Preface

Andhra Pradesh, the land which hosted a variety of cultures, religions and traditions for thousands of years, continues to embrace all even today.

With a history dating back to a pre- Aryan era, Andhra Desa, as it was known for centuries nurtured Vedic philosophy and encouraged Jainism and Buddhism over two thousands years ago.

This tradition continues with people belonging to various Faiths, religions and castes coming together to make one vibrant State Andhra Pradesh

This is the land that gave the such forms of art as Kalamkari, dance such as Kuchipudi, toys such as Kondapalli and diamonds such as the Kohinoor . From the ancient to the modern, from an old culture to a new civilizations, the State has them all. People from all parts of the country and even from from across the shores have made Andhra Pradesh their world.

The thriving cities, nature’s bounty in the form of a 1000-Km coastline, forest cover, verdant hills and valleys and flora and fauna coupled with the legacy handed down the centuries by far-sighted rulers have made Andhra Pradesh a unique State.

Telugu rulers had the seas as boundaries in the penisula and lorded over area that are in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat today. They thus set the pace for a fusion of cultures and acceptance of different religious faiths. They built structures for posterity and created a culture ready to accept anything new.

The State an its people continue to accept anything new and strive to make things better. The Government of Andhra Pradesh too follows this tradition. Effort have been made to enchance the beauty and maintain what nature has given the State.

The golden beaches along the Bay of Bengal on the East Coast, the hill resorts like Horsley Hills, Araku Valley and Anantagiri Hills, the handlooms, sarees, toys and decorative metalware-each has its own enchanment that is kept alive by a patronising people and government.

Modern shopping malls compete with heritage structures in most towns and cities throughout the State. Hyderabad , the ultramodern capital of Andhra Pradesh, bears testimony to this, On the one hand it has Golconda, Fort and Charminar, built when the new city was founded over 400 years ago, and  on the other, the modern Hitec City in the midst of Cyderabd

The People of the State are extremely hospitable and this hospitality extends to the tourism deparment  which is striving to make Andhra Pradesh an International Tourist Destination.

A number of Buddhist sites, the enchanting hills, the Qutb Shahi tombs, sports of natural splendour and the simplicity of its people make Andhra Pradesh an unforgettable experience.

In this booklet, Andhra Pradesh Tourism, gives a glimpse of what the State has to offer to tourist, More attractions being added for a memorable holiday for every tourist.

Andhra Pradesh – Facts at a glance

Area                                       257,068 sq.Km.

Coastline                               1,000 Km.

Location / East  Bay of Bengal  Boundaries  West            Karnataka

 North                                  Maharashtra,   Chhattisgarh & Orrisa

                            

South                                   Tamilnadu

Population                          75.7 million (Census 2001 )

Density                              Approx.275 per sq km.

Languages Spoken. :        Telugu , Hindi ,English and Urdu,

Climate                              March- May         20C – 41 C

                                             (Summer)

           

                                          June- October     Hot to sultry, Monsson

                                              (Moonsoon)     sets in from early june

  

                                          November- Febuary ( Winter) 13 C – 32 C