The villages of Ananthasagaram and Bukkarayasamudram were constructed by Chikkappa Wadeyar, the minister of Bukka Raya I.

Some authorities assert that Anaantasagaram was named after Ananthamma, wife of Bukka Raya I, one of the founders of the Vijayanagar empire.

[8] Revenue mandals of Kadiri, Mudigubba, Nallamada, N.P.Kunta, Talupula, Nallacheruvu, O.D.Cheruvu, Tanakal, Amadagur and Gandlapenta (previous Kadiri Taluk) from erstwhile YSR Kadapa District were added in the year 1910.

In the year 1956, the revenue mandals of Rayadurg, D.Hirehal, Kanekal, Bommanahal and Gummagatta of Bellary District were added, with the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

As of 2011[update] census of India, it was the largest district in the state by area and had a population of 2,241,105.

[12] It is one of the largest districts of Andhra Pradesh spanning an area of 10,205 square kilometres (3,940 sq mi).

[16] The district is divided into 3 revenue divisions: Anantapuramu, Guntakal and Kalyandurg, which are further subdivided into a total of 32 mandals, each headed by a sub-collector.

The district receives very less rainfall due to its location in the rain shadow area of Indian Peninsula.

Prominent crops include groundnut, sunflower, rice, cotton, maize, chillies, sesame, sugarcane and Silk [18][19] Industries Industries like Constructions, Manufactures and Electricity are major contributors for GVA.

[12] Minerals Gold, Diamonds, Limestone, Iron ore, Quartz, Asbestos, Dolomite, Barytes, Steatite, Granite, Clay, Share are found in the district.

[21][22] Tadipatri region in Anantapur is an industrialised town famous for Granite and Cement production.

[24] Some of the institutions include Sri Krishnadevaraya University, JNTU Ananthapur, Sri Sathya Sai University, Government Medical College, Government polytechnic anantapur, Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute of Technology, Government Polytechnic Hindupur, Gates Institute of Technology, Central University of Andhra Pradesh, Gooty Fort is a historical fort on a hill dating to 11th century.

[25] Neelam Sanjiva Reddy born in Illur village, Garladinne mandal, rose to became President of India after serving in other roles such as Lok sabha speaker, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and central minister.