Andhra

Andhra commonly refers to the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located in the southeastern part of the country. The name also denotes the historic Andhra region, known as Andhra Desa, where Telugu, a Dravidian language, is the majority language. The official language of the state is Telugu, with Urdu and Tamil spoken in pockets.

Geography and regions: Andhra Pradesh borders Odisha to the northeast, Telangana to the north and west, Tamil Nadu to the south, and Karnataka to the southwest, with a long coastline along the Bay of Bengal. The state is traditionally divided into Coastal Andhra and the interior region of Rayalaseema. Important rivers include the Godavari and Krishna, which support agriculture and urban development. Major cities include Visakhapatnam, a major port on the coast, and inland cities such as Vijayawada and Guntur.

History: The state was formed in 1956 by merging the Andhra State with parts of the Madras Presidency. In 2014, the separate state of Telangana was created from a portion of Andhra Pradesh’s territory, leading to ongoing administrative and developmental reorganization for the remaining state.

Economy: Andhra Pradesh has a diversified economy with a strong agricultural base—crops such as rice, chili peppers, and other staples. Fisheries, manufacturing, and services contribute significantly. The coastal ports, including Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, play a key role in trade and industry, while urban centers host growing information technology and other services sectors.

Culture and education: The state is part of the Telugu-speaking cultural sphere, with a rich literary and performing arts heritage. Notable sites include Tirupati, a major pilgrimage center. Educational institutions include Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati, and Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur.