Difference between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are two south Indian states. Both are located in the peninsular Deccan plateau, bounded by the Bay of Bengal to the east. Andhra is India’s fourth largest state by area and has the second longest coastline amongst all of the Indian states. AP’s capital is Hyderabad and the official language is Telugu. Tamil Nadu is the southernmost part of Indian peninsula and is the eleventh largest state by area. Since 500 BC it has been the home of the Tamil people with Chennai (Madras) is its capital city. TN is the most urbanized state in India and claims eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Geography
Andhra Pradesh is surrounded by Chhattisgarh and Orissa to the north, Tamil Nadu to the south and Karnataka to the west. The coastal region in Andhra is mainly delta formed by the Krishna, Godavari and Penner rivers. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has the Eastern Ghats to its north, Nilgiri and the Annamalai hills to the west, Indian Ocean to the south and Pak Strait, Gulf of Mannar to the southeast. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula and hence the meeting point of Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Economy
In comparison to its share of population, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of enterprises in India and is the fifth largest contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product. It is responsible for the third largest Indian economy in 2008 and is also the most industrialized state in India. TN holds third position on the list of states with the most Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approvals and has a network of over 100 industrial parks.
Andhra Pradesh is called the rice bowl of India and agriculture is its main source of income, however, it is rapidly growing in the fields of Information Technology and biotechnology. In terms of mineral wealth, Andhra Pradesh holds second position and accounts for one third of the total limestone reserves in the country.
Tourism
Tamil Nadu has the second largest tourism industry in India and it is growing at a rapid rate of around 16%. It is controlled by TTDC- Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. TTDC promotes tourism with a tagline Enchanting Tamil Nadu. Botanical gardens in Ooty and Hogenakal Waterfall on Kaveri River are quite famous.
Andhra Pradesh is famous for its religious sites and pilgrimages. Triumala Venkateswara Temple, Birla Mandir, Buddha Statue on Hussain Sagar Lake and Ramappa Temple are some of its most famous tourist spots.
Similarities and Differences
Andhra Pradesh
- Andhra is India’s fourth largest state by area.
- Andhra Pradesh is called the rice bowl of India and agriculture is its main source of income.
- It is famous for its religious sites and pilgrimages.
Tamil Nadu
- It is the most urbanised state in India and has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- It is the fifth largest contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product.
- Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula.
- It has a network of over 100 industrial parks.
- Tamil Nadu has second largest tourism industry in India and it is growing at a rate of 16%.
