Geography of Andhra Pradesh

Historically the region comprising the state was known as Andhraapatha, Andhradesa, Andhraavani, and Andhra vishaya.

Climate

The climate of Andhra Pradesh is generally hot and humid in the lowland coastal regions, while it is mostly semi-arid in parts of Anantapur district, Sri Sathya Sai district, Kurnool district and Kadapa district. These areas fall under the rainshadow region of the Western Ghats. The summer season in this state generally extends from March to May or June. During these months the moisture level is relatively higher than in winters, and it is generally higher in the coastal lowlands.

The summer is followed by the monsoon season, which starts in May or June and continues till October. This is the season for heavy tropical rains in Andhra Pradesh. The major role in determining the climate of the state is played by southwest monsoon. About one third of the total rainfall in Andhra Pradesh is brought by the northeast monsoons around the month of October. The lowest rainfall occurs in Anantapur district, at 311 mm per year, while the highest occurs in Alluri Sitharama Raju district at 738 mm.

The winters in Andhra Pradesh are cooler, and this is when the state attracts most of its tourists. October to February are the winter months in Andhra Pradesh. Since the state has quite a long coastline, the winters are comparatively mild. The temperature in winter ranges from around 13 °C to 30 °C in coastal areas and from about 15 °C to 36 °C in the rainshadow. There is a long mountain pass in the Eastern Ghats between the dry deciduous forests of the Seshachalam hills as far north as the Nallamala Hills, spanning a distance of over 300 kilometres. The mountain pass consists of major towns, including Venkatagiri, Badvel, Porumamilla, Giddalur and Markapur. It is only about 15 kilometres wide, and divides the Deccan Plateau from the lowlands.