West Godavari district
| West Godavari district district పశ్చిమ గోదావరి జిల్లా | |
|---|---|
| District of Andhra Pradesh | |
 Location of West Godavari district district in Andhra Pradesh | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Administrative division | West Godavari district |
| Headquarters | Eluru |
| Government | |
| • District collector | Katamaneni Bhaskar[1] |
| • Lok Sabha constituencies | Narsapuram (Lok Sabha constituency), Eluru (Lok Sabha constituency) |
| • Assembly seats | 15 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 3,934,782[2] |
| • Urban | 20.55% |
| Demographics | |
| • Literacy | 74.32% |
| • Sex ratio | 1004 |
| Major highways | NH-16 NH-214, NH-214A |
| Coordinates | 16°55′N 81°20′E / 16.917°N 81.333°ECoordinates: 16°55′N 81°20′E / 16.917°N 81.333°E |
| Website | Official website |
West Godavari district is one of the 13 districts in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is located at Eluru. As of 2011 Census, the district had a population of 3,934,782, 19.74% of which is urban population.[2]
History
Eluru was a part of the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi. The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra from 700 to 1200, with Vengi, near the village of Pedavegi, as their capital. Historical evidences are found at the villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471. Later it fell into the hands of the Gajapathis. In 1515 Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was taken by the Sultan of Golkonda, Kutub Shah. In 1925, West Godavari District was formed with Eluru as its headquarters and all the district offices and regional offices were set up in Eluru town.
West Godavari district was formed from old Godavari district in the year 1925. The Godavari district was renamed as East Godavari district and the new district is named as West Godavari district.[3]
Geography
The district occupies an area of 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi). The district is bounded by Khammam district on the north, Bay of Bengal on the south. The Godavari River separates East Godavari district on east and Krishna River separates it from Krishna district on the west.[4] Vijayarai Anicut, Tammileru, Jalleru and Yerrakalava reservoirs are the source of irrigation.[5]
Climate
The region has a tropical climate similar to the rest of the Coastal Andhra region. The summers (March–June) are very hot and dry while the winters are fairly pleasant. The temperatures in the summers often rise over 50 degrees during the day. The rainy season (July–December) is often the best time for tourist visits, as fields are brilliantly green with paddy crops, rivers flowing with monsoon water, and a relatively cool climate. The region has long been home to the Indian nobles due to its climate and fertile soil, and several zamindar large mansions are scattered around the Godavari area.
Demographics
As of 2011 Census of India, West Godavari district has a population of 3,936,966,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Liberia[6] or the US state of Oregon.[7] This gives it a ranking of 61st in India (out of a total of 640).[8] The district has a population density of 508 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,320/sq mi) .[8] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 3.45%.[8] West Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males,[8] and a literacy rate of 74.32%.[8]
Household indicators
In 2007–2008 the International Institute for Population Sciences interviewed 999 households in 48 villages across the district.[9] They found that 93.2% had access to electricity, 98.1% to drinking water, 56.7% to indoor toilet facilities, and 33.2% lived in a pucca (permanent) home. and 86.4% of interviewees carried a BPL card.[9]
Economy
Agriculture is one of the main occupation in the district with the main produce being paddy. Sugarcane, cashew nut, mango, coconut and tobacco are other important crops.[5]
Wooden Pile Carpet Industry in Eluru produces eco-friendly carpets from wool and are exported foreign countries as well.[10][11]
Administrative divisions
The district has four revenue divisions, namely Eluru, Jangareddigudem, Kovvur, and Narasapuram. These revenue divisions are divided into 48 mandals in the district. These 46 mandals consists of 881 villages, 1 municipal corporation, 7 municipalities and 5 census towns. Eluru is the only municipal corporation, 7 municipalities include, Kovvur, Narasapuram, Nidadavolu, Palakol, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Bhimavaram and the 5 census towns are Dwarakatirumala, Sanivarapupeta, Satrampadu, Gavaravaram and Tangellamudi.[4]
Mandals
The list of 46 mandals in West Godavari district under 4 revenue divisions are listed in the following table:
Constituencies
Earlier there had been two Parliamentary Constituencies and 16 Assembly Constituencies. The Constituencies Delimitation Committee has reduced that to 15 and now there are two parliamentary and 15 Assembly constituencies in West Godavari district.
