Examine individual changes

'{{Multiple issues|refimprove =December 2009|copyedit =June 2010}} [[Image:Kosta.png|thumb|Coastal Andhra Regions marked in white.]] '''Coastal Andhra''' or '''Kosta''', is a region of [[India]]'s [[Andhra Pradesh]] state. This region was part of [[Madras state]] before 1953 and was part of [[Andhra State]] 1953-56. It has an area of 92,906&nbsp;km² and population of 31,705,092<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Population/Total_Population.aspx Official Govt of India Website, Office of the Registrar general&Census Commissioner India (One needs to Register&Login to get this District-wise data)]</ref> per the 2001 census.It includes the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh between the [[Eastern Ghats]] and the [[Bay of Bengal]], from the northern border with [[Orissa]] to south of the delta of the [[Krishna River]]. It includes the districts of [[Srikakulam District|Srikakulam]], [[Vizianagaram District|Vizianagaram]], [[Visakhapatnam District|Visakhapatnam]], [[East Godavari]], [[West Godavari]], [[Krishna District|Krishna]], [[Guntur District|Guntur]], [[Prakasam District|Prakasam]] and [[Nellore District|Nellore]]. Initially, Bhadrachalam Revenue disivison (Wazed, Venkatapuram, Charla, Dummugudem, Kunavaram, Bhadrachalam, Vararamachandrapuram, Chintur 8 Mandals) currently in Khammam district were part of Costal Andhra. However, in 1959 this Revenue Division was shifted from East Godavari District to Khammam district for administrative purpose. Likewise Aswaraopet, currently in Khammam District was a part of West Godavari District up to 1959 and Munagala in Nalgonda District and other 45 Revenue Village in [[Huzurabad]] Taluk were in Coastal Andhra. If the new Telangana State is formed Bhadrachalam Revenue Division (8 Mandals), Ashwarao Pet (both now in Khammam), Munagala and New Huzeerabad Villages may be shifted to Costal Andhra State. Coastal Andhra has rich agricultural land, owing to the delta of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. The prosperity of Coastal Andhra can be attributed to its rich agricultural land and abundant water supply from these two rivers. [[Rice]] grown in [[paddy field]]s is the main crop, with [[pulses]] and [[coconut]]s also being important and also to the Fisheries industry. ==Major cities== [[Visakhapatnam]] is the most populated city and is the industrial centre of coastal Andhra. It boasts Eastern Naval Command headquarters, Hindusthan shipyard, Sea Poarts and Vizag steel plant, Hindusthan Petroleum refinery. It has a cosmopolitan culture and many educational institutes apart from Andhra University. Vizag as it is colloquially called, is also a tourist place of Andhra Pradesh. It is also the city with the highest GDP(as of 2008) of Rs.6698 crores compared to Rs.5726 crores of Vijayawada [http://www.livemint.com/2009/09/07215125/The-rapidly-growing-stable-ma.html], the second richest city of this region. [[Visakhapatnam port]] is an important harbour for the region. [[Vijayawada]], the second largest city, is situated on the banks of river [[Krishna]]. It is the cultural, historic, and commercial centre It is also one of the major educational hubs of India and a bustling business trading place. Vijayawada is a transportation hub for both Rail and Road network connecting south and north India. [[Kakinada]] is one of the largest cities in the region and a municipal corporation in East Godavari district.It is one of the major educational and industrial centre in the coastal andhra.This city is the most well planned city in Asia after Chandigarh. It is a serene city which also called as Pensioner's Paradise. It is well known for the recent investments made in the Petrol, chemical and Petrochemical sectors. It is also called as fertilizer city. [[Guntur]] is one of the largest cities in the region and a municipal corporation and a major centre of learning. It is the heart of tobacco and Chillis, cotton industries, major business district and is a textile hub. It is also known as the Agricultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh. It also features many ancient sites nearby. [[Rajahmundry]] is one of the largest cities in the region and a municipal corporation in the East Godavari district. Located on the banks of the River Godavari, it is a major business center. It is also known as the Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh, since it has a rich cultural past with a flourishing present and a promising future. [[Nellore]] is a younger and one of the major cities in the region and a municipal corporation and a major centre of trade . Nellore is famous for its production of mica (gudur), lemon (gudur) and agricultural products such as rice. It is also famous for Aqua culture, hence called as Aquaculture capital of India. This forms a proximity centre for Andhra and Tamilnadu. Other major towns in the region are; [[Amalapuram]], [[Bhimavaram]], [[Chirala]], [[Eluru]], [[Gudivada]], [[Machilipatnam]], [[Narsapuram]], [[Ongole]], [[Palasa]], [[Srikakulam]], [[Tadepalligudem]], [[Tanuku]], [[Tenali]], [[Vizianagaram]], etc. == Lakes and wetlands == Andhra Pradesh contains 259 coastal wetlands covering an area of 18,552&nbsp;km².,<ref>Wetlands of India report, ISRO</ref> out of which 88 are manmade. Lakes [[Kolleru Lake|Kolleru]] and [[Pulicat Lake|Pulicat]] are the two major lakes in Coastal Andhra. Kolleru, a natural sweet-water lake, is situated in the West Godavari district and serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for the two rivers. The lake is also an important habitat for up to 50,000 resident and migratory birds. The lake was declared a wildlife sanctuary in November 1999 under India's Wildlife Protection Act, and designated a wetland of international importance in November 2002 under the international [[Ramsar Convention]]. Pulicat is the largest salt water lake in the country, located in Nellore and spreads between Andhra Pradesh and [[Tamil Nadu]]. This is one of the famous attractions in south india. Some part of [[Godavari]] delta of the State is also known as [[Konaseema]], a rich delta region in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh.Konaseema is known for its green Coconut orchards, lushgreen Paddy fields and numerous canals. In this region, the river Akhanda [[Godavari River|Godavari]] splits into several [[distributary]] branches, including the Gouthami, Vasishta, Vintheya, and Vruddha Gouthami, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. ==See also== * [[Konaseema Floods]] * [[Uttarandhra]] * [[Coromandel Coast]] * [[Telangana]] * [[Rayalaseema]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{coord missing|Andhra Pradesh}} [[Category:Regions of Andhra Pradesh]] [[ta:கடற்கரை ஆந்திரா]] [[te:కోస్తా]]'