The Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a Union Territory of India located in the south-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. They consist of two major island groups — the Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south — separated by the Ten Degree Channel.
The islands form a long north-south chain between Myanmar and Indonesia and are strategically located near the Malacca Strait. Their position along major sea routes connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean makes them geographically and strategically important for India.
These islands are known for their tropical forests, coral ecosystems, sandy beaches, tribal communities, volcanic features, and colonial history. There are a total of 836 islands, of which only 31 are inhabited.
Port Blair, now officially called Sri Vijaya Puram, is located in South Andaman and serves as the capital and main administrative centre of the union territory.
Location and Extent
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands lie between India and Southeast Asia, forming an elongated chain of islands in the Bay of Bengal. The islands are located between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east.
- The island chain extends from 6° 45′ N to 13° 45′ N latitude and from 92° 10′ E to 94° 15′ E longitude.
- The islands lie about 1,200 km from mainland India.
- The northern islands are located close to the Coco Islands of Myanmar.
- The southern Nicobar Islands lie much closer to Sumatra Island of Indonesia.
- The islands are geographically closer to parts of Southeast Asia than most regions of mainland India.
- The islands are considered a submerged extension of the Arakan Yoma mountain system of Myanmar.
Important Channels and Passages
Following are some major channels and passages of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, arranged from north to south:
| Channel / Passage | Importance |
|---|---|
| Coco Channel | Separates the Andaman group from Myanmar’s Coco Islands |
| Duncan Passage | Lies between South Andaman and Little Andaman |
| Ten Degree Channel | Separates the Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Sombrero Channel | Separates the central group of Nicobar Islands from Little Nicobar |
| Great Channel | Separates India’s Nicobar Islands from Indonesia’s Sumatra Islands. |
Major Island Groups
The territory is broadly divided into two island chains:
Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands form the northern and central part of the territory and contain the main administrative, population, and tourism centres.
Major islands include:
- North Andaman
- Middle Andaman
- South Andaman
- Little Andaman
- Baratang Island
- Rutland Island
- Interview Island
- North Sentinel Island
- Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
- Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (Ross Island)
The famous Ritchie’s Archipelago lies in the eastern part of the Andaman group and includes islands such as Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, which are known for tourism, beaches, and coral reefs.
In 2018, Ross Island, Neil Island, and Havelock Island were officially renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, Shaheed Dweep, and Swaraj Dweep respectively as a tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese tribe, one of the world’s most isolated indigenous communities. The island is strictly protected and remains off-limits to outsiders to preserve the tribe and its habitat.
Important islands in the Andaman group also include:
- Barren Island, India’s only active volcano
- Narcondam Island, a volcanic island known for the Narcondam Hornbill. It is also the easternmost island of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Saddle Peak (732 m) located in the North Andaman is the highest peak of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Nicobar Islands
The Nicobar Islands lie south of the Ten Degree Channel and are more isolated and less populated than the Andaman group.
Major islands include:
- Car Nicobar
- Katchal Island
- Camorta Island
- Nancowry Island
- Teressa Island
- Chowra Island
- Tillanchong Island
- Little Nicobar
- Great Nicobar
Indira Point on Great Nicobar is the southernmost point of India. Great Nicobar is strategically important because of its location near the Malacca Strait.
Biodiversity and Environment
The islands are known for exceptional biodiversity. Many species found here are endemic, meaning they occur nowhere else. The combination of forests, coral reefs, mangroves, and isolated ecosystems makes the region biologically rich.
Environmental features include:
- Tropical evergreen forests
- Mangrove belts
- Coral reefs
- Seagrass meadows
- Endemic birds, reptiles, and plants
- Protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries
At the same time, the islands are environmentally fragile. They are vulnerable to cyclones, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and earthquakes.
Climate
The islands experience a tropical maritime climate with:
- Warm temperatures throughout the year
- High humidity
- Heavy rainfall
- Influence of both southwest and northeast monsoons
The climate supports dense forests and rich marine ecosystems.
Population and Tribal Communities
Most of the population is concentrated in South Andaman around Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).
Important indigenous tribes include:
- Great Andamanese
- Jarawa
- Onge
- Sentinelese
- Nicobarese
- Shompen
Some tribal areas are protected and highly restricted.
Historical Importance
- The islands were used by the British as a penal settlement.
- Cellular Jail in Port Blair became a symbol of India’s freedom struggle.
- During World War II, the islands were briefly occupied by Japan.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian tricolour here in 1943.
Strategic Importance
The islands are strategically important because:
- They lie close to the Malacca Strait sea route.
- They help India monitor the eastern Indian Ocean region.
- They strengthen India’s naval and maritime presence.
- They are important in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Earthquakes and Tsunami
The islands lie in a tectonically active region and are prone to earthquakes.
- The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami severely affected the islands.
- Coastal areas remain vulnerable to seismic and tsunami hazards.
Economy and Tourism
Main economic activities include:
- Tourism
- Fisheries
- Coconut cultivation
- Small-scale agriculture
- Government services
Tourism is an important sector due to:
- Beaches
- Coral reefs
- Water sports
- Historical sites like Cellular Jail.
