|b|abbr=on}} and at constant prices was {{INRConvert|2645.21|b|abbr=on}}.<ref name="gsdp">{{cite web|title=Indian states by GDP|url=http://statisticstimes.com/economy/gdp-of-indian-states.php|website=Statistics Times|access-date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216151608/http://statisticstimes.com/economy/gdp-of-indian-states.php|archive-date=16 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The domestic product of agriculture sector accounts for {{INRConvert|545.99|b|abbr=on}} and industrial sector for {{INRConvert|507.45|b|abbr=on}}. The service sector of the state accounts more percentage of the GSDP with a total of {{INRConvert|1305.87|b|abbr=on}}.<ref name="economy">{{cite web|title=Economy|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/AP%20State%20Statistical%20Abstract%20May%202014/4_AP_Economy.pdf|website=Official portal of Andhra Pradesh Government|publisher=AP state portal|access-date=21 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715004343/http://www.ap.gov.in/AP%20State%20Statistical%20Abstract%20May%202014/4_AP_Economy.pdf|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 2010 list by ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, several people from Andhra Pradesh were among the top [[List of Indian people by net worth|100 richest Indians]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/77/india-rich-10_Indias-Richest_Rank.html |title=India's Richest |work=Forbes |date=29 September 2010 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022214850/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/77/india-rich-10_Indias-Richest_Rank.html |archive-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> === Agriculture === <gallery mode="packed" heights="134"> File:Konaseema greenery 1.JPG|Lush green farms in [[Konaseema]], [[East Godavari district|East Godavari]] File:Map of Sugar industries in Andhra Pradesh.png|Map of Sugar industries in Andhra Pradesh </gallery> Andhra Pradesh's economy is mainly based on agriculture and livestock. Four important rivers of India, the [[Godavari River|Godavari]], [[Krishna River|Krishna]], [[Penner River|Penna]], and [[Tungabhadra River|Tungabhadra]] flow through the state and provide irrigation. 60 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture and related activities. [[Rice]] is the major food crop and staple food of the state. It is an exporter of many agricultural products and is also known as "Rice Bowl of India".<ref>{{cite news|author1=Appaji Reddem|title=Rice bowl of India|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/rice-bowl-of-india-worst-hit/article5227645.ece|access-date=7 June 2014|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830191546/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/rice-bowl-of-india-worst-hit/article5227645.ece|archive-date=30 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=rice>{{cite book|title=India Today|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-37462-3|page=36|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wWDnTWrz4O8C&q=Rice+Bowl+of+India&pg=PA36|access-date=15 November 2014|date=30 September 2011}}</ref> The state has three Agricultural Economic Zones in Chittoor district for mango pulp and vegetables, Krishna district for mangoes, Guntur district for chilies.<ref>{{cite news|title=United AP stood second in agri exports|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/united-ap-stood-second-in-agri-exports/article8116244.ece|access-date=17 January 2016|work=The Hindu|date=17 January 2016|location=Vijayawada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117011133/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/united-ap-stood-second-in-agri-exports/article8116244.ece|archive-date=17 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Besides rice, farmers also grow [[Sorghum bicolor|jowar]], [[Pearl millet|bajra]], [[maize]], minor millet, coarse grain, many varieties of [[Legume|pulses]], [[Vegetable oil|oil seeds]], [[sugarcane]], [[cotton]], [[chili pepper]], [[mango]] nuts and [[tobacco]]. Crops used for vegetable oil production such as [[Helianthus|sunflower]] and [[peanut]]s are popular. There are many multi-state irrigation projects under development, including [[Godavari River Basin Irrigation Projects]] and [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam]].<ref name=irrigation>{{cite web|title=Irrigation Projects|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=49395|website=Press Information Bureau|publisher=Ministry of Water Resources|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714215144/http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=49395|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Livestock and [[Poultry farming|poultry]] is also another profitable business, which involves rearing [[cattle]] in enclosed areas for commercial purposes. The state is also a largest producer of [[Egg as food|eggs]] in the country and hence, it is nicknamed as "Egg Bowl of Asia".<ref>{{cite web|title=Socio Economic Survey 2013–2014|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/Other%20Docs/Socio%20Economic%20Survey%20Book%20let.pdf|website=AP State Portal|publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=27 June 2015|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403094839/http://www.ap.gov.in/Other%20Docs/Socio%20Economic%20Survey%20Book%20let.pdf|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=egg>{{cite book|last1=Mohanty|first1=Muktikanta|title=Macmillan's General Knowledge Manual 2010|date=2010|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-32874-7|page=72 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PBx03lUGHlUC&q=egg+bowl+of+asia&pg=PA72|access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref> [[Fishery|Fisheries]] contribute 10% of total fish and over 70% of the [[Shrimp and prawn as food|shrimp]] production<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/ap-top-producer-of-shrimp-mpeda/article4311671.ece|title=AP top producer of shrimp: MPEDA|author=Special Correspondent|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228162628/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/ap-top-producer-of-shrimp-mpeda/article4311671.ece|archive-date=28 February 2013|url-status=live|date=16 January 2013}}</ref> of India. The geographical location of the state allows marine fishing as well as inland fish production. The most exported marine exports include ''[[Whiteleg shrimp|Vannamei shrimp]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Vannamei Hatcheries |url=http://www.caa.gov.in/ |publisher=Coastal Aquaculture Authority |access-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603143059/http://www.caa.gov.in/ |archive-date=3 June 2014 }}</ref> === Infrastructure === Andhra Pradesh is investing in building infrastructure in the state such as highways and making every service of the government digital. [[National Highway 16 (India)|National Highway 16]] passes through Andhra Pradesh. The [[List of state highways in Andhra Pradesh|highways in the state]] are also being widened. [[Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited|APSFL]] is an initiative of the government of Andhra Pradesh to set up an [[optical fiber]] network throughout the thirteen districts of Andhra Pradesh. This network provides internet connectivity, telephony and [[Internet Protocol television|IPTV]] with fiber to private and corporate users of Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web|title=AP Fiber Grid Vision|url=http://apsfl.in/about-us/mission-vision/|website=apsfl.in|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133154/http://apsfl.in/about-us/mission-vision/|archive-date=31 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The state also has seaports such as [[Visakhapatnam Port]], [[Kakinada Port]], [[Krishnapatnam Port]] for import and export and a [[shipyard]] for building ships at Visakhapatnam. Major airports in the state are Visakhapatnam, [[Rajahmundry]], Vijayawada, with [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]], [[Tirupati Airport|Tirupati]] and [[Vijayawada Airport|Vijayawada]] being international airports. [[File:Hsl view.jpg|thumb|Aerial View of [[Hindustan Shipyard Limited]] (HSL)]] === Industrial sector === [[File:Isuzu manufacturing plant India.jpg|thumb|left|Isuzu Motors India manufacturing plant aerial view]] [[File:Satyam campus in Visakhapatnam.jpg|thumbnail|[[Tech Mahindra]] Development Centre, [[Visakhapatnam]]|alt=Front of large round building, with street and trees in front]] The industrial sector of the state includes some of the key sectors like [[Pharmaceutical industry in India|pharmaceutical]], [[Automotive industry in India|automobile]], [[Textile industry in India|textiles]] etc. [[Sri City|Sricity]] located in [[Chittoor district]] is an integrated business city which is home to firms including [[PepsiCo]], [[Isuzu Motors India|Isuzu Motors]], [[Cadbury|Cadbury India]], [[Kellogg's]], [[Colgate-Palmolive]], [[Kobe Steel|Kobelco]] etc.