Andaman and Nicobar Islandsare a group of more than 300 islands from which about 265 are inhabited being 100 small and with little or no water. The island can be divided into the following three divisions-Great Andaman’s, Little Andaman’s and Nicobar Islands. The Great Andaman’s comprises of Land full islands, North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman Port Blair, the capital of the island is 1255 km from Kolkata and 119 km from Madras.

Geographically the islands have tropical vegetation; rich in palm and coconut. Beaches are crescent shaped and very beautiful. There are corals with a variety of tropical fish. Huge rubber plantations cover the islands.

In the Bay of Bengal, 1000 km off the east coast of India, the Andaman and Nicober Islands comprise around 500 mostly uninhabited tropical islands with unique fauna, lush forests, while sandy beaches and exquisite coral. For weary mainland travelers, the Andaman offer a welcome respite with plenty of opportunities to simply blob out or get physical and hike, snorkel or dive.

The islands from the peaks of a vast submerged mountain range that extends for almost 1000 km between Myanmarand Sumatra. The total land area is 8248 sq km with the majority being the Andaman’s at 6408 sq km. The highest point, Saddle Peakat 732 m, is on North Andaman. The Nicobar Islandsbegin 50km South of Little Andaman.

While geographically close to Myanmarpolitically the Andaman and Nicobar islandsbelong to the Union Territory of India.

History

It’s not when the first inhabitants arrived on the Andaman and Nicober Islands Their presence was documented in the second century by Ptolemy, and later in the seventh century by Xuan Zang.

In the late 17^th C, the islands were annexed by the Marathas whose empire consumed vast areas of India Two centuries later the British used them as a penal colony, initially to detain ‘regular criminals’ from main land Indiaand later to incarcerate political dissidents-the freedom fighters for independence. For this purpose the British constructed the notorious Cellular Jail. Completed in 19908, it became a place of horrendous atrocities. During World War 2, the islands were occupied by the Japanese, who were regarded ambiguously by the islanders. Some initiated guerrilla activities against them while others regarded them as liberators from British colonialism. With Independence in 1947, the islands were incorporated into the Indian union. Since then, massive migration from the mainland has inflated the island population from a few thousand to more than 300,000.Tribal land rights and environmental protection have at times been disregarded. The island administrators are mostly appointed from the mainland and their tour of duty is often viewed as a ‘hardship’ posting. Many are reluctant sojourners; others make a few nominal changes in the name of progress before returning home. Some of these ‘inventive’ schemes have included a velodrome, a high tech, rarely used swimming pool and the Andaman Grand Trunk Road which cuts through tribal land and links destinations already well served by sea.

Transportation

The islands are accessible by boat and plane from Chennai and Kolkata.

By Air

Jet Airways operates daily flights from Chennai to Port Blair. Indian Airlines has four flights a week from Chennai to Port Blair and from Kolkata to Port Blair. Theses flights return to their city of origin on the same day. All flights take around two hours and cost around US$200 one way. Daily flights have ended the former difficulties of securing tickets and the new Port Blair passenger terminal ensures smooth and comfortable arrivals and departure. Port Blair is connected with Chennai and Kolkata by air. Presently flights are operated by Alliance Air/Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.

By Sea

Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam and back. There are three to four sailings every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is one sailing from Vishakhapatnam in a month. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days.

Weather

Sea breezes keep temperatures within the 23 to 31 degree Celsius range and the humidity at around 80% all year. The south-west monsoons come to the islands between mid May and June, and the north-east monsoons between November and December. The best time to visit is between December and early April. December and January are the high seasons.

Food

As it is situated on the coast fish foods are famous.

Language

Even though there so many tribal languages the major other languages are Andamanies, Bengalis, Hindi, Nicobaries, Telungu, Tamil and Malayalam.

Accommodation

There are so many star hotels and other accommodation units such as youth hostels, lodges, etc.