Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh, state in southern India, bordered on the south by Tamil Nadu state, on the west by Karnataka state, on the north and northwest by Maharashtra state, on the northeast by Chhattisgarh and Orissa states, and on the east by the Bay of Bengal.

Many dynasties ruled in the area, dating back to the 3rd century BC, and Buddhism flourished there. Rulers during the 12th and 13th centuries expanded Andhra power, which reached its peak in the 16th century. The Andhras came under British influence in the 17th century.

Agriculture is the most important of Andhra Pradesh's economy. About 70 percent of the population works in agriculture, and the state is one of India's main rice-producing areas. Other important crops are sugarcane, oilseeds, beans, and pulses . Important mineral deposits, including coal, natural gas, asbestos, barites, copper, mica, and iron ore

Major industrial towns are Bidar, Vijayawada, Raichur, Kurnool, Bellary and Hyderabad.

Area 106,204 square miles (275,068 square km). Population: (1991) 66,508,008.