<ref>{{cite web|title=Firms in sricity|url=http://www.sricity.in/customer.html|website=Sricity.in|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509183500/http://www.sricity.in/customer.html|archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> The PepsiCo firm has its largest plant in India at Sri City.<ref>{{cite web|author1=V Rishi Kumar|title=PepsiCo inaugurates new facility at Sri City|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/pepsico-to-commission-new-unit-at-sri-city-today/article7064372.ece|work=Business Line|access-date=14 May 2015|location=Hyderabad|date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713203445/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/pepsico-to-commission-new-unit-at-sri-city-today/article7064372.ece|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The state is also emerging as destination for the automobile industry which already hosts companies including [[Ashok Leyland]] in Krishna district, [[Hero Motors]] in Chittoor district, [[Kia Motors India|Kia Motors]] in Anantapur district. [[File:IBM-Visakhapatnam.jpg|thumb|IBM-Software-IconicCampus-Visakhapatnam]] The state is also emerging in [[Information technology in India|information technology]] and [[Biotechnology in India|biotechnology]]. The IT/ITES revenues of Visakhapatnam is at {{INRConvert|14.45|b}} in 2012–2013. The development of IT in Tier-II and Tier-III cities like Vijayawada, [[Kakinada]] and [[Tirupati]] is also improving. In the fiscal year 2012–2013, Vijayawada's IT/ITeS revenues were {{INRConvert|1153|m}}. Tirupati with {{INRConvert|693|m}} and Kakinada with {{INRConvert|615|m}} stand next.<ref name="it sector">{{cite web|title=IT/ITES revenues|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Visakhapatnam-IT/ITeS-sector-surges-20-in-2013/articleshow/22592960.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423042921/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Visakhapatnam-IT/ITeS-sector-surges-20-in-2013/articleshow/22592960.cms|archive-date=23 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> For the benefit of state, that is, after separating Telangana from Andhra, people of Andhra protested for special status during January in 2017.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} [[File:CELKON Manifacturing plant at Tirupati.jpg|thumb|CELKON Manufacturing plant at Tirupati]] === Resources === Andhra Pradesh is one of the storehouses of mineral resources in India. Andhra Pradesh with varied geological formations, contain rich and variety of industrial minerals and building stones.<ref name=minerals>{{cite web|title=Industrial & Fertilizer minerals|url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/gsiDoc/pub/peer_reviewed_base_document_com_iv.pdf|website=Geological Survey of India portal|publisher=CGPB Committee-IV|pages=17–44|access-date=9 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016124047/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/gsiDoc/pub/peer_reviewed_base_document_com_iv.pdf|archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref> Andhra Pradesh is listed at the top in the deposit and production of [[mica]] in India. Minerals found in the state include [[limestone]], reserves of [[Oil reserves|oil]] and [[natural gas]], [[manganese]], [[asbestos]], [[iron ore]], [[ball clay]], [[fire clay]], gold diamonds, [[graphite]], [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], [[quartz]], [[tungsten]], steatitic, [[feldspar]], silica sand. It has about one-third of India's [[limestone]] reserves and is known for large exclusive deposits of [[baryte]]s and [[Granite|galaxy granite]] in the international market.<ref name=minerals /> ==== Mining ==== [[Mining]] is identified as one of the growth engines for the overall development of industry and infrastructure. The [[Tummalapalle uranium mine|Tummalapalle Uranium mine]] in Andhra has confirmed {{convert|49000|t}} of ore and there are indications that it could hold reserves totaling three times its current size. {{convert|700|e6t|abbr=off}} of metal grade [[Bauxite]] deposits in proximity to Visakhapatnam Port. [[File:Mangampet Barytes.jpg|thumb|Mangampet Barytes]] [[Reliance Industries]] struck nine trillion cubic feet of gas reserves in the [[Krishna Godavari Basin|KG basin]], {{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=on}} off the Andhra Pradesh coast near [[Kakinada]]. Discovery of a large quantity of natural gas in KG Basin is expected to provide rapid economic growth.<ref name="kg basin">{{cite web|title=Krishna Godavari Basin: Oil & Gas Resource|url=http://www.kgbasin.in/|publisher=kgbasin.in|access-date=7 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619002749/http://www.kgbasin.in/|archive-date=19 June 2014}}</ref> During 2016, nearly {{convert|134|e12cuft|abbr=unit|order=flip}} of [[Methane clathrate|methane hydrate]] deposits were explored in KG basin whose extraction was adequate to impart [[energy security]] for many decades to India.<ref>{{cite web|title=ONGC hydrates discovery may be 4 times bigger than RIL's gas find|website=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ONGC-hydrates-discovery-may-be-4-times-bigger-than-RILs-gas-find/articleshow/50505577.cms|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701112628/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ONGC-hydrates-discovery-may-be-4-times-bigger-than-RILs-gas-find/articleshow/50505577.cms|archive-date=1 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ==== Power plants ==== {{Main|Power sector of Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Rayalaseema Thermal Power Station.jpg|thumb|Rayalaseema Thermal Power Station]] The state is a pioneer nationwide in [[Solar power in India|solar power generation]]. [[Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation|APGENCO]] is the power generating company owned by the state.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://apgenco.gov.in/getInfo.do|title = APGENGO overview|access-date = 19 June 2014|publisher = APGENCO|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812203324/http://www.apgenco.gov.in/getInfo.do|archive-date = 12 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The state has become power surplus with excess power generation being exported to other states.<ref>{{cite news|title=Davos Visit will Boost Andhra Pradesh's Image, Says Naidu|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Davos-Visit-will-Boost-Andhra-Pradeshs-Image-Says-Naidu/2016/01/26/article3245055.ece|access-date=21 February 2016|work=The New Indian Express|date=26 January 2016|location=Vijayawada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213081200/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Davos-Visit-will-Boost-Andhra-Pradeshs-Image-Says-Naidu/2016/01/26/article3245055.ece|archive-date=13 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The state is abundantly endowed with solar power and high head [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity|PHES]] sites to convert the solar power available during the day time in to round the clock power supply.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalmap.gov.au/renewables/#share=s-oDPMo1jDBBtwBNhD |title=Interactive map showing the feasible locations of PHES projects in Andhra Pradesh state |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603022914/https://nationalmap.gov.au/renewables/#share=s-oDPMo1jDBBtwBNhD |url-status=dead }}</ref> PHES projects also has synergy with the [[lift irrigation]] projects in storing water available during the monsoon season and supplying to the uplands throughout the year. Ultimate water and energy requirements of the state can be fully met by the combination of cheap solar power, PHES and irrigation projects economically harnessing [[Renewable energy in India|renewable energy]] without much damage to the environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/11/09/elon-musk-should-build-pumped-hydro-with-tesla-energy-the-boring-co-coal-miners/|title=Elon Musk Should Build Pumped Hydro With Tesla Energy, The Boring Co., & Coal Miners|date=9 November 2019|access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> [[File:NSRS Srisailam Dam.jpg|thumb|Srisailam Hydel power project]] [[Thermal power station|Thermal]] ([[Gas-fired power plant|natural gas]] and [[Coal-fired power station|coal]] based) and [[Renewable energy|renewable power]] plants totaling to 21,000&nbsp;MW were installed in the state by 2015. Local power plants of 9,600&nbsp;[[Watt|MW]] capacity only are supplying electricity in the state, which includes [[Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station]] (2000&nbsp;MW) of [[NTPC Limited|NTPC]], [[Vizag Thermal Power Station]] (1040&nbsp;MW), [[Rayalaseema Thermal Power Station]] (1650&nbsp;MW), [[Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station]] (1600&nbsp;MW), and [[Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station|Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Plant]] (1760&nbsp;MW). Hydel power plants have a capacity of 1671&nbsp;MW.