One app for all your study abroad needs
Andaman and Nicobar is the Union Territory of India which consists of two island groups. It is the tropical heaven on the land of India with lush green landscapes and aqua-colored water bodies. People go there to soak Vitamin D on the palm-fringed shores. It is situated on the ancient trade route between Myanmar and India. It was after 2004 that this group of islands got the attention of people when it got a major tsunami. Scroll to learn facts about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
[powerkit_toc title=”This Blog Includes:”]
About Andaman and Nicobar Islands
| Information | Details |
| Name | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Type | Indonesia: Approximately 165 km (103 mi) to the south Myanmar: Approximately 280 km (170 mi) to the north-eastThailand: Approximately 650 km (400 mi) to the south-east |
| Geographical Location | Situated between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea |
| Island Groups | Northern Andaman Islands and Southern Nicobar Islands |
| Number of Islands | 836 |
| Inhabited Islands | 31 |
| Capital | Port Blair |
| Distance from Mainland India | 1,190 km (740 mi) from Chennai1,255 km (780 mi) from Kolkata |
| Northernmost Point | Approximately 901 km (560 mi) from the mouth of the Hooghly river |
| Southernmost Point | Indira Point at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E, Great Nicobar |
| Total Land Area | Approximately 8,249 km2 (3,185 sq mi) |
| Population (2011 Census) | 380,581 |
| Maritime Borders | Indonesia: Approximately 165 km (103 mi) to the south Myanmar: Approximately 280 km (170 mi) to the north-east Thailand: Approximately 650 km (400 mi) to the south-east |
| Districts | NicobarSouth AndamanNorth and Middle Andaman |
| District Capitals | Car NicobarPort BlairMayabunder |
Facts about Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- The most common widely spoken language of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Bengali. Other dominant languages of these islands are Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
- This is a fact about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that not many people know of. Usually, the source of income in island areas is fishing. However, in these island groups, commercial fishing is banned in order to preserve the underwater flora and fauna.
- Barren Island, an island in Andaman is Asia’s only active volcano. In the world, the only active volcano from Sumatra to Myanmar
- In March 2008, the tourism department of the Andaman Islands made it illegal for tourists to interact with or click Jarawa, a tribe of Andaman Islands.
- The original name of this union territory is not just Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is called Andaman and Nicobar Island Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO).
- A fact about Andaman and Nicobar that might not be known to people is that these islands were not originally ours, it was a gift from Japan on 6 November 1943.
- The history of the Andaman Islands can be traced back to one of the holy books of Hindus, Ramayana where it was referred to as Handuman. With time it was renamed to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Andaman has now become very commercialized for tourists. However, the Nicobar Islands is still a restricted area because the tribes on this island are amongst the first original inhabitants of the island.
- During World War II, one of the active zones was the Andaman and Nicobar Islands when Japan controlled it.
- This fact about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands makes it home to a different species of Brachyuran crabs. As per the report by the Center for Marine Living Resources Ecology (CMLRE), it shelters a total of 18 species of Brachyuran crab.
Also Read- Geography for UPSC Preparation: Syllabus & Essentials
- The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake did much damage to the beauty of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It witnessed the loss of life and land. It is said that most of the island sank underwater.
- Baratang, an active mud volcano in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the only known example of their kind.
- Another fact about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is that it is the home to the world’s largest sea turtle, the leatherback sea turtle.
- The state animal of the island is Dugong. It’s a sea cow and is an herbivore mammal.
- The image on the previous note of Rs. 20 is that of the lighthouse of North Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- India’s first commercial seaplane was launched in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The name was Jal Hans. it was launched as a pilot project in 2010 with a capacity of only 10 passengers.
- An amazing fact about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is that it is a compilation of more than 500 small islands.
- The first ever rising of the sun of the millennial was seen in Katchal Island.
- There are two cities in India that share the same distance from the mainland of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands- Kolkata and Chennai.
- The Andaman Islands was not always a part of India, it was a territory of Myanmar before.
Related Blogs
These are all the top 20 facts about Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If you want to know more on topics like the President of India elections, then visit our general knowledge page! Alternatively, you can also read our blog on general knowledge for competitive exams!