The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for centuries. This Union Territory is stretched over an area of more than 700 Km. from north to south with 36 inhabited islands. Once a hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of exotic flowers and birds. "Here the white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees that sway to the rhythm of the Sea. The beat of tribal drums haunts the stillness and technicolour fish steer their way through crystal clear water." This addition of strangeness to beauty which is responsible for creating the infinite romantic impact may be described in the following famous lines of Keats.

In these islands people of all faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc., and of all languages like Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobari etc., live together in complete peace and harmony. Inter-religion and inter-regional marriages are common. This amazing racial and cultural mix is correctly described as Mini-India.

Widespread and uncontrolled deforestation in the hills, resulting in massive siltation of the coastal waters, is a serious constraint to the survival of corals. Several resources like green turtles, crocodiles, sea cows and molluscan shells are overexploited by the islanders. Two sections of the Andaman reefs have been declared as Marine National Parks (Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park and Rani Jhansi National Marine Park) and enjoy protection. The Great Nicobar Island has been declared as a Biosphere Reserve.

Places Of Interest in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Cellular Jail
• Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
• Water Sports Complex
• Fisheries Museum
• Chatham Saw Mill
• Samudrika Museum
• Anthropological Museum
• Forest Museum
• Marina Park
• Gandhi Park
• Sippighat Agricultural Farm
• Mount Harriet
• Chidiya Tapu
• Mini Zoo

Travel to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

India Travel Destination Guide

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