<ref>{{cite web|title=Salient features of A.P.TransCo / A.P.GenCo / DisComs|url=http://www.aptransco.gov.in/transco/docs/Sal-Fea-Jan-16.pdf|access-date=17 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504212830/http://www.aptransco.gov.in/transco/docs/Sal-Fea-Jan-16.pdf|archive-date=4 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> == Culture == {{Main|Culture of Andhra Pradesh}} Andhra Pradesh has rich culture and heritage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Varma|first1=P. Sujatha|title=Andhra Pradesh has a very rich culture, heritage|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/andhra-pradesh-has-a-very-rich-culture-heritage/article7737404.ece|access-date=5 June 2017|work=The Hindu}}</ref> [[Kuchipudi]], the cultural dance recognized as the official dance form of the state of Andhra Pradesh, originated in the village of [[Kuchipudi, Krishna district|Kuchipudi]] in [[Krishna district]]. It entered the [[Guinness World Records]] for performing ''Mahabrinda Natyam'' with a total of 6,117 dancers in Vijayawada.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rao|first1=G.V.R. Subba|title=6,117 Kuchipudi dancers put A.P. in Guinness book|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/6117-Kuchipudi-dancers-put-A.P.-in-Guinness-book/article16943005.ece|access-date=18 April 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226153418/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/6117-Kuchipudi-dancers-put-A.P.-in-Guinness-book/article16943005.ece|archive-date=26 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Andhra Pradesh has thirteen [[geographical indication]]s in categories of agricultural [[handicraft]]s, [[foodstuff]] and textiles as per ''Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999''.<ref name="GIlist">{{cite web|title=State Wise Registration Details of G.I Applications (15th September, 2003 – Till Date)|url=http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/News/283_1_REGISTRATION_DETAILS_OF_GI_TILL_DATE_March_2012_Till_Date.pdf|website=Geographical Indication Registry|access-date=5 May 2017|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918175622/http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/News/283_1_REGISTRATION_DETAILS_OF_GI_TILL_DATE_March_2012_Till_Date.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It increased to fifteen with the addition of [[Benishan (mango)|Banaganapalle Mangoes]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Banaganapalle mangoes finally get GI tag|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/040517/banaganapalle-mangoes-finally-get-gi-tag.html|access-date=13 May 2017|work=deccanchronicle.com/|date=4 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505001210/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/040517/banaganapalle-mangoes-finally-get-gi-tag.html|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Bandar laddu]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Naidu|first1=T. Appala|title=Bandar laddu gets GI tag|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/bandar-laddu-gets-gi-tag/article17722857.ece|access-date=13 May 2017|work=The Hindu}}</ref> The other GI tagged goods are, [[Bobbili Veena]], [[Budithi Bell and Brass Craft]], [[Dharmavaram handloom pattu sarees and paavadas|Dharmavaram Handloom Pattu Sarees and Paavadas]], [[Guntur Sannam]], [[Kondapalli Toys]], [[Pedana Kalamkari|Machilipatnam Kalamkari]], [[Mangalagiri Sarees and Fabrics]], [[Srikalahasti Kalamkari]], [[Tirupati Laddu]], [[Uppada Jamdani Sari]] and [[Venkatagiri Sari]].<ref name="GIlist" /> === Arts, crafts and artifacts === [[File:Kondapalli toys at a house in Vijayawada.jpg|thumb|[[Kondapalli Toys]] at a house in Vijayawada]] Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti Kalamkari are the two unique textile art forms practised in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kalamkari: Craft of the matter|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/kalamkari-craft-of-the-matter/16478155|website=mid-day|access-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131082254/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/kalamkari-craft-of-the-matter/16478155|archive-date=31 January 2016|url-status=live|date=24 August 2015}}</ref> There are also other notable handicrafts present in the state, like the soft [[limestone]] [[Cult image|idol]] carvings of [[Durgi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guntur.nic.in/durgi_stonecraft.html|title=Durgi Stone Craft|publisher=Cesdeva|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204034111/http://guntur.nic.in/durgi_stonecraft.html|archive-date=4 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Etikoppaka]] in [[Visakhapatnam district]] is notable for its [[lac]] industry, producing lacquered wooden.<ref>{{cite web|title=Etikoppaka Vizag|url=http://www.aptdc.gov.in/special-tours/etikoppaka_vizag.html|website=Andhra Pradesh Tourism|access-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128070257/http://www.aptdc.gov.in/special-tours/etikoppaka_vizag.html|archive-date=28 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sarma|first1=Rani|title=The lac industry of Etikoppaka – An art form to cherish|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/The-lac-industry-of-Etikoppaka-An-art-form-to-cherish/articleshow/50251973.cms|access-date=11 March 2016|work=The Times of India|date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225170910/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/The-lac-industry-of-Etikoppaka-An-art-form-to-cherish/articleshow/50251973.cms|archive-date=25 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The state has many museums, which features a varied collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, idols, weapons, cutlery, and inscriptions, and religious artifacts such as the [[Archaeological Museum, Amaravati|Amaravati Archaeological Museum]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_amravati.asp|title=Archaeological Museum, Amaravati – Archaeological Survey of India|publisher=Asi.nic.in|access-date=19 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929190235/http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_amravati.asp|archive-date=29 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Visakha Museum]] and [[Culture of Andhra Pradesh|Telugu Cultural Museum]] in Visakhapatnam displays the history of the pre-independence and the [[Bapu Museum, Vijayawada|Victoria Jubilee Museum]] in Vijayawada with a large collection of artifacts. === Literature === {{Main|Telugu literature}} [[Nannayya]], [[Tikkana]] and [[Yerrapragada]] form the trinity who translated the [[Sanskrit]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' into [[Telugu language]]. Nannayya wrote the first treatise on Telugu grammar called ''Andhra Shabda Chintamani'' in Sanskrit, as there was no grammatical work in Telugu prior to that.<ref name="Padmapriya ch1">{{cite book |title= A Comparative Study of Andhrasabdachintamani And Balavyakaranam |last= Gopavaram |first= Padmapriya |author2=Subrahmanyam, Korada |year= 2011 |publisher= University of Hyderabad |location=Hyderabad|chapter=1}}</ref> [[Pothana]] is the poet who composed the classic ''Srimad Maha Bhagavatamu'', a Telugu translation of ''[[Bhagavata Purana|Sri Bhagavatam]]''. [[Vemana]] is notable for his philosophical poems. The [[Vijayanagara]] emperor [[Krishnadevaraya]] wrote [[Amuktamalyada]]. Telugu literature after [[Kandukuri Veeresalingam]] is termed as Adhunika Telugu Sahityam (Modern Telugu literature). He is known as ''Gadya Tikkana'' and was the author of Telugu [[social novel]], ''Satyavati Charitam''. [[Jnanpith Award]] holders from the state include [[Viswanatha Satyanarayana]]. The Andhra Pradesh native and revolutionary poet [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]] brought new forms of expressionism into Telugu literature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiaforyou.in/states/andhrapradesh/apculture.php |title=Telugu Literature |access-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408221719/http://indiaforyou.in/states/andhrapradesh/apculture.php |archive-date=8 April 2014 }}</ref> ==== Media ==== The print media in the state consists mainly of Telugu and English newspapers. ''[[Eenadu]]'', ''[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]]'', ''[[Andhra Jyothi]]'', and Tel.J.D.Patrika [[Vaartha]] all these are Telugu newspapers. English newspapers include [[Deccan Chronicle]] and [[The Hans India]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davp.nic.in/Upload/(S(pyatp4ydvoojmwmj340xys55))/davp_empanel_status.aspx |title=Bureau of Outreach and Communication |date= |website=}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2022}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rni.nic.in/registerdtitle_search/registeredtitle_ser.aspx|title=Office of Registrar of Newspapers for India|website=rni.nic.in|access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref> === Art and cinema === {{Main|Music of Andhra Pradesh|Telugu theatre|Carnatic music}} {{See also|Tholu bommalata}} [[File:Prathiksha Kashi.