Examine individual changes

'[[Image:Kosta.png|thumb|Coastal Andhra Regions marked in [[white]].]] [[File:Evening scenic view in peddipalem village of Visakhapatnam District.jpg|thumb|right|Evening [[scenic]] view in peddipalem [[village]] of [[Visakhapatnam District]]]] [[Image:Konaseema greenery 1.JPG|thumb|right|Lush green farms in East [[godavari]]]] '''Coastal Andhra (Telugu : కోస్తాంధ్ర) ''' or '''Kosta''', is a region of [[India]]'s [[Andhra Pradesh]] State. This region was part of [[Madras State]] before 1953 and [[Andhra State]] from 1953 to 1956. According to the 2011 census, it has an area of {{convert|92906|sqkm}} and a population of 34,193,868. This area includes the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh between the [[Eastern Ghats]] and the [[Bay of Bengal]], from the northern border with [[Odisha]] 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]]. 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 an 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. The fishing industry is also important to the region. ==History== [[File:Jain Tirthankara Image at Rockcut Caves of Ghanikonda in Ramatheertham.jpg|thumb|Jain [[Tirthankara]] Image at Rockcut Caves of Ghanikonda in [[Ramatheertham]]]] The state of Andhra emerged to a political power during the reign of Maurya Dynasty. [[Megasthenes]] mentioned that Andhra was a flourishing empire of the Satavahana's from the times before christ. Coastal Andhra was also ruled by the famous [[Chalukyas]] in between the period of the 7th Century and the 10th Century CE. This period was followed by the reign of many other dynasties such as the Cholas, the Kakatiyas as well as the Vijayanagar Empire. [[File:Antarvedi temple on the banks of Godavari in Andhra pradesh.jpg|thumb|[[Antarvedi]] temple on the banks of [[Godavari]] in Andhra pradesh]] ===Buddhist hub=== [[File:Gurubhaktulakonda Buddhist Monastery Remnants at Ramatheertham.jpg|thumb|Gurubhaktulakonda [[Buddhist]] Monastery Remnants at [[Ramatheertham]]]] [[File:Amvar Chejerla Kapoteswara temple in guntur district.jpg|thumb|[[Chejarla]] Apsidal Kapoteswara temple in [[Guntur district]]]] [[File:Maha Stupa at Thotlakonda Monastic Complex.jpg|thumb|Maha Stupa at [[Thotlakonda]] Monastic Complex]] Coastal Andhra is one of the major Buddhist hub's in India after the Gangetic plain Buddhist Hub of Bihar, Jharkand and Uttar Pradesh. Many Remnants from Large Monasteries to small Stupas are found in this region from Srikakulam District in the North to Nellore District in the South. The major Buddhist Remnant sites<ref>[http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html ]{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> in Coastal Andhra are as follows: * [[Salihundam]] in [[Srikakulam District]] * [[Danthavarapukota]] (Dantapuri<ref>[http://museums.ap.nic.in/b-sites.htm ]{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref>) in Srikakulam District * [[Ramatheertham]] in [[Vizianagaram District]] * [[Pavurallakonda]] in Visakhapatnam District * [[Thotlakonda]] in Visakhapatnam District * [[Bavikonda]] in Visakhapatnam District * [[Bojjannakonda]] (Sankaram) in Visakhapatnam District * [[Kotturu Dhanadibbalu]] in [[Visakhapatnam District]] * Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam District * Kummarilova<ref>{{cite web|author=B.V.S. Bhaskar |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/buddhist-site-found-near-tuni/article2898357.ece |title=Buddhist site found near Tuni |publisher=The Hindu |date=2012-02-16 |accessdate=2013-07-29}}</ref> ([[Tuni]]) in East Godavari District * Kodavali<ref>{{cite web|author=K.N. Murali Sankar |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/asi-gets-tough-with-encroachers/article2669627.ece |title=ASI gets tough with encroachers |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-11-29 |accessdate=2013-07-29}}</ref> in East Godavari District * Kapavaram in [[East Godavari District]] * [[Guntupalli]] in West Godavari District * Pedavegi in [[West Godavari District]] * [[Ghantasala, India|Ghantasala]] in Krishna District * [[Gudivada]] in [[Krishna District]] * [[Jaggaiahpet]] in Krishna District * [[Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh|Amaravati]] in [[Guntur District]] * [[Bhattiprolu]] in Guntur District * Anupu in Guntur District * Chandavaram in [[Prakasam District]] * Kanuparti in Prakasam District * [[Ramatheertam]] in [[Nellore District]] === Pilgrimages of Kosta=== [[File:Caves on Dhammalingesvarasvami Hill 05.JPG|thumb|Rock cut Caves at [[Guntupalli]] in [[West Godavari District]]]] * [[Simhachalam]] * Indrakeeladri ([[Vijayawada]]) * [[Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh|Amaravathi]] * [[Dwaraka Tirumala]] * Penchala Kona * [[Draksharamam]] * [[Annavaram]] * [[Arasavalli]] * [[Sri Kurmam]] * pithapuram * annavaram * Markapuram * [[Antarvedi]] * [[Ramatheertham]] * [[Bheemavaram]] * [[Palakollu]] * [[Mangalagiri]] * Kotappa Konda * [[Samalkot]] * [[Nellore]] * Panchadhaarla ([[Visakhapatnam]] District) * Sri [[Mukhalingam]] [[File:Kolleru Lake at dusk.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kolleru]] Lake at dusk]] [[File:Boats at Bhimili beach Visakhapatnam District.JPG|thumb|Boats at Bhimili ([[Bheemunipatnam]]) beach in [[Visakhapatnam District]]]] ===Places of historical importance=== [[File:Vijayawada-Kondapalli Quilla.jpg|thumb|[[Kondapalli]] fort near [[Vijayawada]]]] [[File:West Entrance of the Vizianagaram fort in Andhra Pradesh.jpg|thumb|West Entrance of the [[Vizianagaram]] fort in Andhra Pradesh]] * [[Vizianagaram]] * [[Tuni]] * [[Bobbili]] * [[Palnadu]] * [[Rajahmundry]] * [[Kondapalli]] * [[Udayagiri]] * Kondaveedu * [[Venkatagiri]] [[File:Pulicat Lake.jpg|thumb|Pulicat Lake in [[Nellore District]]]] ==Geography== Coastal Andhra is located to the east of Telangana and Rayalaseema regions boardered by [[Odisha]] to the North and [[Rayalseema]] to the south and Telangana to the west.The coastal line of this region is the second largest in India, extending 960KM. ==Composition== It contains second richest district in the whole country and it is East Godavari supported by beautiful paddy farms and coconut trees. Coastal Andhra comprises Circar districts: * Srikakulam * Vizianagaram * Visakapatnam * East Godavari * West Godavari * Krishna * Guntur The Northern Circars correspond in the main to the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, including the districts of: * Krishna * East Godavari * West Godavari * Visakhapatnam * Vizianagaram * Srikakulam * Prakasam * Guntur * Nellore The Gajapati and Ganjam districts of [[Odisha]] were granted to the French East India Company around 1752. Later they were transferred by the French to the British. Nellore, which extends as far as Ongole Taluk, was later received from the Nawab of Arcot, under an establishment. Some parts of present day Nellore and Chitoor were in the hands of Venkatagiri Rajas. The British made an arrangement with the Raja of Venkatagiri in 1802 to claim power in those territories also. At present Coastal Andhra extends from Srikakulam to the Nellore district, mainly because of geographical proximity. ==Diversity== Currently, Coastal Andhra comprises nine districts. Unlike Telangana and Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra does not have unique cultural and linguistic identities throughout the region. Coastal Andhra hosts six dialects of Telugu: Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Godavari, Krishna, Ongole and Nellore. Parts of this region are ruled by different rulers, leading to diversity within the region. Coastal Andhra in turn can be divided into Northern Region (Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts), Central Region (East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts) and Southern Region (Prakasam and Nellore districts). Food varieties vary from each sub region. ==Demographics== * Area: 92,906&nbsp;km² * Population: 34,193,868 as per the 2011 census * Literacy: 63% * Language: 96% of people speak Telugu ==Cultural elements== ===Dance=== Classical dance in Andhra may be performed by both men and women; though women tend to learn it more commonly. [[Kuchipudi]] is the state's best-known classical dance form. It was born in the [[Kuchipudi]] village, of Krishna district, which is in the center of coastal Andhra. ===Individuals who contributed to Telugu literature, arts and cinema=== * [[Nannayya]] * [[Tikkana]] * [[Gurajada Apparao]] * [[Devulapalli Venkata Krishna Sastri]] * [[Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Chowdary]] * [[Gurram Jashuva]] * [[Sri.Gunturu Seshendra Sharma]] * [[S. V. Ranga Rao]] * [[B.Haranath Raju]] * [[Ghantasala (singer)]] * [[Pingali Venkayya]] * [[Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao]] * [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]] *[[Ghattamaneni Krishna]] *[[Uppalapati Krishnam Raju]] * [[Chiranjeevi]] * Pawan Kalyan * [[Sameera Reddy]] ===Cuisine=== Rice is the staple food in the Kosta cuisine and is usually consumed with a variety of curries and lentil soups or broths. Cuisine of Coastal Andhra is influenced by Sea Food varieties. Godavari and Krishna districts have numerous varieties of foods, which are famous through the state. Food varieties in some parts of Nellore and Prakasam are influenced by Rayalaseema. ==List of cities in the region== [[File:Vizagcity.jpg|thumb|right|Over view of Vizag city]] [[File:Rajahmundry Railway station 01.JPG|thumb|Rajahmundry Railway station, is and important station on Howrah - Chennai Main Line]] * [[Visakhapatnam|Visakhapatnam - Greater Visakhapatnam]] also termed as the "City of [[Destiny]]" is the most populous city and is the industrial centre of coastal [[Andhra]]. It contains the Eastern Naval Command headquarters, Hindustan shipyard, Dockyards, Vizag Steel Plant, and the Hindustan Petroleum refinery. It has a cosmopolitan culture and many educational institutes, including 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,<ref>{{cite web|author=Demand Curve |url=http://www.livemint.com/2009/09/07215125/The-rapidly-growing-stable-ma.html |title=The rapidly growing, stable markets of southern India |publisher=Livemint |date=2009-09-07 |accessdate=2013-07-29}}</ref> the second richest city of this region. [[Visakhapatnam port]] is an important harbour for the region. The district is endowed with picturesque places, hill stations like Aruku Valley, Borra Caves, Paderu and Sileru, and beaches like RK, Bhimili, Rishi Konda, Yarada and Kailasagiri Hill * [[Vijayawada]], the second largest city, is situated on the banks of the River [[Krishna]]. It is the cultural, historic, and commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh. 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 networks connecting south and north India.Vijayawada and Guntur regions is more likely to form as SCR (State Capital Region). Being the city with high potential for commercial and trade activities it lacks in providing sufficient employment opportunities to its people due to the fact that the land rates are very high in and around this region and so the governments find it difficult to allot Dedicated Economic Zones in this region and so the multinational and top companies in India aren't able to set up their organizations even though this region is available with plenty of skilled manpower,ease of accessibility(It is well connected to all major cities of India),power generation capabilities and feasibility to run a company etc.. * [[Guntur - Greater Guntur]] is third largest city in the region and a greater municipal corporation and a major centre of business & learning. It is the heart of the textiles, tobacco, chillies, and cotton industries. With a major business of textiles & tobacco, Guntur city lacks in industrial development.It also has many ancient sites nearby. The upcoming commercial belt between Guntur & Vijayawada has a great scope of merging the cities into twins. * [[Rajahmundry]],the fourth largest city & it is one of the largest cities in the Andhra Pradesh 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 known as the Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh,{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} since it has a rich cultural past.It is also known as the Agricultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh * [[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.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} It is a serene city which also called a Pensioner's Paradise.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} It is well known for the recent investments made in the Petrol, chemical and Petrochemical sectors.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} It is also called Fertilizer City.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} Kakinada is fourth largest City in Andhra Pradesh(area wise). * [[Nellore]] is a younger city in the region. Nellore is famous for its production of mica (gudur), lemon (gudur) and agricultural products such as rice.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} It is also famous for Aqua culture, hence called as Aquaculture capital of India.