Andhra Pradesh, situated on India's southeastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, is the seventh-largest state by area (approximately 162,970 sq. km). It boasts the second-longest coastline among Indian states at around 974–1,053 km (second only to Gujarat, though recent surveys indicate it ranks third after Tamil Nadu in some updated measurements).
The state is renowned globally for its rich variety of rocks and minerals, earning the nickname "Ratna Garbha" (meaning "womb of gems" or "treasure trove of jewels"). Key minerals include crude oil, natural gas, barites, bauxite, asbestos, copper ore, manganese, mica, coal, black and coloured granites, and limestones.
Major rivers flowing through the state include the Godavari, Krishna, Pennar (Penna), Nagavali, and Vamsadhara, which support fertile deltas and irrigation.
Kuchipudi, one of India's eight classical dance forms, originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Krishna district. It was systematized in the 15th–17th centuries by Siddhendra Yogi (also known as Siddhendra Yogi of Muvva), who refined the dance-drama tradition rooted in Vaishnavism and Krishna-oriented themes.
The modern state was formed on November 1, 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act, by merging Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking regions of the former Hyderabad State. Following the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the state was bifurcated on June 2, 2014, creating Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh.
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, with rice as the major food crop, contributing about 77% of food grain production. Other important crops include jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, pulses, castor, tobacco, cotton, and sugarcane.
Forests cover approximately 18–23% of the state's geographical area (around 29,784–30,085 sq km as per recent reports), featuring important products such as teak, eucalyptus, cashew, casuarina, bamboo, and softwood.
Andhra Pradesh blends ancient heritage with natural beauty and economic vitality, known for its fertile lands, classical arts, and mineral wealth.