The parliamentary constituencies are Eluru, and Narsapuram.
The Assembly constituencies are:[12]
Culture
The vast majority of the district is rural in nature thus the culture of the district is mostly conservative and traditional. The joint family system and arranged marriages are the norm. Cities like Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem and Eluru are a little bit more modern. The standard form of the Telugu dialect is spoken in this district just as its neighboring Krishna district.. English is commonly spoken by the younger generation as most higher education is conducted in English medium.
Education
Literacy Rate of West Godavari District is 74.63% (Census 2011).
Universities
- National Institute of Technology, Tadepalligudem(NIT,Tadepalligudem).
- Dr YSR Horticultural University, Venktramannagudem, Tadepalligudem.
- Andhra University Campus at Tadepalligudem.
Tourism and landmarks
Dwaraka Tirumala, an ancient holy place and a popular pilgrim center in the district. Sthala Puranam, a pilgrimage destination is called Dwaraka Tirumala after the great saint, Dwaraka, who located the self manifested idol of Lord Venkateswara after severe penance in a Valmikam (ant hill). The place is also known as Chinna Tirupati (mini-Tirupati). Perupalem Beach, located at a distance of 20 km from the town of Narasapuram. Godavari River and its banks are the scenic locations that attracts many nature observers. Ksheera Rama Lingeswara Swami Temple, one of the five Pancharama Kshetras, is notable for its 36.6 m (120 ft) Gopuram, located in Palakollu town. It was built by the Reddy Rajas, who ruled this place during 15th century.
Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari temple in Penugonda , an important destiny for Arya Vysya community. Bhimavaram is one of the Pancharama Kshetras, with the Somarama Pancharama dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he is known as Someswarudu. Adinatha Bhagavan Jain temple in Peda-Amiram. Juttiga is a small Village in Penumantra Mandal. A river by name "Gostanadi" which has got a historical significance is pass through it. Kovvuru, Pattisam, Papikondalu, Polavaram, Koruturu, Kamavaram, Jangareddygudem, Dwaraka Tirumala, Jeelakarragudem, Eluru, Pedavegi and Kolleru Lake are other nearby locations for tourist destinations.
References
- ↑ "Katamaneni Bhaskar New WG Collector". The New Indian Express. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- 1 2 3 "West Godavari district profile". Andhra Pradesh State Portal.
- ↑ "West Godavari district profile". The Hindu. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- 1 2 "District Census Handbook - West Godavari" (PDF). Census of India. pp. 22–23, 54. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- 1 2 "Ground Water Brochure, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh (AAP- 2012-13)" (PDF). Central Ground Water Board. Ministry of Water Resources. p. 7. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 2011-10-01.
Liberia 3,786,764July 2011 est.
- ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
Oregon 3,831,074
- 1 2 3 4 5 "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
- 1 2 "District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS-3), 2007-08: India. Andhra Pradesh" (PDF). International Institute for Population Sciences and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ↑ Nagaraja, G (20 March 2014). "Handmade carpet industry in doldrums". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ↑ Sajnani, Manohar (2001). Encyclopaedia of tourism resources in India. New Delhi: Kalpaz Pub. p. 66. ISBN 978-81-7835-018-9. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ↑ http://ceoandhra.nic.in/Right%20to%20Infn.Act/annex1.htm District-wise Assembly-Constituencies in Andhra Pradesh
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Godavari district. |
 |
Khammam district, Telangana | | ||
| Krishna district |  |
East Godavari district | ||
| ||||
 | ||||
| Bay of Bengal |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
