Coastal Andhra 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 92,906 square kilometres (35,871 sq mi) and a population of 3,41,93,868. This area 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, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore.
The Bhadrachalam Revenue Division was part of East Godavari District up to 1959, after which it was merged into Khammam district. Ashwaraopet was also part of West Godavari District up to 1959. Once Telangana State is formed Bhadrachalam Revenue Division (Wazedu, Charla, Venkatapuram, Dummugudam, Kunavaram, Bhadrachalam, Vara Ramachandara Puram and Chinturu Mandals) will be transferred to the parent district East Godavari and Aswaraopet. Mandal will also be merged with West Godavari. Munagara Taluka, now in Nalgonda District, before 1956 historically part of Krishna District, was also part of Andhra and some revenue villages in Huzurnagar area were in part of the Andhra Region.
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 fields is the main crop, with pulses and coconuts also being important. The fishing industry is also important to the region.
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Coastal Andhra is located to the east of Telangana and Rayalaseema regions boardered by Orissa to the North and Tamil Nadu to the West.The coastal line of this region is the second largest in India, extending 960KM.
Coastal Andhra comprises Circar districts:
The Northern Circars correspond in the main to the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, including the districts of:
The Gajapati and Ganjam districts of Orissa 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.
Currently, Coastal Andhra comprises nine districts. Unlike Rayalaseema and Telangana, Coastal Andhra does not have unique cultural and linguistic identities throughout the region. Coastal Andhra hosts six dialects of Telugu: Srikakulam, Visakapatnam, Godavari, Krishna, Ongole, and Nellore. Food varies from district to district. Parts of this region are ruled by different rulers, leading to diversity within the region.
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.
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.
Other major towns in the region are; Kavali, Amalapuram, Bhimavaram, Chirala, Eluru, Gudivada, Machilipatnam, Narsapuram, Ongole, Palasa, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Tenali, Vizianagaram and Tuni.
Andhra Pradesh contains 259 coastal wetlands, covering an area of 18,552 km2.,[1] out of which 88 are manmade.
Lakes Kolleru and 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.
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 splits into several distributary branches, including the Gouthami, Vasishta, Vainatheya, and Vruddha Gouthami, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Chief Ministers from the region are:
The Indian National Congress and Telugu Desam Party 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. Chiranjeevi, a film actor who established the PRP is from the West Godavari district. Politics in Krishna district has been influenced by caste-based rowdyism, which caused several violent incidents in the district.