Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Ritiks · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	India
Established title	Established
Established date	1 November 1956
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Port Blair
Largest city	Port Blair
Government type	Union territory
Lieutenant governor	D. K. Joshi
Chief secretary	Keshav Chandra
Area total km2	8,249
Population total	380,581
Population as of	2011
Population density km2	auto
Official languages	Hindi, English
Additional languages	Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Nicobarese
Timezone1	IST
Utc offset1	+05:30

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a union territory of India comprising 572 islands at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The territory's capital and largest city is Port Blair, located on South Andaman Island. Known for their pristine beaches, indigenous tribes, and strategic location, the islands are a significant hub for tourism and serve as a key maritime outpost for the Indian Navy.

Geography

The archipelago is situated roughly 150 km north of Aceh in Indonesia and separated from Thailand and Myanmar by the Andaman Sea. It is divided into two main island groups: the Andaman Islands to the north and the Nicobar Islands to the south, separated by the Ten Degree Channel. The terrain is largely hilly with rugged coasts and dense rainforests, and includes India's highest point, Saddle Peak, on North Andaman Island. Notable islands include Barren Island, which hosts India's only active volcano, and the coral-rich Ritchie's Archipelago.

History

Early references to the islands appear in the works of the ancient geographer Ptolemy and were known to medieval travelers. The Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre used the islands as a naval base in the early 18th century. Modern colonial history began with a brief settlement by the Danish in the Nicobar Islands in 1755, but permanent establishment came under British rule following a survey by Archibald Blair in 1789. The British established a notorious penal colony at Port Blair, used to exile freedom fighters after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, including notable figures like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. During World War II, the islands were briefly occupied by the Japanese forces, who were opposed by the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose. The territory was formally merged with India in 1950 and became a union territory in 1956.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census of India, the population is over 380,000. The majority of inhabitants are settlers and their descendants from mainland India, particularly from regions like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, with Bengali being the most spoken language. The territory is also home to several indigenous groups, including the Sentinelese, Jarawas, Onge, and Shompen, who are protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act. The Nicobarese people, primarily on the Nicobar Islands, form the largest tribal group and are predominantly Christian.

Administration

The union territory is governed by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India, with D. K. Joshi serving as the current officeholder. The capital, Port Blair, houses the administrative headquarters. For local governance, the territory is divided into three districts: South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar. The judiciary is represented by the Port Blair bench of the Calcutta High Court. Key institutions include the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the first and only tri-service command of the Indian Armed Forces.

Economy

The economy is primarily driven by tourism, with attractions like Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island and historical sites such as the Cellular Jail. Agriculture focuses on crops like rice, coconut, and areca nut, while fishing is a major industry. The government is a significant employer through sectors like port management and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation. Limited light manufacturing and a growing IT sector in Port Blair contribute to the economy. The islands benefit from special tax exemptions under the Indian tax structure.

Flora and fauna

The islands are part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and have a high degree of endemism. The tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests are home to species like the Andaman wild pig, the crab-eating macaque, and the critically endangered Andaman shrew. Marine life includes the dugong, saltwater crocodile, and extensive coral reef systems in areas like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. The Andaman teak and padauk trees are valuable timber species. Protected areas include the Campbell Bay National Park on Great Nicobar Island and the Saddle Peak National Park.

Category:Union territories of India Category:Islands of the Bay of Bengal Category:States and union territories of India