Prakasm is the administrative district of Andhra Pradesh. It is located towards the south-eastern part of Andhra Pradesh. The district headquarter is Ongole. The district has been named after the Andhra patriot Prakasam Panthulu. The Ongole district was formed in February 1970 and later in 1972 it was renamed as Prakasam.
The history of the district dates back to the Maurya Dynasty in 250 BC. Soon after the Mauryas, the Satvahana Kings took up the reign of the region. Prakasm had also undergone the influence of Buddhism in the early ages. After Buddhism it was followed by the rule of Ishkvakus, the Vijayngar kings, the Qutub Sahi Dynasty and the Mughals. As a result the culture of Prakasam district has been influenced by different styles and ways of living.
Geography of Prakasm District
Prakasam occupies an area of 17,626 km². Towards the east of Prakasm lies the Bay of Bengal, Cuddapah and Nellore lies towards the south of Prakasam, Prakasam is bounded by Kurnool in the west and Guntur in the north. The coastline of the district is as long as 105 kilometers.
Demography of Prakasm District
As far as the demography of the district is concerned, it has a population of 3054.94 thousands according to the census of 2001. Density of population in Prakasam district is 173 persons per square kilometer and the decadal growth of population in the district is 10.72 percent. Only a very few people of Prakasam district comprises the urban population. The literacy rate in the district is 57.86 percent. There is more number of males than females in the district.
Economy in Prakasam District
The economy of the district mostly depends on agriculture. The main crops that are grown in the region are Rice, Jowar, Turmeric, Maize, Arhar, Cotton, Sugar Cane, Sesame and Chillies. Besides agriculture there are also some flourishing industries in the district, they are seed processing and food processing units, beer and beverages, plantation and floriculture, tobacco, cotton yarn and cotton fabrics, agro business, wool, silk and man-made fiber, drugs and pharmaceuticals, paper, plastic, chemical and rubber.
Apart from these industries in the district which adds to the economy, the fishing industry in the district is well improved because Prakasam has a long coast line.
Tourism in Srikakulam District
Prakasm District has some tourist places as well. The places which are of religious importance in the district are Singarayakonda Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Ongole Chennakesava temple, Bhairavakonda, Malakonda temples, Sri Hanuman Devasthanam at Addanki, Markapur Laxmi Chennakesava Swamy temple, Kasi Visweswara temple, Manikeswaram and temples at Tripurantakam.
The other places of tourist importance in the district are Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam sanctuary, Vodarevu, Gundla Brahmeswaram Sanctuary, Mothupalle and ILTD Company.
