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Andhra Pradesh: A State Overview

• Andhra Pradesh, one of the 29 states of India, is located on the southeastern coast of the country. It ranks as the eighth largest state in terms of area, covering 160,205 square kilometers (61,855 square miles). According to the 2011 census, it is the tenth most populous state, with a population of 49,386,799 people. 
• The new capital city of Andhra Pradesh is planned to be situated in Guntur District, to the north of Guntur City, and will be developed under the Capital Region Development Authority. As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, Hyderabad will serve as the de jure capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states for a period not exceeding 10 years.

Geographical Features of Andhra Pradesh

• Andhra Pradesh boasts the second longest coastline in India, stretching 972 kilometers (604 miles), surpassed only by Gujarat. It shares borders with Telangana to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the north, Odisha to the northeast, Karnataka to the west, Tamil Nadu to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. Additionally, a small enclave called Yanam, belonging to the Pondicherry district, is situated south of Kakinada in the Godavari delta in the northeastern part of the state. 
• Andhra Pradesh is divided into two main regions: Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. It comprises 26 districts, with 9 in Coastal Andhra and 4 in Rayalaseema. Important cities include Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool, Kadapa, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Ongole, and Eluru. Vishakapatnam stands as the largest city and commercial center of the state, boasting a GDP of $26 billion, followed by Vijayawada with a GDP of $36 billion.

Diverse Economy of Andhra Pradesh

• The varied geography of Andhra Pradesh contributes to its diverse economy. Nine out of the state's 26 districts have a coastline along the Bay of Bengal, fostering the development of manufacturing and export-oriented industries. The fertile river plains in the delta regions of major peninsular rivers such as the Godavari and Krishna support agriculture-based industries. 
• Additionally, the presence of mineral deposits in districts like Rayalaseema, Eastern Ghats, and neighboring states has resulted in significant exports of ores on a large scale.

Industrial Centers and Economic Activities in Andhra Pradesh

• The city of Visakhapatnam has become a significant industrial hub, hosting major establishments in both the public and private sectors. These establishments engage in the large-scale production of industrial goods, including steel, metals, petroleum, polymers, fertilizers, and heavy engineering equipment. Visakhapatnam also serves as a center for shipbuilding, ports, and fishing activities.
• Kakinada, on the other hand, is home to multiple fertilizer refineries and plays a crucial role in the production of natural gas extracted from the offshore of the KG basin. Additionally, Kakinada is involved in the export of seafood and related products and is known for producing agricultural commodities such as rice, corn, edible oils, oilmeals, processed food products, chemicals, and biofuels.
• Vijayawada is renowned for its processing of agricultural products and serves as a center for automobile bodybuilding, hardware, textiles, consumer goods, and small-scale industries.
• The state of Andhra Pradesh boasts one major port located in Visakhapatnam and several medium-sized ports including Gangavaram, Kakinada, and Krishnapatnam. These ports play a crucial role in facilitating large cargo exports. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh is home to several large power plants, with major ones situated in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Krishnapatnam, and Cuddapah.