{{About|a city in Coastal Andhra|the ruined city in Hampi|Vijayanagara|other uses|Vijaynagar (disambiguation){{!}}Vijaynagar}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Vizianagaram | other_name = Vijayanagaram | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = Vizianagaram Montage.png | image_alt = | image_caption = Clockwise from Top Left: Clock Tower (Ganta stambham), Vizianagaram Fort Balcony, View of Vizianagaram Town, Writings of the great writer Gurajada Apparao, Vizianagaram Fort Walls, Replica of a steam engine at Vizianagaram railway station | etymology = | nickname = Vizianagaram | pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India | pushpin_label = <!-- only necessary if "name" or "official_name" are too long --> | pushpin_label_position = right | coordinates = {{coord| 18.1159|N| 83.406|E|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref>tags --> | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Andhra Pradesh | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Vizianagaram | established_title = <!-- Founded --> | established_date = <!-- requires established_title= --> | established_title1 = Incorporated (Municipality) | established_date1 = 1888 | established_title2 = Incorporated (Corporation) | established_date2 = | founder = Vijayaram Raj | named_for = | parts_type = Wards | parts = 50 | government_footnotes = | government_type = Mayor–Council | governing_body = Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority | leader_party = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = | leader_title1 = MLA | leader_name1 = Aditi Vijaya Lakshmi Gajapathi Raju | leader_title2 = MP | leader_name2 = Appalanaidu Kalisetti | leader_title3 = Municipal commissioner | leader_name3 = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Basic Information of Municipality|url=http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/Basic_information_Municipality.html|website=Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration|publisher=Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=5 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810145501/http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/Basic_information_Municipality.html|archive-date=10 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 29.27 | area_metro_footnotes = <ref name="census">{{cite web |title=District Census Hand Book : Vizianagaram (Part B) |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2812_PART_B_DCHB_VIZIANAGARAM.pdf |website=Census of India |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh |access-date=10 June 2019 |pages=16, 48 |format=PDF |date=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829010743/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2812_PART_B_DCHB_VIZIANAGARAM.pdf |archive-date=29 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | area_metro_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = <ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Statistical Abstract of Andhra Pradesh, 2015 |url=https://desap.cgg.gov.in/jsp/website/gallery/Statistical%20Abstract%202015.pdf |website=Directorate of Economics & Statistics |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=27 April 2019 |pages=44 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714020914/https://desap.cgg.gov.in/jsp/website/gallery/Statistical%20Abstract%202015.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | population_total = 228025 | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = | population_rank = 13th <small>(in AP)</small> | population_density_km2 = | population_metro_footnotes = | population_metro = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_demonym = | population_note = | demographics_type1 = Literacy | demographics1_title1 = Literates | demographics1_info1 = | demographics1_title2 = Literacy rate | demographics1_info2 = | demographics_type2 = Languages | demographics2_title1 = Official | demographics2_info1 = Telugu | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 535001 - 535006 | area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) --> | area_code = +91–8922 | registration_plate_type = Vehicle Registration | registration_plate = AP35 (Former)<br /> AP39 (from 30 January 2019)<ref>{{cite news |title=New 'AP 39' code to register vehicles in Andhra Pradesh launched |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2019/jan/31/new-ap-39-code-to-register-vehicles-in-state-launched-1932417.html |access-date=9 June 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=31 January 2019 |location=Vijayawada |archive-date=28 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728113337/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2019/jan/31/new-ap-39-code-to-register-vehicles-in-state-launched-1932417.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | website = https://vizianagaram.ap.gov.in/public-utility-category/municipality/ | footnotes = | official_name = Vizianagaram }}
'''Vizianagaram''', also known as '''Vijayanagaram''', is a city and the headquarters of the Vizianagaram district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.<ref name="map">{{cite web |title=District Census Hand Book : Vizianagaram (Part A) |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2812_PART_A_DCHB_VIZIANAGARAM.pdf |website=Census of India |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh |access-date=10 June 2019 |pages=11,992–993 |format=PDF |date=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114033243/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2812_PART_A_DCHB_VIZIANAGARAM.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is located in the Eastern Ghats, about {{cvt|24|km}} west of the Bay of Bengal and {{cvt|40|km}} north-northeast of Visakhapatnam. The city has a population of 228,025 and was established as the capital of the Vizianagaram estate by Raja Vijayaram Raj from the Pusapati dynasty. The rulers had a notable role in the history of the region in the 18th century and were patrons of education and arts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Vizianagaram|title=Vizianagaram {{!}} India|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127195902/https://www.britannica.com/place/Vizianagaram|archive-date=27 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:West Entrance of the Vizianagaram fort in Andhra Pradesh.jpg|thumb|West Entrance of the Vizianagaram fort in Andhra Pradesh]]
== History == [[File:Vijayanagaram.JPG|thumb|Coat of arms of the Vizianagaram kingdom]]
Excavations at this town revealed copper coins belonging to the remains of 900 B.C. (Kalinga period).<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Vizianagaram Municipality |url=http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/ |publisher=Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810142240/http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/ |archive-date=10 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Vizianagaram Princely State was ruled by Pusapati Kings & Gajapati Maharajas. Maharaja Vijayarama Gajapati Raju was a notable King. They are Suryavanshi Kshatriyas. Their ancestors are Udaipur Maharanas. Buddhist and Jain remains were excavated around hills near Ramateertham village.
