Andhra Pradesh lies between 12o41' and 22o longitude and 77o and 84o40' latitude. It is bounded by Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the east, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the south and Maharashtra in the west. Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest state in India and it forms the major link between the north and the south of India. It is the biggest and most populous state in the south of India.
There are three main regions in Andhra Pradesh - (1) Northern Circars or coastal Andhra comprising Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Ongole and Nellore districts; (2) Rayalaseema or Ceded districts comprising Kurnool, Cuddapah, Chittoor and Anantapur districts; and (3) Telangana comprising Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad, Aadilabad, Mahbubnagar and Hyderabad districts. The Circars or Coastal districts are well developed and enjoy a greater degree of affluence than the other two regions; Rayalaseema is close to the coastal districts and here rainfall is less than in the coastal districts and drought conditions prevail sometimes, and the Telangana region is of the former princely state of Nizam's Hyderabad, which is close to Maharashtra's Marathwada region and some parts of Karnataka. In 1956 Andhra Pradesh was declared as a state. The State of Andhra Pradesh has an area of 275,045 sq. km. and a population of 76.21 million. There are 23 districts, 1128 blocks and 28123 villages. The State has population density of 277 per sq. km. (as against the national average of 312). The decadal growth rate of the state is 14.59% (against 21.54% for the country) and the population of the state is growing at a slower rate than the national rate.
This district derives its name from its chief town Kurnool the capital of former Nawabs, Capital of Andhra Pradesh State from 1st October 1953 to 1st November, 1956 and at present the headquarters of the district. The name Kurnool is said to have been derived form “Kandanavolu”.
Kurnool District lies between the northern latitudes of 140 54’ and 160 18’ and eastern longitudes of 760 58’ and 790 34’ The altitude of the district varies from 100 ft above the mean sea level. This district is bounded on the north by Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers as well as Mahabubnagar district, on the south by Kadapa and Anantapur Districts on the west by the Bellary district of Karnataka State and on the east by Prakasam District. The district ranks 10 in population with 35,29,494 People accounting for 4.63 % of the total Population of the state as per 2001 Population Census, while in area it occupies the 3rd place with 17658 Sq. Kms., which account for 6.41 % of the total area of the state.
At present Kurnool District comprises 3 Revenue Divisions, 54 Revenue Mandals 53 Mandal Parishads, One Municipal Corporation , 4 Municipalities, 898 Gram Panchayats , 928 Revenue Villages and 647 Hamlet Villages.
Nallamalas and Erramalas are the two important mountain ranges in the district running in parallel from North to South. The Erramalas divide the district into two well defined tracts from East to West. Between Erramalas and Nallamalas lies the Eastern part of the district comprises Nandikotkur, Pagidyala, Kothapalli, Pamulapadu, Atmakur, Velgodu, J.Bunglow, Midthur, BandiAtmakur, Gadivemula, Nandyal, Mahanandi, Panyam, Banaganapalli, Owk, Koilakuntla, Rudravaram and Chagalamarri Mandals. This tract is crossed by the crest of Krishna and Pennar, watershed at the North part of the Pagidyala mandal at about 1000 above the sea level. From this height the ground slopes to the South along the river Kundu till it traverses into Pennar valley. Major part of its tract is predominantly black cotton soils.
The western tract comprises Pathikonda, Tuggali, Maddikera, Devanakonda, Gonegandla, Dhone, Peapully, Veldurthy, Bethamcherla, Krishnagiri, Kurnool, Orvakal, Kallur, Kodumur, C.Belagal, Gudur, Yemmiganur, Nandavaram, Mantralayam, Adoni, Peddakadubur, Kosigi, Kowthalam, Alur, Aspari, Holagunda, Halaharvi, Chippagiri Mandals. The terrain here slopes from South to North and it is drained by the river Hundri which joins the river Tungabhadra at Kurnool. The soils in the North Western traversed parts by the river Hundri are black cotton while the South Eastern parts are predominantly pure red soils.
The Climate of the district is normally good and healthy. January, February and March months are usually pleasant with moderate winds from South-East. April and May are hottest months of the year, during these months the wind shifts to Southwest with increased force and brings welcome showers by the end of May. During the succeeding four months the wind blows from Western side in Major parts of the district and brings fair quantum of rainfall. By the end of September the wind is light and pleasant forecasting the on set of Northeast monsoon. In November and December the weather is fine, Rainfall is rare and wind is light with occurrence of heavy dew. District normal rainfall of the year is 670 mm. During 2007-08 the rainfall received is 1081.3 mm.
The principal rivers flowing in the district are the Tungabhadra (and its tributary is Hundri) the Krishna and the Kunderu.
The Tungabhadra rises in the western ghats and after forming part of northern boundary for some distance seperates Kurnool from the Telangana area flown in an Eastern direction receives Hundri and falls into the Krishna river at Kudali Sangam after winding Northwards.
The Hundri, a tributary of Tungabhadra rises in the fields of Maddikera in Maddikera mandal receives a stream from Erramalas at Laddagiri in Kodumur Mandal and joins Thungabhadra at Kurnool. It drains much of Maddikera, Pathikonda Devanakonda, Gonegandla, Kodumur and Kallur mandals. This is trurbid streams with sudden raise and fall. The Kunderu also called Kumudvathi rises on the western side of Erramalas winds its way into Kunderu valley and flows in a Southern direction collecting drainage all along its course from either side. It flows through Orvakal, Midthur, Gadivemula, Nandyal, Gospadu, Koilakuntla, Dornipadu and Chagalamarri mandals and there enters Kadapa District.
The gross cropped irrigated area of the district is 10.35 lakh Hects. of which 2.13 lakh Hects. are irrigated through canals, tanks, wells and other sources during 2007-08.
The district receives its power supply from Tungabhadra and Hampi Hydro Electric Power Stations.
Srisailam Hydro-Electric Power Project is constructed across the river Krishna at a distance of 3 Kms. from famous Srisailam Temple. The total cost of Project was Rs.433 Crores. There are seven Hydro generators of 110 M.W. Capacity each and electricity produced during 2007-08 was 2190.182 Million KWH.