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kuchipudi]] dance]] Many composers of [[Carnatic music]] like [[Annamacharya]], [[Kshetrayya]], and [[Bhadrachala Ramadasu|Bhadrachala Ramadas]] were of Telugu descent. Modern Carnatic music composers and singers like [[Ghantasala (singer)|Ghantasala]] and [[M. Balamuralikrishna]] are also of Telugu descent. The Telugu film industry hosts many music composers and playback singers such as [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[P. Susheela]], [[S. Janaki]] and [[P. B. Sreenivas]]. Folk songs are very important and popular in the many rural areas of the state. Forms such as the ''[[Burra katha]]'' and ''Poli'' are still performed today.<ref>{{cite book|title=Musical Heritage of India|author=Manorma Sharma|pages=19–32|year=2007|publisher=APH|isbn=978-81-313-0046-6}}</ref> ''Harikathaa Kalakshepam (or [[Harikatha]])'' involves the narration of a story, intermingled with various songs relating to the story. Harikatha was originated in Andhra.<ref>{{cite book|author=Thoomati Donappa|title=Telugu Harikatha Sarvasvam|oclc=13505520}}</ref> ''Burra katha'' is an [[oral storytelling]] technique with the topic be either a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] mythological story or a contemporary social issue.<ref>{{cite web | title = Burrakatha loses sheen sans patronage | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Burrakatha-loses-sheen-sans-patronage/articleshow/18012802.cms?referral=PM | date = 14 January 2013 | access-date = 2 September 2013 | work = [[The Times of India]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123554/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Burrakatha-loses-sheen-sans-patronage/articleshow/18012802.cms?referral=PM | archive-date = 2 April 2015 | url-status=live}}</ref> ''Rangasthalam'' is an [[Theatre of India|Indian theatre]] in the [[Telugu language]], based predominantly in Andhra Pradesh.<ref name="auto5">{{cite news|url=http://indiascanner.com/tag/nandi-natakotsavam-awards|title=Nandi Natakotsavam Awards|publisher=India Scanner|date=8 October 2010|access-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317152806/http://indiascanner.com/tag/nandi-natakotsavam-awards|archive-date=17 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Gurajada Apparao]] wrote the play ''[[Kanyasulkam]]'' in 1892, often considered the greatest play in the Telugu language.<ref name="auto3">20th Century Telugu Luminaries, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005</ref> [[C. Pullaiah]] is cited as the father of Telugu theatre movement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/article871376.ece|title=SATI SAVITHRI (1933)|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 November 2010|last=Narasimham|first=M. L.|access-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113225918/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/article871376.ece|archive-date=13 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SoManyCinemas">{{cite book|title=So many cinemas: the motion picture in India|author=Bhagwan Das Garg|publisher=Eminence Designs|year=1996|isbn=978-81-900602-1-9|page=86|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wXRZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22East+India+Film+Company%22+-inpublisher:icon|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521221827/https://books.google.com/books?id=wXRZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22East+India+Film+Company%22+-inpublisher:icon&dq=%22East+India+Film+Company%22+-inpublisher:icon&cd=4|archive-date=21 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The Telugu film industry is largely based in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. The Telugu film culture (also known as "[[Telugu cinema|Tollywood]]") is the second-largest film industry in India next to the [[Bollywood]] film industry.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://preethika.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/indian-film-industry/ |title= The Telugu film industry |publisher= Preethi's Web |access-date= 6 June 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000638/http://preethika.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/indian-film-industry/ |archive-date= 15 July 2014 |url-status=live|date= 28 January 2008 }}</ref> Film producer [[D. Ramanaidu]] holds a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness Record]] for the most films produced by a person.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Sathyalaya |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/09/11/prestigious-phalke-award-conferred-veteran-film-producer-d-rama-naidu |title=Prestigious 'Phalke" award conferred to Veteran Film producer D Rama Naidu |work=Asian Tribune |date=11 September 2010 |access-date=8 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523215222/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/09/11/prestigious-phalke-award-conferred-veteran-film-producer-d-rama-naidu |archive-date=23 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the years 2005, 2006 and 2008, the Telugu film industry produced the largest number of films in India, exceeding the number of films produced in Bollywood.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/-Tollywood-loses-to-Bollywood-on-numbers-/articleshow/6661950.cms?referral=PM |title=Tollywood loses to Bollywood on numbers |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2010 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713203509/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/-Tollywood-loses-to-Bollywood-on-numbers-/articleshow/6661950.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=13 July 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/telugu-film-industry-enters-new-era/article1674075.ece |title=Telugu film industry enters new era |work=Business Line |date=6 November 2007 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203163423/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/telugu-film-industry-enters-new-era/article1674075.ece |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The industry holds the Guinness World Record for the largest film production facility in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1/largest-film-studio |title=Largest film studio |publisher=Guinnessworldrecords.com |access-date=31 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119000128/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1/largest-film-studio |archive-date=19 January 2014 }}</ref> === Cuisine === [[File:Vegetarian Andhra Meal.jpg|thumb|Vegetarian Andhra meal, served on important occasions]] {{Main|Telugu cuisine}} Telugu people's traditional sweet [[Pootharekulu]] originated from [[Atreyapuram]] village of East Godavari district. === Tourism === {{Main|Tourism in Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Ananta Padmanabha Swami Temple.jpg|thumb|[[Undavalli Caves]], is a [[Monolithic architecture|monolithic]] example of [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] and one of the finest testimonials to ancient ''viswakarma sthapathis''.|alt=]] [[File:Grand Canon of India (Gandikota).jpg|thumb|Gandikota Canyon]] The state has several beaches in its coastal districts such as [[Rushikonda]], [[Mypadu]], [[Suryalanka Beach|Suryalanka]] etc.;<ref>{{cite news|title=Andhra Pradesh to develop beach front locations|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Andhra-Pradesh-to-develop-beach-front-locations/articleshow/52452263.cms|access-date=13 May 2017|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213202119/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Andhra-Pradesh-to-develop-beach-front-locations/articleshow/52452263.cms|archive-date=13 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> caves such as, [[Borra Caves]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bhattacharjee|first1=Sumit|title=Natural world heritage status for Borra Caves sought|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Natural-world-heritage-status-for-Borra-Caves-sought/article17041900.ece|access-date=13 May 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116062146/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Natural-world-heritage-status-for-Borra-Caves-sought/article17041900.ece|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] depicting [[Undavalli Caves]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guntur.nic.in/undavalli_caves.html|title=- WELCOME TO GUNTUR DISTRICT OFFICIAL WEBSITE -|access-date=31 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627173402/http://guntur.nic.in/undavalli_caves.html|archive-date=27 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the country's second longest caves- the [[Belum Caves]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Film tourism to boost Kurnool economy|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/030217/film-tourism-to-boost-kurnool-economy.html|access-date=13 May 2017|work=deccanchronicle.com/|date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313031427/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/030217/film-tourism-to-boost-kurnool-economy.html|archive-date=13 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The valleys and hills include, [[Araku Valley]], [[Horsley Hills]], [[Papikonda National Park|Papi Hills]] etc.