== Demographics == As of the 2011 Census of India, the town had a population of 227,533. The total population constituted 111,596 males and 115,937 females—a sex ratio of 1,039 females per 1,000 males, higher than the national average of 940 per 1,000.<ref name=population>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/india-andhrapradesh.php|title=Andhra Pradesh (India): Districts, Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards – Population Statistics in Maps and Charts|work=citypopulation.de|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724215047/http://www.citypopulation.de/php/india-andhrapradesh.php|archive-date=24 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sex Ratio|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/indiaatglance.html|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|access-date=2 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922103426/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/indiaatglance.html|archive-date=22 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 20,487 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 10,495 are boys and 9,992 are girls. The average literacy rate stood at 81.85% with 169,461 literates, significantly higher than the national average of 73.00%.<ref name=population /><ref>{{cite web|title=Chapter–3 (Literates and Literacy rate)|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/PCA_Highlights/pca_highlights_file/India/Chapter-3.pdf|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India|access-date=2 September 2014|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113231419/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/PCA_Highlights/pca_highlights_file/India/Chapter-3.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Governance == {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=250|frame-height=180|type=shape|id=Q24945948|text=Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation}} === Civic administration === The Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation is the civic body of the city, constituted as a municipality in 1888<ref name="ulb">{{cite web |title=Statistical Information of ULBs and UDAs |url=http://www.dtcp.ap.gov.in/dtcpweb/ulbs/List%20of%20ULBs-27-2-2019.pdf |website=Directorate of Town and Country Planning |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=10 June 2019 |page=1 |format=PDF |date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717151418/http://dtcp.ap.gov.in/dtcpweb/ulbs/List%20of%20ULBs-27-2-2019.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> before being upgraded to corporation on 9 December 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Masula, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram upgraded into corporations|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/masula-srikakulam-vizianagaram-upgraded-into-corporations/article7967915.ece|access-date=10 December 2015|work=The Hindu|date=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409032222/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/vijayawada/masula-srikakulam-vizianagaram-upgraded-into-corporations/article7967915.ece|archive-date=9 April 2016|location=Vijayawada}}</ref> The jurisdictional area of the corporation is spread over {{convert|29.27|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} with 38 election wards.<ref name="ulb" /> During 2010–11, the municipality spent {{INRConvert|1887.75|c|abbr=on}} and generated {{INRConvert|2367.51|c|abbr=on}}.<ref name="basic info">{{cite web|title=Basic Information of Municipality|url=http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/Basic_information_Municipality.html|website=Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration|publisher=Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810145501/http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/Basic_information_Municipality.html|archive-date=10 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Utility services === [[File:SH 26 in Vizianagaram.jpg|thumb|SH-26 towards Visakhapatnam in Vizianagaram]] Utility services include a water supply, sewer connections, drainage systems, parks, grounds, community centres, and healthcare. The municipality maintains 458 public taps, 749 bore–wells, {{convert|330|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads, {{convert|243.25|km|mi|abbr=on}} of drains, 32 parks, 2 playgrounds, 49 elementary and 3 secondary schools and 1 maternity and child health centre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public services/amenities|url=http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/Public%20services_amenities.html|website=Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration|publisher=Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202102522/http://cdma.ap.gov.in/VIZIANAGARAM/Public%20services_amenities.html|archive-date=2 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Transport == thumb|Signature Bridge thumb|Vizianagaram Railway Station{{Further|Transport in Vizianagaram}}
=== Roadways === The city has a total road length of 317.80 km.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp|title=DETAILS OF ROADS IN EACH ULB OF ANDHRA PRADESH|access-date=28 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801101300/http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp|archive-date=1 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates bus services from Vizianagaram bus station.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bus Stations in Districts |url=http://www.apsrtc.gov.in/Bus%20Stations.aspx |website=Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation |access-date=9 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322233330/http://apsrtc.gov.in/Bus%20Stations.aspx |archive-date=22 March 2016 }}</ref>
