Visakhapatnam

Weather: 34 °C, Wind S at 19 km/h, 68% Humidity

Population: 20.4 lakhs (2011)

Visakhapatnam is a port city and industrial center in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, on the Bay of Bengal. It's known for its many beaches, including Ramakrishna Beach, home to a preserved submarine at the Kursura Submarine Museum. Nearby are the elaborate Kali Temple and the Visakha Museum, an old Dutch bungalow housing local maritime and historical exhibits.

Palm-lined Yarada Beach lies to the south, while sandy Rushikonda Beach is to the north. Connected to the seafront by a cable car, Kailasagiri Hill offers panoramic views of the city and the Dolphin's Nose headland, plus rides on a mini train encircling the summit. The peak is topped by a giant Shiva Parvati statue. Outside the city center are the Simhachalam Temple, a 11th-century Hindu shrine, plus the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. Near the quiet beach of Bheemunipatnam are a ruined Dutch fort and cemetery. Farther northwest are the Borra Caves, a limestone labyrinth in the Eastern Ghats mountains, and the Katika Waterfalls.

Visakhapatnam is a port city in Eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh. Popularly called as Vizag or Vizagapatnam. It handles bulk of Indian export to different parts of world. It is major commercial and industrial center and has many beautiful places which attracts tourists from various parts of the country. Visakhapatnam is also the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.

Demographics

The population is nearly 10 lakhs. The average literacy is 69%. Male literacy is 74%, and Female literacy is 63%

Climate of Visakhapatnam

Being close to the sea, Visakhapatnam has no appreciable seasonal changes. The level of humidity is high. The fluctuations in temperature are fairly uniform in character. May is the hottest month. December and January represent the coldest period of the year. Visakhapatnam receives the bulk of the rainfall from north-east monsoons.

How to reach Visakhapatnam?

Rail:

Since Visakhapatnam is a major Industrial center it is well connected by rail routes with other parts of India. The major trains that connects visakhapatnam with other parts of India are:

• Godavari Express from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam
• Visakha Express
• Falaknuma Express
• East Coast Express
• Ratnachal Express
• Janmabhoomi Expre
• SS Coromandal Express
• Madras-Howrah Mail
• Howrah-Madras Mail

Roads:

Through state bus corporation bus service is available. Private operators also provides bus services and carry passengers to different part of the sates from and to visakhapatnam

Air:

It is connected to all the four Metropolitan cities through air route. Air India, Sahara and Air Deccan provides air services to the passengers.

Tourist Destinations

The major attraction of Visakhapatnam are beaches, caves, hills etc. The hot spot for tourists are:

Ramakrishna Beach	Rushikonda Beach	Kambalakonda Beach
Kailashgiri Hills	Borra Caves	Submarine Museums
Naval Museums

Economy

• The mainstay of Visakhapatnam's economy is heavy industries. Since there is a port therefore every major and minor industries have set up their base.
• Visakhapatnam is a major fishing port
• Apart from heavy industries there are many I.T based industries in Visakhapatnam.
• Vizag Special Economic Zone is playing major role in the expansion of industries in Visakhapatnam.

Industries

The major industries of visakhapatnam are:

• Hindustan Shipyard Limited
• NTPC
• HPCL - Oil Refinery (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited)
• Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels Ltd (BHPV)
• Hindustan Zinc Limited
• Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)
• Coramandel Fertilizers
• Rain Calcining Limited
• Essar Pelletization Plant