This district derives its name from its chief town Kurnool the capital of former Nawabs, Capital of Andhra Pradesh State from 1st October 1953 to 1st November, 1956 and at present the headquarters of the district. The name Kurnool is said to have been derived form “Kandanavolu”.

Kurnool District lies between the northern latitudes of 140 54’ and 160 18’ and eastern longitudes of 760 58’ and 790 34’. The altitude of the district varies from 100 ft  above the mean sea level. This district  is bounded on the north by Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers as well as Mahabubnagar district of Telangana State, on the south by  Anantapur District on the west by the Bellary district of Karnataka State and on the east by Nandyal District. The  population with 22,71,686 People accounting for as per 2011 Population Census, while in area  with 9681 Sq. Kms.

At present Kurnool District comprises 3 Revenue Divisions, 26 Revenue Mandals 25 Mandal Parishads, One Municipal Corporation , 2 Municipalities, 1 Nagara Panchyats, 484 Gram Panchayats , 472 Revenue Villages.

PHYSIOGRAPHY:

The western tract comprises Pathikonda, Tuggali, Maddikera, Devanakonda, Gonegandla, Veldurthy, Krishnagiri, Kurnool, Orvakal, Kallur, Kodumur, C.Belagal, Gudur, Yemmiganur, Nandavaram, Mantralayam, Adoni, Peddakadubur, Kosigi, Kowthalam, Alur, Aspari, Holagunda, Halaharvi, Chippagiri Mandals. The terrain here slopes from South to North and it is drained by the river Hundri which joins the river Tungabhadra at Kurnool. The soils in the North Western traversed parts by the river Hundri are black cotton while the South Eastern parts are predominantly pure red soils.

CLIMATE :

The Climate of the district is normally good and healthy. January, February and March months are usually pleasant with moderate winds from South-East. April and May are hottest months of the year, during these months the wind shifts to Southwest with increased force and brings welcome showers by the end of May. During the succeeding four months the wind blows from Western side in Major parts of the district and brings fair quantum of rainfall. By the end of September the wind is light and pleasant forecasting the on set of Northeast monsoon. In November and December the weather is fine, Rainfall is rare and wind is light with occurrence of heavy dew. District normal rainfall of the year is 614.7 mm. During 2020-21 the rainfall received is 841.8 mm.

RIVERS :

The principal rivers flowing in the district are the Tungabhadra (and its tributary is Hundri) the Krishna and the Kunderu.

The Tungabhadra rises in the western ghats and after forming part of northern boundary for some distance seperates Kurnool from the Telangana area flown in an Eastern direction receives Hundri and falls into the Krishna river at Kudali Sangam after winding Northwards.

The Hundri, a tributary of Tungabhadra rises in the fields of Maddikera in Maddikera mandal receives a stream from Erramalas at Laddagiri in Kodumur Mandal and joins Thungabhadra at Kurnool. It drains much of Maddikera, Pathikonda Devanakonda, Gonegandla, Kodumur and Kallur mandals. This is trurbid streams with sudden raise and fall. The Kunderu also called Kumudvathi rises on the western side of Erramalas winds its way into Kunderu valley and flows in a Southern direction collecting drainage all along its course from either side. It flows through Orvakal, Midthur, Gadivemula, Nandyal, Gospadu, Koilakuntla, Dornipadu and Chagalamarri mandals and there enters Kadapa District.

FLORA FOREST AND FAUNA FOREST:

The forestic composition of the district stands in direct relation to that climate and edaphic conditions and the biotic influence in various locations.

Broadly speaking the Eastern portion of the District bears better vegetation while the the western of especially the north western portion comprising of Adoni, Peddakadubur, Alur, Aspari, Chippagiri, Halaharvi, Holagunda, Koilakuntla, Sanjamala, Owk, Pathikonda, Devanakonda, Krishnagiri, Veldurthy, Kodumur and Kallur mandals presents a desolate appearance and the vegetation that exists is confined mostly to small pockets of reserve forests.

The total area under forests is 32062 Hec. accounting for about 4.02 percent of a total geographical area of the district.

LAND AND LAND USE :

The total Geographical area of the district is 7.98 lakh Hect. During the year 2020-21 the area covered by forest is 0.32 lakh Hects. which forms 4.02% to the total geographical area. The net area sown is 5.02 lakh Hects, forming 62.97% to the total geographical area. The total cropped area in the district is 5.40 lakhs Hects. The area sown more than once during the year is 0.38 lakh Hects.

IRRIGATION :

The gross cropped area of the district is 0.98 lakh Hects are irrigated through canals, tanks, wells and other sources during 2020-21.

POWER :

The district receives its power supply from Tungabhadra and Hampi Hydro Electric Power Stations.

Srisailam Hydro-Electric Power Project is constructed across the river Krishna at a distance of 3 Kms. from famous Srisailam Temple. The total cost of Project was Rs.433 Crores. There are seven Hydro generators of 110 M.W. Capacity each and electricity produced during 2016-17 was 207.7 Millian KWH.

MINERAL RESOURCES :

Kurnool District possesses enormous deposits of lime-stone suitable for cement manufacture, apart from this, the important minerals of economic value in the district are barites, yellow shale, white shale, steatite etc.,

The annual out turn of the other minerals in the district is 5.04 lakh M.Tons durning 2020-21