Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is a district of Andhra Pradesh, a state of India. It lies between 17° 15' and 18°32' Northern latitude and 18° 54' and 83° 30' in Eastern longitude. It is bounded on the North partly by the Orissa State and partly by Vizianagaram District, on the South by East Godavari District, on the West by Orissa State and on the East by Bay of Bengal.

The name Visakhapatnam, tradition has it that some centuries ago a King of Andhra Dynasty encamped here on his piligrimage to Banaras, and being pleased with the place, built a shrine in honour of his family deity called Visakeswara to the South of the Lawsons Bay from which the district has derived its name as Visakheswarapuram which subsequently changed to Visakhapatnam.

The district has a population of 4,288,113 as per census 2011. Geographical area of the District is 11161 sq km. It is divided into 3 Revenue Divisions and 43 Mandals.

The district was originally a part of Kalinga Kingdom subsequently conquered by the Eastern Chalukyas in the 7th Century, A.D. who ruled over it with their Head Quarters at Vengi. This District was also under the occupation of various rulers such as the Reddy Rajahs of Kondaveedu, the Gajapathis of Orissa, the Nawabs of Golkonda and the Moghal Emperor Aurangazeb through a Subedar. This territory passed on to French occupation in view of succession dispute among Andhra Kings and finally it came under the British Reign. There were no geographical graftings till 1936 in which year, consequent on the formation of Orissa State the Taluks namely Bissiom, Cuttack, Jayapore, Koraput, Malkanagiri, Naurangapur, Pottangi and Ryagada in their entirety and parts of Gunpur, Paduva and Parvathipur Taluks were transferred to Orissa State. The Visakhapatnam District was reconstituted with the remaining area and residuary portions of Ganjam District namely Sompeta, Tekkali and Srikakulam Taluks in entirety and portion of Parlakimidi, Ichchapuram, Berahmpur retained in Madras presidency. With the passage of time, the reconstituted District was found administratively unwieldy and therefore it was bifurcated into Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts in the year 1950. The residuary district of Visakhapatnam was further bifurcated and the Taluks of Vizianagaram, Gajapathinagaram, Srungavarapukota and portion of Bheemunipatnam Taluk were transferred to the newly created Vizianagaram District in the year 1979.

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation

139 Bhimili Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Anandapuram, Padmanabham, Bheemunipatnam and Visakhapatnam Rural Mandals.
140 Visakhapatnam East Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Visakhapatnam (Urban) Mandal (Part) Visakhapatnam (M Corp.) - Ward No.1 to 11 and 53 to 55.
141 Visakhapatnam South Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Visakhapatnam (Urban) Mandal (Part) Visakhapatnam (M Corp.) - Ward No.12 to 34, 42 to 43 and 46 to 48.
142 Visakhapatnam North Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Visakhapatnam (Urban) Mandal (Part) Visakhapatnam (M Corp.) - Ward No.36 to 41, 44 to 45 and 49 to 52.
143 Visakhapatnam West Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Visakhapatnam (Urban) Mandal (Part) Visakhapatnam (M Corp.) - Ward No.35 and 56 to 71.
144 Gajuwaka Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Gajuwaka Mandal.
145 Chodavaram Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Chodavaram, Butchayyapeta, Ravikamatham and Rolugunta Mandals.
146 Madugula Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Madugula, Cheedikada, Devarapalle and K. Kotapadu Mandals.
147 Araku Valley Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Munchingiputtu, Pedabayalu, Dumbriguda, Araku Valley, Hukumpeta and Ananthagiri Mandals.
148 Paderu Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Paderu, G.Madugula, Chintapalle, Gudem Kotha Veedhi and Koyyuru Mandals.
149 Anakapalle Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Kasimkota and Anakapalle Mandals.
150 Pendurthi Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Pedagantyada, Paravada, Sabbavaram and Pendurthi Mandals.
151 Yelamanchili Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Rambilli, Munagapaka, Atchutapuram and Yelamanchili Mandals.
152 Payakaraopet Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - Kotauratla, Nakkapalle, Payakaraopeta and S. Rayavaram Mandals.
153 Narsipatnam Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Nathavaram, Golugonda, Narsipatnam and Makavarapalem Mandals.