In the previous article - Andhra Pradesh :: Part II ( Kings & Kingdoms ), we have read about Kings and Kingdoms that ruled the region, now let us have a brief look on the state's geography.
Andhra Pradesh is a state with diverse topographical features. Its geography is hugely a result of discontinuous tracts of Easter Ghats and several rivers flowing through its territory. Krishna, Godavari, Thungabhadra, and Penna are important the river systems. Plains to the east of Easter Ghats are Easter Coastal Planes.
Unlike the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats are highly discontinuous, with each section having its unique local name. One such arching branch of eastern ghats gives rise to the mineral-rich region of Kadapa basin.
Nallamalla Hills is a section of eastern ghats covering the districts of Kurnool, Nellore, Guntur, Prakasam, Kadapa, and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. Mahaboob Nagar and Nalgonda in Telangana. They lie between Krishna and Kaveri rivers. The rocks of these hills are one of the oldest rock systems in the world formed due to volcanic activities millions of years ago. Because of these rocks, rainwater could not get percolated to the underground thus giving rise to a number of streams/rivers. Gundalakamma is largest such stream emerging out of these hills. Kurnool and Nandyala are the largest towns and most of the places have a sparse distribution of the tribal population(Chencus). Mahanadi, Srisailam, Mallelateertham, Ahobilam are the spots worth visiting.
The Eastern Ghats cover huge tracts in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala. The Eastern Ghats contribute to the dense tropical forests of Andhra Pradesh giving way to the shrubs in the Deccan Plateau. Andhra Pradesh has the forest cover of 22,862 Sq.km.
In terms of height, Eastern Ghats are comparatively shorter and older than the Western Ghats. Southernmost tracts in Tamil Nadu are Sirumalai Hills & Karanthamalai Hills. other tracts of TN are Kollimalai Hills, Pachaimalai Hills, Sheveroy Hills, Kalrayan hills, Chitteri Hills, Javadhu hills, Palamalai Hills, Mettur Hills. Yercaud hill station is in Sheveroy hills.
Names of some tracts in Andhra Pradesh include - Vellikonda Range near Nellore district, Sheshachalam Hills, Tirumala Hills are the part of Vellikonda and Sheshachalam Hills, hill ranges around Vijayawada are Kondapalli Hills. Papi Kondalu are the part of the Eastern Ghats on the banks of Godavari.
The highest peak of Eastern Ghats is Deomali in Odisha in Koraput District. Simplipal is the northernmost extension of the Eastern Ghats, known for its Simlipal Tiger Reserve.
In the next article, we shall have a look at some of the important Wildlife Sanctuaries and Bird Sanctuaries of the state.