Andaman & Nicobar Islands

It's recorded that Marco Polo was the first official visitor to the beautiful Andaman and Nicobar islands, a tropical archipelago of 572 islands.

Isolated in the Indian Ocean and little known in the western world, these islands (a territory of India) are covered by tropical rain forests and only a handful of them are inhabited.

Historically, farming and fishing were (and are) the main revenue sources here, however, increased tourism (especially from scuba divers and beach lovers) are providing another source of much-needed income.

Note that travel to the Nicobar Islands is restricted, and only Indian nationals engaged in research may visit. Some exceptions are made for tourists with special permits.

Fast Facts

Name: Andaman and Nicobar Islands; a territory of India since 1947
Capital City: Port Blair (100,186 pop.)
Population: 379,944 (2010 est.)
World Populations (all countries)
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
(conversion rates)

20 Indian Rupees
Language: Bengali (32.6%), Hindi (25.95%), Tamil including Sri Lankan Tamils (17.84%), Nicobarese and Telugu (18.93%)
Largest Cities: (by population) Port Blair
National Day: January 17
Religion: Hinduism (67%), Christian, Muslim, Sikh

Flags

As a territory of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands fly the national flag of India.

The India flag was officially adopted on July 22, 1947, as the Indian subcontinent divided into India and Pakistan.

The orange represents courage and sacrifice, green symbolizes faith and chivalry, and white idealizes peace and truth. The Buddhist spinning wheel (Chakra) is centered.

Larger India flag

Geo. Stats

Coastline: 1,219 miles (1,962 km)
Land Area:
(land) 3,184 sq miles (8,249 sq km)
(water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km)
(TOTAL) 3,184 sq miles (8,249 sq km) To convert sq km (kilometers) to sq mi (miles)
use our converter
Land Area: (all countries)
Latitude & Longitude: (see map)
Port Blair: (capital city) 11° 40' N, 92° 44' E
Kolkata: 22° 34' N, 88° 21' E
Mumbai: 19° 4' N, 72° 52' E
Horizontal Width: unknown
Vertical Length: unknownNote: Lengths and widths are point-to-point, straight-line measurements from a Mercator map projection, and will vary some using other map projections
Geographic Center: unknown
Highest Point: Saddle Peak 2,395 ft. (730 m)
Lowest Point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Geography

Located in the Indian Ocean, between India and Burma (Myanmar), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the tops of an Indian Ocean mountain range, and most of them are hilly, with heavy rain forests.

Links

GENERAL INTEREST:

Maps

Andaman and Nicobar (large color) Map
Andaman and Nicobar Outline Map
Andaman and Nicobar CIA version
Andaman and Nicobar detailed map
India Map (large color)
India Outline Map
India CIA version
Tsunami Map (December 2004)

Travel Info.

ATTRACTIONS: (a few major)

A permit is required to visit the Andaman Islands, and can be obtained - with the presentation of passport and visa - at the Port Blair Airport. The permit is valid for 30 days.

Note: Travel to Nicobar Islands is restricted to Indian nationals.

In the Andamans, besides beach activities and prolific fishing venues, tourism highlights include mountain trekking, snorkeling and scuba diving.

A visit to Port Blair, Andaman's capital, should include stops at the Cellular Jail, the Anthropological Museum, Chatham Sawmill and the Marine Museum.

Excursions to the beautiful islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy are recommended as well as a trip to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo.

Accommodation choices are fairly simple with a few good eco resorts now available.

GENERAL INTEREST:

Calling Code: 91, then 3192
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz

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