Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh was formerly known as Ongole District. It was named Prakasam in remembrance of Andhra Kesari Sri. Some taluks in Prakasam District were added from Guntur, Nellore and Kurnool districts. Ongole is the district headquarters.

The area occupied is 17,600 km. More than a third of the area is cultivated land. The population is approximately 3 million. The 105 km coastline provides ample opportunities for the fishing industry.

There are other flourishing industries which include seed processing, plantation and floriculture, agro business and food processing, tobacco, beer and beverages, cotton yarn and cotton fabrics, wool, silk and man-made fiber, paper, chemical, drugs and pharmaceuticals, plastics and rubber.

The important tourist destinations include Tripurantakam, Manikeswaram, Markapur, and Malakonda in addition to Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Sanctuary, Motupalle, Vodarevu, Chandavaram and Gundla Brahmeswaram Sanctuary. Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Singarayakonda, Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Kasi Visweswara temple and temples at Addanki are significant pilgrim spots.