Andhra Pradesh Physiography

Subject: Geography | Unit: AP Geography | Topic: AP Physiography Exam: AP Group 2 (APPSC)

Introduction

Andhra Pradesh, the 8th largest state in India (1,62,975 sq km), has three distinct physiographic regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Ghats, and the Deccan Plateau (Rayalaseema). With a 974 km coastline (2nd longest), some of India's widest river deltas, and hill ranges reaching nearly 1,700 m, AP's physical geography directly shapes its agriculture, economy, and settlement patterns. This is among the most important topics for APPSC — questions on hill ranges, peaks, deltas, lakes, and district-physiography links are very frequent.

Context

AP was bifurcated on June 2, 2014, under the AP Reorganisation Act, with the residual state retaining 13 districts (later reorganized to 26 in 2022). The state lost Hyderabad to Telangana but retained its extensive coastline, river deltas, and mineral-rich interior. AP's geography spans from the tribal hills of Uttarandhra to the drought-prone Rayalaseema plateau and the fertile coastal deltas — three regions with distinct characters.

Core Content

Three Physiographic Regions

Eastern Ghats in AP

• Total Eastern Ghats length: ~1,750 km; AP has ~40% of total Eastern Ghats area
• In AP: discontinuous, broken by Godavari, Krishna, Pennar river valleys
• Average elevation: 600-900 m; covered predominantly with dry deciduous forests

Major Hill Ranges

Highest Points in AP

Coastal Plains

• Width: 100-130 km (widest in India at the deltas)
• Stretches from Srikakulam (north) to Nellore (south) — Andhra Plain/Circars
• Formed by alluvial deposits of Godavari, Krishna, Pennar rivers
• Extremely fertile; main rice-growing belt

Major Deltas

Godavari Delta: One of India's largest; districts: East Godavari, Konaseema; splits into Gautami Godavari (north) and Vasishta Godavari (south); Coringa mangrove forest (2nd largest in India); primary rice and coconut area.

Krishna Delta: Districts: Krishna, NTR, parts of Guntur, West Godavari; fertile rice and sugarcane area; Machilipatnam (historic port); Kolleru Lake between Krishna and Godavari deltas (Ramsar site).

Pennar Delta: District: SPSR Nellore; smaller; Pulicat Lake at southern end (2nd largest brackish lagoon in India); aquaculture significant.

Deccan Plateau in AP (Rayalaseema)

• Interior plateau: Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor
• Elevation: 300-600 m; semi-arid (550-750 mm rainfall)
• Anantapur: driest district in AP (~550 mm)
• Cuddapah Basin: one of India's oldest geological formations (~1.9 billion years); crescent-shaped; rich in limestone, barytes, uranium
• Black cotton soil (Guntur-Kurnool belt) and Red soil (most of Rayalaseema)

Lakes and Water Bodies

Soil Types in AP

Three Cultural/Geographic Regions

Key Points Summary

1. AP is 8th largest state: 1,62,975 sq km; coastline 974 km (2nd longest)
2. Three physiographic zones: Coastal Plains (~35%), Eastern Ghats (~25%), Deccan Plateau (~40%)
3. Jindhagada Peak (~1,690 m) is the highest point in AP (ASR district)
4. Eastern Ghats in AP are discontinuous, broken by Godavari, Krishna, Pennar valleys
5. Nallamala Hills: Srisailam temple + India's largest Tiger Reserve
6. Seshachalam Hills: Tirumala temple + Biosphere Reserve + Red Sanders
7. Coastal AP widest at Godavari-Krishna deltas (100-130 km)
8. Coringa mangroves: 2nd largest in India (Godavari delta)
9. Kolleru: largest freshwater lake in AP (Ramsar site)
10. Pulicat: 2nd largest brackish lagoon in India (AP-TN border)
11. Cuddapah Basin: ~1.9 billion years old; rich in minerals
12. Anantapur: driest district in AP (~550 mm)
13. Rayalaseema = drought-prone, semi-arid, mineral-rich
14. Coastal Andhra = most fertile, most urban, rice bowl
15. Three cultural regions: Uttarandhra, Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema

Exam Strategy

• Hill range-district matching: Nallamala=Kurnool/Nandyal, Seshachalam=Tirupati, Ananthagiri=Vizag/Araku
• Highest peak: Jindhagada (~1,690 m) in ASR district — frequently asked
• Delta features: Godavari (Coringa mangroves), Krishna (Kolleru Lake), Pennar (Pulicat Lake)
• Comparative: Rayalaseema (dry/mineral-rich) vs Coastal Andhra (fertile/urban) vs Uttarandhra (hilly/tribal)
• Cuddapah Basin: 1.9 billion years old; limestone, barytes, uranium

Key Terms Glossary