<ref name=aptdc>{{cite web|title=Tourist destinations in AP|url=http://www.tourisminap.com/know_ap/index.php|publisher=Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department|access-date=5 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806000215/http://www.tourisminap.com/know_ap/index.php|archive-date=6 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Arma Konda]] peak located in Visakhapatnam district is the highest peak in [[Eastern Ghats]]. {{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |image1=Early morning in Godavari 02.jpg |caption1=The river at [[Papi Hills]] near [[Rajamahendravaram]] in Andhra Pradesh. |width1=220 |image2= |caption2=The river near Yanam. |width2=220 }} The state is home to various religious pilgrim destinations such as, [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Tirumala Temple]], [[Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam|Simhachalam Temple]], [[Annavaram Satyanarayana Temple|Annavaram temple]], [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam|Srisailam temple]], [[Kanaka Durga Temple]], [[Amararama|Amaravati]], [[Srikalahasti]], [[Shahi Jamia Mosque|Shahi Jamia Masjid]] in [[Adoni]], [[St. Mary's Church, Vijayawada|Gunadala Church]] in [[Vijayawada]], Buddhist centres at [[Amaravathi, Guntur district|Amaravati]], and [[Nagarjunakonda|Nagarjuna Konda]]. Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple [[Kadiri|KADIRI]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.templenet.com/encandh1.html|title=The Templenet Encyclopedia&nbsp;– Temples of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=26 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509081809/http://www.templenet.com/encandh1.html|archive-date=9 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> == Transport == {{Main|Transport in Andhra Pradesh}} The state is well connected to other states through road and rail networks. It is also connected to other countries by means of airways and seaports as well. With a long seacoast along the [[Bay of Bengal]], it also has many ports for sea trade. The state has one of the [[List of railway junction stations in India|largest railway junctions]] at Vijayawada and one of the [[List of ports in India|largest seaports]] at Visakhapatnam. === Roads === [[File:Rps20160709 141628.jpg|thumb|[[Vijayawada]]-[[Guntur]] Expressway section of NH 16]] The state has a total road network of {{Convert|53403|km|mi|abbr=on}}, of which {{Convert|6401|km|mi|abbr=on}} of [[National highways of India|National highways]], {{Convert|14722|km|mi|abbr=on}} of [[State highways in India|state highways]] and {{convert|32280|km|mi|abbr=on}} of district roads.<ref>{{cite news |title=4000-km Andhra Pradesh highways to be maintained by private companies |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/may/06/4000-km-andhra-pradesh-highways-to-be-maintained-by-private-companies-1810888.html |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=6 May 2018 |location=Vijayawada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426141054/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/may/06/4000-km-andhra-pradesh-highways-to-be-maintained-by-private-companies-1810888.html |archive-date=26 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[National Highway 16 (India)|NH 16]], with a highway network of around {{convert|1000|km|mi|abbr=on}} in the state, is a part of [[Golden Quadrilateral|Golden Quadrilateral Project]] undertaken by [[National Highways Development Project]]. It also forms part of [[AH45|AH 45]] which comes under the [[Asian Highway Network]]. [[File:NH 140 near Tirupati.jpg|thumb|NH 140 near Tirupati]] The state government owned [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (APSRTC) is the major public bus transport, which runs thousands of buses connecting different parts of the state. [[Pandit Nehru bus station|Pandit Nehru Bus Station]] (PNBS) in Vijayawada is one of the largest bus terminals in Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apsrtc.gov.in/Contact%20Us/Grievances/Citi-Chart.htm |title=citi-Charter |publisher=Apsrtc.gov.in |access-date=19 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917143549/http://apsrtc.gov.in/Contact%20Us/Grievances/Citi-Chart.htm |archive-date=17 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 30 January 2019, all the vehicles in the state are registered as [[List of Regional Transport Office districts in India|AP–39]], followed by an alphabet and four digits.<ref>{{cite news |title=New 'AP 39' code to register vehicles in Andhra Pradesh launched |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2019/jan/31/new-ap-39-code-to-register-vehicles-in-state-launched-1932417.html |access-date=9 June 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=31 January 2019 |location=Vijayawada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728113337/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2019/jan/31/new-ap-39-code-to-register-vehicles-in-state-launched-1932417.html |archive-date=28 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> === Railways === {{See also|South Coast Railway zone}} [[File:VijayawadaRailwayStation.jpg|thumb|[[Vijayawada railway station]]]]Andhra Pradesh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/politics/ap-budget-2018-19-highlights-1050949|title=AP Budget 2018–19 Highlights – Sakshi|access-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308092618/https://www.sakshi.com/news/politics/ap-budget-2018-19-highlights-1050949|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> has a total [[broad-gauge railway]] route of {{cvt|3703.25|km}} and has no [[metre-gauge railway]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=155019|title=Statewise Length of Railway Lines and Survey For New Railway Lines|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105011404/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=155019|archive-date=5 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The rail density of the state is 16.59 per {{Convert|1000|km|abbr=on}}, compared to an all India average of 20.<ref name="apedb">{{cite web|url=http://apedb.gov.in/infrastrctr.html|title=Infrastructure – Connectivity – Rail|website=apedb.gov.in|publisher=Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629144351/http://apedb.gov.in/infrastrctr.html|archive-date=29 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Howrah–Chennai main line]] which runs through the state is proposed to be upgraded into a [[High-speed rail in India|high-speed rail corridor]] through the [[Diamond Quadrilateral]] project of the Indian Railways.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/need-for-speed-rly-board-looks-at-2-more-bullet-train-corridors/articleshow/59746546.cms|title=Bullet Train Corridors|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=n.d.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916145129/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/need-for-speed-rly-board-looks-at-2-more-bullet-train-corridors/articleshow/59746546.cms|archive-date=16 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148794|title=Diamond Quadrilateral|date=n.d.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612224549/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148794|archive-date=12 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The railway network spans two [[Zones and divisions of Indian Railways|zones]], further subdivided into divisions – [[Vijayawada railway division|Vijayawada]], [[Guntur railway division|Guntur]] and [[Guntakal railway division|Guntakal]] railway divisions of [[South Central Railway zone]], and [[Waltair railway division]] of [[East Coast Railway zone]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ECoR – WALTAIR DIVISION|url=http://eastcoastrailwaywaltairdivision.blogspot.in/|website=eastcoastrailwaywaltairdivision.blogspot.in|access-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420105937/http://eastcoastrailwaywaltairdivision.blogspot.in/|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="scr">{{cite web|url=http://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206015535/http://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 February 2011|title=State-wise Route Kilometerage|website=South Central Railway|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref> There is a demand for creating a unified zone for the state based out of Visakhapatnam.