Overview of the district

Visakhapatnam is a coastal, port city, often called “The Jewel of the East Coast”, situated in  the of Andhra Pradesh, located on the eastern shore of India, nestled among the hills of the Eastern Ghats and facing the Bay of Bengal to the east. It is the administrative headquarters of Visakhapatnam District and is also home of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.

It is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh with an area of 550 km², it is primarily an industrial city, apart from being a port city. It is also home to the Eastern Naval Command.

According to the history, the city was named after the god of Valor-Vishakha. It was a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, under Ashoka’s rule in 260 B.C. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of Vengi. After this Pallava,

Chola and Ganga dynasties ruled the city.In the 15th century, Vishakhapatnam became a part of the Vijayanagar Empire.

It is often called the best tourism destination in Andhra Pradesh. From Lakes to cool Beaches, from beautiful Hill Ranges to Caves and Valleys, Visakhapatnam has them all. The district has many tourism spots that represent the Culture and Heritage of the true India.

Location

Located in the northeastern part of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India lies between the latitudes of 170–15 ’and 180-32’ in the north, between the latitudes of 180–54 and 830-30 ’east. It is bordered on the north by the state of Orissa, the Vijayanagaram district on the south, the East Godavari district on the south, Orissa on the west and the Bay of Bengal on the east.

Demography

Economy

Agriculture

Agriculture is the main stray of nearly 70% of the households.Though Visakhapantam city is industrially developing, the rural areas continued to be backward. Rice is a staple food of the people and Paddy is therefore the principal food crop of the district followed by Ragi, Bajra and Jowar and Cash Crops such as Sugarcane,Groundnut, Sesamum, Niger and Chillies are important. Since there is no Major Irrigation system, only about 36% of the cropped area is irrigated under the Ayacut of the Medium Irrigation system and Minor Irrigation Tanks. The rest of the cultivated area is covered under dry crops depending upon the vagaries of the monsoon. The productivity of the crops are low.

Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry is an important allied economic activity to Agriculture. Next to draught Animals which are main source of energy for Agriculture, Milch Animals, Sheep and Goat are important for income generation of the rural households. A sizable number of households earn subsidiary income by selling milk to Visakha Dairy and in Local markets. The total livestock of the district is 14.48 lakhs of which working animals account for 2.01 lakhs while milk Animals account for 3.28 lakhs. Goats and Sheep’s totaling up to 5.76 lakhs are important for the livelihood of the considerable population as per 2012 census.

Fishing

It is another important economic activity of the fishermen population living in about 59 fishery villages and hamlets on coastline stretching to a length of 132 kms. covering 11 coastal mandals. About 13,000 fishermen families to takeout their livelihood from marine, Inland and brakish water fishing besides catching fish living around Thandava and Raiwada reservoirs. There is 118862.00 Tons of fish produced during 2015-16 with value of 120894.27 lakhs.

Minerals

The District has mineral deposits of Bauxite Apatite (Rock Phosphate) Calcite, Crystalline limestone confined to tribal tracts. Bauxite deposits at Sapparla, Jerrila and Gudem of G.K.Veedhi Mandal are considered to be the largest in the country. Bauxite deposits are also identified at Galikonda, Katuki, Chittemgondi of Araku group deposits, Katamrajukonda of Gurthedu sub-group of deposits. Phosphate Apatite is available in Kasipatnam village of Ananthagiri mandal. Rich deposits of Crystalline limestone and Calcite are mapped in Borra Caves and along the Valley up to Araku from Borra and around Valasi village of Ananthagiri mandal. Ruby Mica is another mineral available in the District essential for electrical and electronic industries. The mineral occurs in the form of Phologopite and is confined to Borra tract.

Quartz is another mineral found mostly in Bheemunipatnam, Padmanabham, Devarapalli, K.Kotapadu and Ananthagiri mandals.Vermiculate found near Kasipatnam of Ananthagiri mandal. Clay deposits near Malivalasa of Araku mandal are identified. Limeshell useful for manufacture of chemical grade lime is also available in the district. Red and Yellow ochre deposits are also identified in Araku and Ananthagiri mandals.

To know more visit https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/