Coastal States of India
The coastal states of India, or the coastline, play a major role and are simultaneously important for the country’s economy. It also presents a splendid blend of landscapes and cultures. It is long and runs approximately 7516 kilometers (7,516.60 kilometers exactly), consisting of 2184.1 kilometers of island territories and 5332.5 kilometers of mainland coastline. The coastline of India runs along the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east.
In this article, we will discuss the List of Coastal States of India and their Impacts on our Economy. Continue reading to find out more.
Table of Content
- List of Coastal States of India
- Coastal Lengths of the States and Union Territories of India
- Features of Major Coastal States in India
- Geomorphology of Coastal Region of India
- Difference Between Eastern Coastal States of India and Western Coastal States of India
List of Coastal States of India
There are nine coastal states and four coastal union territories in India. Above we have mentioned the list of coastal states of India.
Coastal States in India |
Coastal Union Territories in India |
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Coastal Lengths of the States and Union Territories of India
The coastal states of India are becoming more important due to a growing population, increased urbanization, and rapid development. Here, we have listed the 13 major coastal states and union territories with their Indian coastline length (in kilometers).
Coastal States of India: State-Wise
In this table, you can see nine Indian coastal states with their coastline lengths. Gujrat holds the honor of being the longest coastline state in India, and Goa has the shortest one.
Indian State Name |
Indian Coastline Length (in kilometers) |
---|---|
Gujarat |
1214.7 |
Andhra Pradesh |
973.7 |
Tamil Nadu |
906.9 |
Maharashtra |
652.6 |
Kerala |
569.7 |
Odisha |
476.4 |
Karnataka |
280 |
West Bengal |
157.5 |
Goa |
101 |
Total – 5332.5 |
Coastal States of India – Union Territory Wise
The table mentioned below will explain to you the coastline length of India as per Union Territories. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the longest coastline, and Daman and Diu have the shortest.
Union Territory Name |
Indian Coastline Length (in kilometers) |
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
1962 |
Lakshadweep |
132 |
Puducherry |
47.6 |
Daman & Diu |
42.5 |
Total – 2184.1 |
Features of Major Coastal States in India
In these tables below, we will explore the distinctive features of the major coastal states of India. To understand the features of these coastal states in a better way, we will divide them into two subparts.
Eastern Coastal States of India
The Eastern Coastal Plains of India stretch from West Bengal in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south and pass through the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It is wider and flatter than the Western Coastal Plains.
West Bengal |
Mojor Ports: Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (India’s First Oldest Port), Digha |
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Odisha |
Major Port: Paradip Port |
Andhra Pradesh |
Major Ports: Bhavanapadu, Kakinada Port, Nakkapalli, Meghavaram, S Yanam – Rawa, Kalingapatnam, Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Bheemunipatnam, Narsapur, Gangavaram, Kakinada SEZ, Vodarevu and Krishnapatnam. |
Tamil Nadu |
Major Ports: Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port and Ennore Port |
Western Coastal States of India
The western coastal plains of India extend from the State of Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south direction. The coastal plains also cover the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka in it. Let us discuss this in detail.
Gujarat |
Major Ports: Kandla, Mundra, Navlakhi, Magdalla, Pipavav, Porbandar |
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Maharashtra |
Major Ports: Jawahar Lal Nehru Port (JNPA) and Mumbai Port (India’s second oldest port) |
Goa |
Major Port: Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) |
Karnataka |
Major Ports: New Mangalore Port |
Kerala |
Major Ports: Azheekal, Beypore, Ponnani, Alappuzha and Kollam. |
Geomorphology of Coastal Region of India
The geomorphology of the coastal region of India is diverse and influenced by a combination of many factors, as mentioned below.
- The East Coast region spreads from Kanyakumari to the Sunderbans. It is wider than the West Coast.
- The East Coast is comparatively sandy, alluvial, and has a gentle slope. It also features sand dunes, marshy areas, and lagoons.
- The West Coast runs from Rann of Kutch to Kanyakumari. It is a narrow strip present between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats.
- The West Coast is rocky with sand.
- The eastern coast has large deltas from rivers with abundant sediment.
- The western coast has estuaries due to rapid river flow.
Physiography of Indian Coastline (Mainland) |
|
Sandy Beach |
43% |
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Muddy Flats |
36% |
Rocky Coast |
11% |
Marshy Coast |
10% |
Coastline affected caused by erosion |
1624.435 KM (Mainland) |
Coastal States and UTs Population |
560 M |
Coastal Delta Information |
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Length of Coastline |
7516 kilometers (7,516.60 kilometes exactly) |
Total Land Area |
3,287,263 km2 |
Continental shelf Area |
372,424 km2 |
The territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles ahead from the coastline |
193,834 km2 |
Difference Between Eastern Coastal States of India and Western Coastal States of India
Now we will discuss what are the main differences between Eastern Coastal States of India and Western Coastal States of India.
Eastern Coastal States of India |
Western Coastal States of India |
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Starches along the Bay of Bengal. |
Starches along the Arabian Sea. |
Longer coastline with broader plains. |
Shorter coastline and narrower than eastern plains. |
Major rivers are Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi. |
Major rivers are Narmada, Tapti, Mandovi, Zuari, Godavari. |
Prominent deltas. |
Less prominent deltas. |
Bay of Bengal influence the climate here. |
Arabian Sea and Western Ghats regulates the climate here. |
Biodivesity includes sundarbans mangrove forest, diverse flora and fauna. |
Biodivesity includes Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, diverse ecosystems. |
Agriculture, fisheries, industries are major economic activities. |
Agriculture, fisheries, industries, tourism are the major economic backbone. |
Conclusion
India boasts a 7516-kilometer-long coastline running along the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Bay of Bengal. In India, there are 13 coastal states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh, excluding four union territories. In the above article, we have provided complete information about these coastal states in depth.
FAQs on Coastal States of India
Which state has the longest coastline in India?
The state of Gujarat has the longest coastline in India.
What is the overall extent of India’s coastline in terms of its total length?
India has a total coastline of approximately 7,516 kilometers.
What factors contribute to cyclones in coastal areas of India?
The warm oceanic waters, especially in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, provide the necessary heat and moisture for cyclonic formations.
Which state of India has the shortest coastline?
Among the states, the state of Goa has the shortest coastline in India.