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} There are three A1 and twenty-three A-category railway stations in the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement showing category-wise No.of stations|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI&ACategoryStns.pdf|website=South Central Railway|access-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128044328/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI%26ACategoryStns.pdf|archive-date=28 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Stnlnk|Visakhapatnam|}} has been declared the cleanest railway station in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/vizag-billed-the-cleanest-rail-station/article18478254.ece|title=Vizag billed the cleanest rail station|date=18 May 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=4 January 2018|others=Special Correspondent|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104133007/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/vizag-billed-the-cleanest-rail-station/article18478254.ece|archive-date=4 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The railway station of [[Shimiliguda]] was the first highest broad gauge railway station in the country.<ref>{{cite news|last1=BHATTACHARJEE|first1=SUMIT|title=Hidden 100 – 58 tunnels. 84 bridges. Welcome to Araku Valley|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/hidden-100-58-tunnels-84-bridges-welcome-to-araku-valley/article2594651.ece|access-date=23 April 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609115011/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/hidden-100-58-tunnels-84-bridges-welcome-to-araku-valley/article2594651.ece|archive-date=9 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As on date the Railways lines in Andhra Pradesh are under the following Railway zones/Divisions * South Central Railway-[[Secunderabad railway division|Secunderabad Division]] * South Central Railway-[[Hyderabad railway division|Hyderabad Division]] * South Central Railway-[[Vijayawada railway division|Vijayawada Division]] * South Central Railway-[[Guntakal railway division|Guntakal Division]] * South Central Railway-[[Guntur railway division|Guntur Division]] * East Coast Railway- [[Waltair railway division|Waltair Division]] * East Coast Railway- [[Khurda Road railway division|Khurda Road Division]] A new railway zone '''South Coast Railway Zone''' (SCoR) has been announced as the newest [[Zones and divisions of Indian Railways|railway zone of the Indian Railways]] and is headquartered at [[Visakhapatnam]], Andhra Pradesh. The formal notification for operationalization of this Zone is yet to be issued. When created it will include [[Waltair railway division|Waltair Division]] of East Coast Railway zone and [[Vijayawada railway division|Vijayawada Division]], [[Guntakal railway division|Guntakal Division]] & [[Guntur railway division|Guntur Division]] of South Central Railway zone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=189105|title=Cabinet approves South Coast Railway zone|website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> === Airports === {{See also|List of airports in Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Map of Airports and airstrips of Andhra Pradesh.png|thumb|Map of airports and airstrips of Andhra Pradesh|alt=|left]] [[File:Seaports Map of Andhra Pradesh.png|thumb|Map of seaports in Andhra Pradesh]] [[Visakhapatnam Airport]] is the only airport in the state with operating international flights while [[Vijayawada Airport]] at Gannavaram has launched an international flight to Singapore, recently.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vijayawada airport to go International|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/vijayawada-airport-goes-international-after-centres-nod/articleshow/62132535.cms|access-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111113316/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/vijayawada-airport-goes-international-after-centres-nod/articleshow/62132535.cms|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The state has four other [[domestic airport]]s, [[Rajahmundry Airport]], [[Kadapa Airport]], [[Kurnool Airport]] a privately owned, public use airport at [[Sri Sathya Sai Airport|Puttaparthi]], and [[Tirupati Airport]] located in the city of [[Tirupati]]. There are also 16 small airstrips located in the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airports|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/Economic%20Survey/economic6.pdf|publisher=AP State Portal|access-date=23 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172904/http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/Economic%20Survey/economic6.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> === Sea ports === {{See also|Ports and harbours of Andhra Pradesh}} Andhra Pradesh has one of the country's largest port at [[Visakhapatnam Port|Visakhapatnam]] in terms of cargo handling.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vizag port info|url=http://www.vizagport.com/AboutUs/History.aspx|publisher=vizagport|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111025637/http://www.vizagport.com/AboutUs/History.aspx|archive-date=11 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The other famous ports are [[Krishnapatnam Port]] ([[Nellore district|Nellore]]), [[Gangavaram Port]] and [[Kakinada Port]]. [[Gangavaram Port]] is a deep seaport which can accommodate ocean liners up to 200,000–250,000 [[Deadweight tonnage|DWT]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Capacity of port|url=http://www.gangavaram.com/about-port.htm|publisher=gangavaram port|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221121500/http://gangavaram.com/about-port.htm|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are 14 notified non-major ports at [[Bheemunipatnam]], S.Yanam, Machilipatnam, [[Nizampatnam]], and Vadarevu.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andhraports.com/index.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh: Opening up ports |publisher=Andhra Pradesh Department of Ports |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929021120/http://www.andhraports.com/index.htm |archive-date=29 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/andhra-pradesh-hyperloop/ |title=Andhra Pradesh to Become First Indian State to Get Hyperloop |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221610/https://inc42.com/buzz/andhra-pradesh-hyperloop/ |archive-date=10 September 2017 |url-status=live |date=7 September 2017 }}</ref> [[File:Vizag seaport.jpg|thumb|right|[[Visakhapatnam]] seaport]] [[File:Ship Darshani Prem at Vizag seaport Andhra Pradesh.jpg|thumb|A ship at the Visakhapatnam port]] == Education and research == {{Main|Education in Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Universities Map of Andhra Pradesh.png|thumb|Map of universities in Andhra Pradesh]] [[File:Guntur-Agri-University.jpg|thumb|right|Agriculture University, [[Guntur]]]] Andhra Pradesh has an overall [[Literacy|literacy rate]] of 67.41% as per the 2011 Indian census.<ref name="demographics" /> The primary and secondary school education is imparted by [[State school|government]], aided and private schools, managed and regulated by the School Education Department of the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=School Education Department |url=http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |website=Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan |publisher=School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319051231/http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2016 |location=Hyderabad |date=26 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations-2/school-education/|website=ap.gov.in|access-date=7 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413205259/http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations-2/school-education/|archive-date=13 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are urban, rural and [[Gurukula Patasala|residential schools]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nagaraju|first1=M.T.V|title=Study Habits of Secondary School Students|date=2004|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-893-0|page=75|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pe8RUvwHxbcC&q=Zilla+Parishad+High+Schools+are+run+by&pg=PA75|access-date=14 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of Working Groups|url=http://childinfo.ap.nic.in/SSA_FeedbackForms/WorkingGroups/group4.pdf|website=Commissioner and Director of School Education|access-date=7 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021151650/http://childinfo.ap.nic.in/SSA_FeedbackForms/WorkingGroups/group4.