Kadapa is a city located in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh, India. It serves as the district headquarters for the YSR Kadapa district and is situated within the Rayalaseema region.
The city is positioned approximately 8 kilometres south of the Penna River. Geographically, it is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palkonda Hills, which lie on the tectonic landscape between the Eastern and Western Ghats. The surrounding region is characterized by black and red ferrous soils.
Kadapa is commonly nicknamed "Gadapa," which translates to "threshold." This name reflects its status as the gateway from the west to the hills of Tirumala.