State (pop., 2001 prelim.: 75,727,541), southeastern India.
Located on the Bay of Bengal , it is bordered by Tamil Nadu , Karnataka , Maharashtra , Chhattisgarh , and Orissa states. Covering 106,204 sq mi (275,068 sq km), it was formed in 1953 from part of Hyderabad . Its name derives from the Telugu-speaking Andhra people, who have long inhabited the area. Many dynasties have flourished here, dating back to the 3rd century BC. The area came under British influence in the 17th century; in the 19th century the Andhras played a decisive role in the rise of Indian nationalism. The state's economy is primarily agricultural.