Visakhapatnam (/vɪˌsɑːkəˈpʌtnəm/; formerly known as Vizagapatam,[16] and also referred to as Vizag, Visakha, and Waltair)[1][17][18] is the largest and most populous metropolitan city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

[27] Ships in Visakhapatnam were anchored at open roads and loaded with cargo transported from the shoreside using small masula boats.

[30] European powers eventually established trade operations in the city, and by the end of the 18th century it had come under French colonial rule.

The city is a major tourist destination and is known for its beaches, ancient Buddhist sites, and the natural environment of the surrounding Eastern Ghats.

Historically considered part of the Kalinga region,[31][32] it was ruled by the Vengi kingdom and the Pallava and Eastern Ganga dynasties during medieval times.

Control over the city fluctuated between the Chola dynasty of Tamil Nadu and the Gajapati Kingdom of Odisha[31][32] until its conquest by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century.

Hindu texts state that during the fifth century BCE, the Visakhapatnam region was part of Kalinga territory, which extended to the Godavari river.

Located 40 km (25 mi) south of Visakhapatnam, it is known locally as Bojjannakonda and is a significant Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh.

The Buddhist complex on the Mangamaripeta hilltop, locally known as Totlakonda, lies about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Visakhapatnam on Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Road.

These structures include the Stupa, Chaityagrihas, pillared congregation halls, bhandagaras, refectory (bhojanasala), drainage, and stone pathways.

Apart from the structures, Buddhist treasures excavated include nine Satavahana and five Roman silver coins, terracotta tiles, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels, miniature stupa models in stone, Buddha padas depicted with ashtamangala symbols (i.e. the eight auspicious symbols of Swastika, Shrivasta, Nandhyavarta, Vardhamanaka, Bhadrasana, Kalasha, Minyugala and Darpan) and early pottery.

However, from 1571 to 1674 it fell under the control and administration of the Qutb Shahi kings of Golconda who appointed a governor or Faujdar to collect taxes in the region.

Later his descendant, Maharaja Raghunath Krishna Dev defeated the Seer Lascer appointed by the Mughals and maintained his rule over the region.

Therefore, Visakhapatnam remained a part of the Kingdom of Jeypore until the death of Maharaja Ram Chandra Dev I in 1711 after which it was taken over by the Nizam of Hyderabad who could only govern it for a few decades before transferring it to the British.

[54] European merchants from France, Holland and the East India Company used the natural port to export tobacco, paddy, coal, iron ore, ivory, muslin and other textile products.

Local legend tells that an Andhra king, on his way to Benares, rested at Visakhapatnam and was so enchanted by its beauty that he ordered a temple to be built in honour of his family deity, Viśakha.

Although it no longer exists (possibly washed away about 100 years ago by a cyclonic storm), elderly residents of Visakhapatnam remember visits to the ancient shrine by their grandparents (although author Ganapatiraju Atchuta Rama Raju denies this).

On 7 May 2020, the city suffered an industrial accident when a polymer plant leaked toxic styrene gas, as it restarted operations after the Coronavirus lockdown.

[80] A cosmopolitan population of Visakhapatnam comprises Tamils,[81][82] Malayalis,[83][84] Sindhis,[85] Kannadigas,[86][87] Odias,[88] Bengalis and Bihari migrants from other regions of India.

[99][100] The city is divided into 9 zones, In a recent agglomeration of five Bheemili villages with a population of 19,000 into the GVMC jurisdiction the number of wards has increased to 98.

[103] The executive wing has departments for Engineering, Public health, revenue, town planning, horticulture, education, finance, general administration, projects, IT E-governance and Urban Community Development.

[108] The 'master plan' proposes a growth strategy with transit-oriented development strategies, expansion of satellite towns such as Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, Bheemili, etc., theme-based economic nodes along the proposed metro-rail corridor, bus-based public transport, tourism destination development, a comprehensive rural agenda and resilient city planning.

[137] There are many national and multi-national IT/ITes and fintech firms such as IBM, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Kenexa, Infotech, Miracle Software Systems, Conduent, Cyient, Paytm, Concentrix, Sutherland, HSBC, etc.

[138][139] The Brandix India Apparel City is the largest textile park in the country and holds the record for employing more than 15,000 women employees at a single location.

[146] NTPC's 2,000MW Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station is undergoing an expansion with the construction of an addition supercritical unit that will generate between 660-1,000 MW.

Most notable areas of the city include urban areas like Allipuram, Arilova, Asilmetta, Dwaraka Nagar, Gajuwaka, Gopalapatnam, Jagadamba Centre, Lawsons Bay Colony, Pendurthi, Maddilapalem, Madhurawada, MVP Colony, Rushikonda, Seethammadhara, Siripuram and semi-rural suburbs such as Anakapalle, Bheemunipatnam, Duvvada, Parawada, Kommadi and Thagarapuvalasa .

[149] Major landmarks in the city include Dolphin's Nose, lighthouse, Kailasagiri, Beach Road, VMRDA Park, Visakha Museum and Matsyadarsini (an aquarium).

Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red sand dunes) are situated between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam are one of the geo-heritage sites in the country.

Telugu is the predominantly spoken language, reflecting the city's cosmopolitan culture with a significant presence of Odia, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam speakers.

Visakhapatnam offers a blend of South Indian and Western cuisines, with popular dishes like Moori Mixture and bamboo chicken of Araku Valley.