=== Railways === There is a Railway Station in the city, called Vijayanagaram Junction Railway Station, Code : '''VZM''', in the division of [https://eastcoastrail.indianrailways.gov.in/ East Coast Railways], giving it immediate access to several other parts of the state.<ref>https://indianrailways.gov.in/, Official Website of Indian Railways, Retrieved 28 August 2023</ref>
== Education == The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools of the ''School Education Department'' of the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=School Education Department |url=http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |publisher=School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=7 November 2016 |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319051231/http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal {{!}} AP State Portal |url=http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |website=www.ap.gov.in |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155331/http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |archive-date= 7 November 2016 }}</ref>
Vizianagaram has educational institutions, including: * Maharajah's College * Maharajah's Government College of Music and Dance * Maharajah's Government Sanskrit College * Maharajah Institute of Medical Sciences * Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University - Gurajada, Vizianagaram * MVGR College of Engineering
== Culture == The Sirimanothsavam takes place every year in Vizianagaram along with the Vizianagaram Utsav at the Vizianagaram Fort.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rao |first=K. Srinivasa |date=2024-10-01 |title=Vizianagaram Utsav will highlight culture and heritage of Fort City |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/vizianagaram-utsav-will-highlight-culture-and-heritage-of-fort-city/article68704057.ece |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Geography == Vizianagaram is located at {{Coord|18.12|N|83.42|E|}}. It has an average elevation of 74 metres (242 feet). The Champavathi River flows near the city.
=== Climate === Vizianagaram has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification ''Aw'') characterised by high humidity nearly year-round, with oppressive summers and good seasonal rainfall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Vizianagaram {{!}} JNTUK |url=https://jntukucev.ac.in/know-ucev/about-vizianagaram/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |language=en-US |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528154848/https://jntukucev.ac.in/know-ucev/about-vizianagaram/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The summer season extends from March to May, followed by monsoon season, which continues to September. October and November constitute the post-monsoon or retreating monsoon season. The normal rainfall of the district for the year is 1,131.0 mm, as compared to the actual rainfall of 740.6 mm received during 2002–2003. The district gets the benefit of both the southwest and northeast monsoon. The season from December to February generally has fine weather.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atlas |first=Weather |title=Vizianagaram, India - Climate & Monthly weather forecast |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/vizianagaram-climate |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Weather Atlas |language=en}}</ref> {{Weather box | location = Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh | metric first = Y | single line = yes | Jan high C = 27.6 | Feb high C = 29.4 | Mar high C = 32.1 | Apr high C = 33.8 | May high C = 34.8 | Jun high C = 33.9 | Jul high C = 31.6 | Aug high C = 31.5 | Sep high C = 31.4 | Oct high C = 31.0 | Nov high C = 29.0 | Dec high C = 27.3 | Jan low C = 18.2 | Feb low C = 20.6 | Mar low C = 23.4 | Apr low C = 25.8 | May low C = 27.5 | Jun low C = 27.2 | Jul low C = 26.0 | Aug low C = 25.9 | Sep low C = 25.5 | Oct low C = 24.4 | Nov low C = 21.0 | Dec low C = 18.4 | Jan rain mm = 11 | Feb rain mm = 7 | Mar rain mm = 11 | Apr rain mm = 19 | May rain mm = 77 | Jun rain mm = 132 | Jul rain mm = 157 | Aug rain mm = 172 | Sep rain mm = 204 | Oct rain mm = 245 | Nov rain mm = 57 | Dec rain mm = 5 | rain colour = green | source 1 = Climate-Data.org<ref name= Climate-Data.org>{{cite web | url = http://en.climate-data.org/location/24297/ | title = Climate: vizianagaram | access-date = 19 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160302115328/http://en.climate-data.org/location/24297/ | archive-date = 2 March 2016 | url-status = live }}</ref> | source = | width = 60% }}Vizianagaram has been ranked 24th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 3 population under 3 lakhs cities) in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |access-date=25 September 2024 |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914164336/https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== See also == * List of cities in Andhra Pradesh by population * List of municipalities in Andhra Pradesh
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Vizianagaram}} * [http://vizianagaram.nic.in/ Vizianagaram official website]
{{Andhra Pradesh}} {{Vizianagaram district}} {{Mandal headquarters in Vizianagaram district}} {{Nobility of the Raj}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Vizianagaram Category:Cities in Andhra Pradesh Category:District headquarters of Andhra Pradesh Category:Mandal headquarters in Vizianagaram district Category:Quasi-princely estates of India Category:Towns in Vizianagaram district Category:Zamindari estates