- An unspoilt solitude
- Untainted sky overhead and soft white sand under your bare feet
- Breathtaking sea in front and the coconut palms swaying behind
- A gentle breeze ruffling your hair,
If this is what you are looking for in your next holiday,
Travel.mapsofindia unfolds for you one of the world's best-kept secrets - the
Andaman Nicobar Islands.
Err…if you are an adventurer, looking forward to delve deep into the sea, exploring the infinite variety of under water marine life, travel to Andaman Nicobar Islands, which offers you ample opportunity of scuba diving and snorkeling.
Perched in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, the Tropical paradise of Andaman is also a perfect retreat for honeymooners.
Turquoise sea, lush greenery and exquisite tranquility characterize your travel to Andaman Nicobar Islands.
History
The history of Andaman is largely unrecorded. Except for some aboriginal tribes, who have inhabited the island since pre-historic times, Marco Polo is believed to be among the first from the West who set foot on one of these virgin Islands.
- In early 18th century, Kanouji Angre, a Maratha admiral had set up his base in the islands
- In 1789, the British established their first settlement, which was later abandoned in 1796.
- In 1858, the British had established a penal colony for the convicts of the Sepoy Mutiny - India's First war of Independence and constructed the infamous Cellular Jail
- During World War II, the Japanese troops occupied the islands but the local tribes took up guerrilla activities to drive them out.
- In 1947, with the Independence, the islands were incorporated to the Indian Union
| Location | Within the Bay of Bengal 193 km away from Cape Negrais in Myanmar,
1255 km from Kolkata, 1190 km from Chennai |
| Latitude | 6° and 14° North |
| Longitude | Between 92° and 94° East |
| Area | 8,249 Square Kilometers |
| Climate | Tropical throughout the year. There is There is no extreme climate except rains and tropical storms in late summer often cause heavy damage |
| Max Temperature | 31°C |
| Min Temperature | 23°C |
| Humidity | 70% – 90% |
| Rainy Season | May – mid September November – mid December |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 3180.0 mm |
| Capital | Port Blair |
| Population | 280,661 (1991 Census).Of the total 572 islands, only 36 islands are inhabited by human |
| Languages | Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Nicobarese, Telugu |
| Religion | Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Others |
| Best Time to Visit | October to May |
| Clothing | Light Cottons throughout the year |
Ethnicity
Some aboriginal tribes inhabit the islands since the pre-historic times. Hit by the growing settlement of the mainlanders migrated to the islands and the rapid urbanization, the original inhabitants are on the verge of extinction on their own land.
Ethnologically the indigenous tribes can be classified into 2 major categories:
| Negroid descent : Living in the Andaman Islands |
| The Onge, | Have gradually adapted to the dress code of the mainland people.Use traditional adornments like necklaces, waistbands, armbands made of shells and headbands of bark fiber at ceremonial occasions only |
| The Sentinelese, | Estimated 250 in number. Do not wear anything. |
| The Jarawa, | Traditional adornments like necklaces, waistbands made of shells and headbands of bark fiber etc |
| The Andamanese | Estimated no as low as 30 ! |
| Mongoloid descent : Living in the Nicobar Islands |
| The Shompen | Semi nomadic Cover their body below the waist only |
| The Nicobarese | Follow modern-day clothes of the mainland |
Tourist Office in Andaman
Port Blair Director (Tourism),
Andaman & Nicobar Admn,
Port Blair - 741101
Tel: (03192) 30933, 20747
Fax: (0091-03192) 30933
So, feel tempted? Come and travel to Andaman Nicobar Islands to have a great holiday.
Travel.mapsofindia offers online booking of hotels and tour packages to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all over India.
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