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}. * [[Ongole]] is the youngest city in the region. The major production of Ongole is Patty, Millet, Maize, Greengram, Blackgram, Turmeric, Tobacco, Groundnut, Chillies, Cotton. The major minerals in this region are late stone, granite (Cheemakurthy). It is also famous for zebu breed of oxen, Hence the breed was named after Ongole as 'Ongolu Gitta'. Other major towns in the region are; [[Kavali]], [[Amalapuram]], [[Bhimavaram]], [[Chirala]], [[Eluru]], [[Gudivada]], [[Machilipatnam]], [[Narasaraopet]], chilakaluripet, [[Markapur]], [[Narsapuram]], [[Palasa]], [[Srikakulam]], [[Tadepalligudem]], [[Tanuku]], [[Tenali]], [[Bapatla]] [[Vizianagaram]] and [[Tuni]]. ==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.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} Part of the [[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, lush green paddy fields and numerous canals. In this region, the river Akhanda [[Godavari River|Godavari]] splits into several [[distributary]] branches, including the Gouthami, Vasishta, Vainatheya, and Vruddha Gouthami, before emptying into the [[Bay of Bengal]]. ==Transportation== * The East Coast Railway serves Srikakulam, Vizianagaram District, and part of Visakhapatnam district including Visakhapatnam City. Vijayawada Railway Station is the one of the busiest railway junctions in India. The 2nd largest Railway station in the South.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} * The airports in the Kosta Area are Visakhapatnam Airport is only International Airport, Vijayawada Airport and Rajahmundry Airport. * Kosta has two of the major ports of India, at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, and three minor ports at Krishnapatnam (Nellore), Machilipatnam, and Nizampatnam (Guntur). A private port has been developed at Gangavaram, near Visakhapatnam. This deep seaport will accommodate ocean liners of up to 200,000–250,000 tons. ==Image Gallery== <gallery> File:Lord narasimha rock statue backyard simhachalam temple.jpg|Lord [[narasimha]] rock statue backyard [[simhachalam]] temple File:Caves on Dhammalingesvarasvami Hill 02.JPG|Caves on Dhammalingesvarasvami Hill at [[Guntupalli]] File:A view of eastern ghats at Visakhapatnam AP.jpg|A view of eastern ghats at [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India File:Kon2.jpg|Konaseema fields in [[East Godavari District]] File:Cave of Pandavas.jpg|Pandavulametta Cave a historical site in [[Peddapuram]] File:Kumara Bhimarama Temple at Samalkota.jpg|Kumara Bhimarama Temple at [[Samalkota]] File:Rail-Road bridge Godavari.JPG|Rail-Road bridge Godavari File:1000 year old Sri Rama temple on top of Gurubhaktula konda.jpg|1000 year old Sri [[Rama]] temple on top of Bodhikonda, [[Ramatheertham]] File:Pampa reservoir at annavaram.jpg|Pampa [[reservoir]] at [[annavaram]] File:Undavalli Caves.jpg|Undavalli Caves in [[Guntur District]] File:MANDASA BASUDEBA TEMPLE.jpg|[[Mandasa]] Vasudeva Temple in [[Srikakulam District]] File:Stone built Stupa and Large group of stupas 2.JPG|Stone built Stupa and Large group of stupas at [[Guntupalli]] File:Ongole railway station.jpg|Ongole railway station File:Ganesha stone carved Relief Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu Temple.jpg|Ganesha stone carved Relief Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu Temple, [[Krishna District]] </gallery> ==Politics== Chief Ministers from the region are: * [[Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu - Ongole]] * [[N.T.Rama Rao]] * [[Kasu Brahmhananda Reddy]] * [[Bhavanam Venkatarami Reddy]] * [[Nadendla Bhaskar Rao]] * [[N.Janardhan Reddy]] * [[K.Rosaiah]] The [[Y.S.R Congress, belongs to Rayalaseema Region]] and [[Telugu Desam Party, belongs to Andhra Region]] are both strong in the region, having a traditional vote bank. The politics of the northern part of the region are mainly influenced by Caste. Politics in Krishna district has been influenced by caste-based rowdyism, which caused several violent incidents in the district.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} ==See also== * [[Konaseema Floods]] * [[Uttarandhra]] * [[Coromandel Coast]] * [[Telangana]] * [[Rayalaseema]] * [[Nagullanka]] ==References== '''Notes''' {{Reflist}} {{refimprove|date=December 2011}} ==External links== *{{commonscat-inline}} {{Godavari basin}} {{coord missing|Andhra Pradesh}} [[Category:Regions of Andhra Pradesh]]'