Introduction

There are 9 States and 4 union territories taking part in the coastline border. India has a very long coastline border around 7,516.6 km touching the mainland. Gujarat has the longest coastline among all the states. The coastal environment has a very important role in a nation's economy in terms of resources, formative habitats, and prosperous biodiversity. Due to urbanization and sped-up development activities, the coastal areas are gaining incredible importance in recent years. There are 13 Major ports in India.

Nine Coastal States of India

1. Gujarat:- Gujarat has the longest coastline measuring roughly around 1214.7 km in length. Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambhat with vast Continental shelf areas and shallow beachfront.

2. Maharashtra:- Maharashtra has a bank of 652.6 km in length. It has a rocky coastal belt split by small bays with no major rivers.

3. Karnataka:- Karnataka has a straight bank of 280 km broken at multiple places by rivers, creeks, and bays.

4. Goa:- Goa has a bank of 101 km and it is a major sightseeing destination.

5. Kerala:- Kerala has a bank of 569.7 km with a chain of brackish water lagoons.

6. Odisha:- Odisha has a bank of 476.4 km. It has a coastline made up by the deposits of Mahanadi, Brahmani and Baitarani delta.

7. West Bengal:- West Bengal has a bank of 157.5 km. Ganga and Brahmaputra River systems produce large intertidal, deltaic masses.

8. Andhra Pradesh:- Andhra Pradesh has a bank of 973.7 km.

9. Tamil Nadu:- Tamil Nadu has a bank of 906.9 km.

Physiography of the coastal areas

• The Indian eastern and western coastlines are veritably different in characteristics.

• A narrow strip between the Arabian Sea from Rann of Kutch to Kanyakumari is known as the West Coast.

• On the other side, the east seacoast starts from Kanyakumari and stretches to Sunderban.

• large areas of the coastal plains in India are covered by fertile soils. The main crop of this area is rice and coconut trees grow all along the coast.

• Beaches and backwaters are important tourist attractions. In low-lying areas of the coastal region fishing and salt production are important activities.

Conclusion

Coastal areas are very important for a nation. Sea banks provide routes for trading, have a booming biodiversity and beaches can be very relaxing holiday destinations. There are 9 states and 4 union territories in India that share coastlines with different oceans. Gujarat has the longest coastline among all the states and there are 14 Major ports in India.