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> As per the child info and school information report (2018–19), there were a total of {{formatnum:7041568}} students,<ref>{{cite web |title=Student Information Day Wise Status Report |url=https://studentinfo.ap.gov.in/DSE_CI/check.do |website=Commissionerate of School Education |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606073532/https://studentinfo.ap.gov.in/DSE_CI/check.do |archive-date=6 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> enrolled in {{formatnum:62063}} schools respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=School Information |url=https://schooledu.ap.gov.in/DSE/totalSchoolReport.xls |website=Commissionerate of School Education |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606073539/https://schooledu.ap.gov.in/DSE/totalSchoolReport.xls |archive-date=6 June 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Directorate of Government Examinations]] of the state administers and conduct the [[Secondary School Certificate]] (SSC) examination.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Sanjay |title=AP 10th Results 2019: Andhra Pradesh Board SSC results declared @ bseap.org, girls outshine boys |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/ap-10th-results-2019-andhra-pradesh-board-to-release-ssc-results-live-updates-bseap-org/articleshow/69315531.cms |access-date=6 June 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515231326/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/ap-10th-results-2019-andhra-pradesh-board-to-release-ssc-results-live-updates-bseap-org/articleshow/69315531.cms |archive-date=15 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> More than {{Nowrap|600,000}} students have appeared for the 2019 SSC exam and recorded an overall pass percentage of 94.88% with a 100% pass percentage in 5,464 schools.<ref name="ssc2019">{{cite news |last1=Team |first1=BS Web |title=AP SSC Result 2019 declared on manabadi.com, bseap.org; 94.88% pass |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/education/ap-ssc-result-2019-declared-on-manabadi-com-bseap-org-check-ap-10th-results-pass-percentage-toppers-list-highlights-119051400109_1.html |access-date=6 June 2019 |work=Business Standard India |date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606094706/https://www.business-standard.com/article/education/ap-ssc-result-2019-declared-on-manabadi-com-bseap-org-check-ap-10th-results-pass-percentage-toppers-list-highlights-119051400109_1.html |archive-date=6 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The mediums of instruction are primarily [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and English with a very few opting for [[Urdu]], [[Hindi]], [[Kannada]], [[Odia language|Odia]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref name="ssc2015">{{cite web|title=Statistics of SSC 2015 Results|url=http://bse.ap.gov.in/ssc_2015_results.aspx|website=Board of Secondary Education Andhra Pradesh|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107165451/http://bse.ap.gov.in/ssc_2015_results.aspx|archive-date=7 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:ICI Tirupati.jpg|thumb|ICI Tirupati]] [[File:SVU Admin Building.jpg|thumb|SVU Admin Building]] [[File:S V Agricultural College.jpg|thumb|S V Agricultural College Tirupati]] Higher education in the state is administered by the Department of Higher Education.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Department of Higher Education – Andhra Pradesh Portal|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations-2/higher-education/|website=ap.gov.in|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418011610/http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations-2/higher-education/|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The central universities are [[All India Institutes of Medical Sciences|All India Institute of Medical Sciences]], [[Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam|IIM Visakhapatnam]], [[IIT Tirupati]], [[National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh|NIT Tadepalligudem]], [[Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool|IIITDM Kurnool]],<ref name="central_universities">{{cite news|last1=Tutika|first1=Kiranmai|title=VIT at Amaravati|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-10-19/VIT-at-Amaravati/259690|access-date=13 May 2017|work=The Hans India|date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116122747/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-10-19/VIT-at-Amaravati/259690|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sarma|first1=Ch. R. S|title=National status for Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy hailed|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/national-status-for-indian-institute-of-petroleum-and-energy-hailed/article9637601.ece|access-date=13 May 2017|work=Business Line|date=13 April 2017}}</ref> [[National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh|NIDV]], Central University of Andhra Pradesh, [[Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sri City|IIIT Sri City]], [[Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati|IISER Tirupati]], Agriculture University, Guntur and [[Indian Institute of Foreign Trade|IIFT]] Kakinada. The [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] established [[Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies]] (RGUKT) in 2008 to cater to the education needs of the rural youth of Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rgukt.in/home-aboutrgukt.html |title=Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies |publisher=Rgukt.in |access-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007142943/http://www.rgukt.in/home-aboutrgukt.html |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref> As per the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]], [[Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning]], [[Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management|GITAM]], [[KL University]] and [[Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research|Vignan University]], MBU University are the [[Deemed university|Deemed Universities]] in the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deemed University|url=http://www.ugc.ac.in/subpage/ugc-expert-committee-reports-du.aspx#andhra|website=University Grants Commission|access-date=13 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509021553/http://www.ugc.ac.in/subpage/ugc-expert-committee-reports-du.aspx#andhra|archive-date=9 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are 18 state universities in the districts providing higher education in [[horticulture]], law, medical, technology, [[Vedas|Vedic]] and [[Veterinary education|veterinary]].<ref>{{cite web|title=State University|url=http://www.ugc.ac.in/stateuniversitylist.aspx?id=1&Unitype=2|website=University Grants Commissiom|access-date=13 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512023117/http://www.ugc.ac.in/stateuniversitylist.aspx?id=1&Unitype=2|archive-date=12 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Andhra University]] is the oldest of the universities in the state, established in 1926.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Correspondent|first1=Special|title=Old-timers recollect glorious days of AU|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/au-old-timers-recollect-glorious-days/article18237557.ece|access-date=2 May 2017|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Statistical Profile of Universities in Andhra Pradesh|url=http://www.apsche.org/apsche/PDF/STATISTICAL%20PROFILE%20OF%20THE%20UNIVERSITIES.pdf|website=Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education|access-date=13 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052107/http://www.apsche.org/apsche/PDF/STATISTICAL%20PROFILE%20OF%20THE%20UNIVERSITIES.pdf|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> === Research === [[File:SPA Vijayawada Campus.jpg|thumb|SPA Vijayawada]] Research institutes have been set up by the central state{{Which one|date=January 2021}} government. [[Naval Science and Technological Laboratory]] (NSTL), [[National Institute of Oceanography, India|National Institute of Oceanography]], Visakhapatnam (NIO), [[School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada|School of Planning and Architecture]] at Vijayawada is an autonomous research institute under [[Ministry of Education (India)|Ministry of Human Resource Development]] of [[Government of India]], [[National Atmospheric Research Laboratory]] carry out fundamental and applied research in atmospheric and space sciences,<ref>{{cite web|title=NARL|url=http://www.narl.gov.in/Default.aspx|publisher=National Atmospheric Research Laboratory|access-date=5 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204739/http://www.narl.gov.in/Default.aspx|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati]],<ref>{{cite web|title = IISER Tirupati|url = http://www.iisertirupati.ac.in/|website = IISER Tirupati|access-date = 2 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160214104555/http://www.iisertirupati.ac.in/|archive-date = 14 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research, Visakhapatnam Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry under control of ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) conducts fundamental and applied research on tobacco for the benefit of the farming community,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctri.org.in/|title=CTRI Rajahmundry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428094304/http://www.ctri.org.in/|archive-date=28 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) at [[Pedavegi]] near [[Eluru]] in [[West Godavari district]] serves as a centre for conducting and co-ordinating research on all aspects of [[Elaeis|oil palm]] conservation, improvement, production, protection, post-harvest technology and transfer of technology,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dopr.gov.in/index.htm|title=IIOPR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428023710/http://dopr.gov.in/index.htm|archive-date=28 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> CCRH Regional Research Institute at [[Gudivada]], Clinical Research Institute at [[Tirupati]] and National Institute of Oceanography<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nio.org/|title=National Institute of Oceanography(NIO) – HOME|access-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813140517/http://www.nio.org/|archive-date=13 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> at Visakhapatnam are some of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ccrhindia.org/index.asp|title=ccrh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504155928/http://ccrhindia.org/index.asp|archive-date=4 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Agriculture Research Institute (Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University) [[Kadiri|KADIRI]]. ==== Space research organisation ==== [[File:Chandrayaan 2 Module on GSLV MK III at Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.jpg|alt=Satish Dhawan Space Centre [SDSC], Sriharikota, Tirupati|thumb|Satish Dhawan Space Centre [SDSC], Sriharikota, Tirupati]] [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]], also known as Sriharikota Range (SHAR), at barrier island of [[Sriharikota]] in [[Tirupati district]] is a satellite launching station operated by [[Indian Space Research Organisation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isro.org/isrocentres/sdsc.aspx |title=SHAR |access-date=15 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927042545/http://www.isro.org/isrocentres/sdsc.aspx |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> It is India's primary orbital launch site. India's lunar orbiter [[Chandrayaan-1]] was launched from the centre at 6:22 [[Ante meridiem|AM]] [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] on 22 October 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isro.org/index.aspx |title=Chandrayaan 1 |access-date=15 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208042931/http://isro.org/index.aspx |archive-date=8 February 2014 }}</ref> == Sports == {{Main|Sports in Andhra Pradesh}} [[File:Vizagacavdca.jpg|thumb|[[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium]] in [[Visakhapatnam]]]] The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh is the governing body which looks after the infrastructure development in [[cricket]], [[field hockey]], association football, [[roller skating|skating]], [[Olympic weightlifting]], [[chess]], [[List of water sports|water sports]], [[tennis]], [[badminton]], [[table tennis]], [[cycle sport|cycling]], etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saap.in/aboutsaap.htm |title=Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh |publisher=SAAP |access-date=5 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404230915/http://www.saap.in/aboutsaap.htm |archive-date=4 April 2014 }}</ref> Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the state. The [[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium|ACA-VDCA Stadium]] in [[Visakhapatnam]] is the home to [[Andhra cricket team|Andhra Pradesh cricket team]]. The venue regularly hosts international as well as domestic matches. Notable cricketers from Andhra Pradesh include former Indian captain [[Mohammad Azharuddin]], [[Maharajkumar of Vizianagram]], [[M. V. Narasimha Rao]], [[M. S. K. Prasad]], [[VVS Laxman]], [[Tirumalasetti Suman]], [[Arshad Ayub]], [[Ambati Rayudu]], [[Venkatapathy Raju]], [[Sravanthi Naidu]], [[Venugopal Rao (cricketer)|Yalaka Venugopal Rao]], [[Hanuma Vihari]] and [[Srikar Bharat]]. [[Koneru Humpy|Humpy Koneru]], from [[Gudivada]] in [[Krishna district]], is an Indian chess [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]]. [[Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao]], the first 12 times National heavy weight lifting Champion, hails from [[krishna district]]. [[Karnam Malleswari]], the first female Indian to win an [[Olympic medal]], hails from [[Srikakulam district]]. She won the bronze medal on 19 September 2000, in the {{cvt|69|kg|abbr=on}} category with a lift of {{cvt|240|kg}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/karnam-malleswari-ended-the-weight-of-a-medal-deprived-nation/articleshow/14975439.cms|title = Karnam Malleswari at Olympics|date =n.d.|work = The Times of India|access-date = 29 June 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140730011006/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/karnam-malleswari-ended-the-weight-of-a-medal-deprived-nation/articleshow/14975439.cms|archive-date = 30 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Krishnam Raju Gadiraju]] of [[Bhimavaram]], is a four-time world record holder. He is a [[speedcubing|speedsolver]] and [[unicycle|unicyclist]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/he-can-solve-rubiks-cube-underwater/articleshow/61622059.cms|title=He can solve Rubik's Cube underwater|work=The Times of India|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213085119/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/he-can-solve-rubiks-cube-underwater/articleshow/61622059.cms|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pullela Gopichand]] is a former Indian [[badminton]] player. He won the [[All England Open Badminton Championships]] in 2001, becoming the second Indian to win after [[Prakash Padukone]].<ref name="mapsofindia">{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/sports/pulella-gopichand.html|title=Pulella Gopichand|publisher=mapsofindia.com|access-date=7 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213051415/http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/sports/pulella-gopichand.html|archive-date=13 February 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="toi_dec02">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/P-Gopichand/articleshow/30977688.cms|title=P Gopichand|date=11 December 2002|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=7 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821192742/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/P-Gopichand/articleshow/30977688.cms|archive-date=21 August 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GBA">{{cite web|url=http://www.pgba.in/abt_gopi.html|title=Pullela Gopichand – The Founder|publisher=Gopichand Badminton Academy|access-date=7 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224093210/http://www.pgba.in/abt_gopi.html|archive-date=24 February 2010}}</ref> [[Srikanth Kidambi]], a badminton player, is the first ever Indian to reach the World Championships final in 2021 in the men's singles and win a silver medal.{{cn|date=January 2022}} [[Cherukuri Lenin]] (1985 or 1986{{snd}}24 October 2010) was an Indian archer and coach who won a silver medal at the Asian Grand Prix in Malaysia and was a national [[archery]] coach. == See also == * [[List of people from Andhra Pradesh]] *[[Outline of Andhra Pradesh]] * [[Middle kingdoms of India]] * [[Part I of the Constitution of India|Part One of the Constitution of India]] {{Clear}} == Notes == {{notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == ===Government=== * [https://www.ap.gov.in/ Andhra Pradesh Government Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105194334/http://www.ap.gov.in/ |date=5 November 2020 }} * [https://tourism.ap.gov.in/ Department of Tourism] ===General information=== * {{curlie|Regional/Asia/India/Andhra_Pradesh/}} * {{osmrelation-inline|2022095}} {{State agencies of Andhra Pradesh}} {{Major Cities of Andhra Pradesh}} {{States and territories of India}} {{subject bar|Geography|Asia|India|auto=1}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Andhra Pradesh| ]] [[Category:South India|.]] [[Category:States and union territories of India]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1956]] [[Category:1956 establishments in India]]'