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Andaman Islands
Author: Venkatesh (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Andaman and Nicobar Islands (আন্দামান ও নিকোবর দ্বীপপুঞ্জ) are a Union Territory of India located in the Bay of Bengal. They can be described as separating the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea, and are closer to Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand, than to mainland India itself.
The archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprises the bigger group, called the Andaman Islands, and to the south of it, the smaller group, the Nicolar Islands. They have a total land area of 8,250 sq km (3,185 sq mi) and a population of 380,000, of which 314,000 live on the Andaman Islands. The capital and main town is Port Blair.
Seascape at Chidiyatapu in the Andaman Islands
Author: Ekabhishek (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been inhabited by natives for thousands of years, with some scientists claiming that they may have been inhabited as long ago as 60,000 years. During the 11th century, the islands were occupied by the Chola Dynasty. Chola rulers used it as a launch pad for offensives against the Sriwijaya Empire, which occupied the Malay archipelago from southern Thailand to western Java.
Contact between the Cholas and the natives led to the latter being called Nakkavaram, meaning "land of naked men", and this evolved to the present name, Nicobar. Separately, the name Andaman was derived from the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.
Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair, Andaman Island
Author: Biswarup Ganguly (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Among Europeans, the Danish were the first to colonize the islands, through the Danish East India Company, in 1754-56. Missionaries of the Moravian Church Brethren attempted to establish a settlement in Tranquebar, but abandoned it after repeated outbreaks of Malaria. The Danes eventually pulled out in 1868 and sold the Nicobar Islands to the British, which made them part of British India.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands became a union territory of India in 1956. Many of the islands are either uninhabited or sparsely populated by aboriginal people. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tsunami killed 5,930 people of Nicobar and Andaman Islands, with the worst affected areas being Katchal and Indira Point on the Nicobar Islands. Most of the casualties were settlers. The aboriginal people largely escaped the calamity.
Andaman Cellular Jail, Port Blair
Author: Biswarup Ganguly (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
How to go to Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the places in India where you would need a Restricted Area Permit to visit. This can now be obtained upon arrival at Port Blair itself. However if you are arriving by sea, you will need your permit on hand before arrival - this can be done in Chennai or when you apply for your India visa.You can fly to Port Blair from Kolkata and Chennai on Indian Airlines and JetLite. Kingfisher Red also flies from Chennai while Spicejet has a direct service from Delhi.
Sunset at Wandoor Beach in the Andaman Islands
Author: si_si_ay (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Main Cities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Port Blair - capital
- Diglipur
- Mayabunder
- Rangat
Main Sights in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Barren Island
A volcanic island with the only active volcano on Indian soil. - Havelock Island
The main tourist destination with fine beaches and sea ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. - Little Andaman
Despite its name, it's the biggest island opened to tourism in the Andamans, but due to its remote location, it is the least visited. - Long Island
Undeveloped island available for tourism, though you may have to camp on the beach. - Neil Island
Another beach destination with good beaches and snorkelling opportunities. - Rutland Island
Remote island with basic tourist infrastructure, but is still largely pristine. - Wandoor
Beach destination that serves as gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
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