ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
 Excellently located east of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a exhilarating archipelago. The island are spread out over more than 800 km and its location is in the Bay of Bengal. Serving brilliantly as an ideal tropical dream, the islands have less than 300 000 inhabitants at total 572 islands. The islands is marked by dense forest and white beaches and offers a wonderful opportunity for scuba-diving, hiking or camping.
Floating in superb isolation, Andaman & Nicobar islands are a wonderful place of emerald islands, isles and rocks known as. It is serving as a union territory with a length of more than 700 kms. It easily stretches from north to south with 36 inhibited islands. These beautiful islands attract tourists from all parts of the globe for their dense forests and infinite varieties of exotic flora and fauna. With a hilly topography and full of evergreen forests, the island have always been a delight for the tourists. The striking sandy beaches, meandering coastline, coconut and palms trees and the sea mark the islands.
Port Blair, the only large town here, has been serving as the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The city is very much like any other lively Indian market town and ensures that tourists easily experience its lively atmosphere. The Cellular Jail is another popular attraction on the islands that easily reflects of the glorious past that the islands have gone through during the time of Indian freedom movement. Once a large prison built by the British in the early 1900’s, the Jail has now been turned into a monument to those freedom fighters. The Marine Museum, the Anthropological Museum, and the Chatham Sawmill are some of other popular sites in Port Blair.
History
Comparatively close to Thailand by main land than to India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are easily the most remote part of India. A bunch of aboriginal tribes are original inhabitants here. Of nearly 600 islands, foreign tourists can have access to only 9 and all those are in the Andamans. The islands hold value for its historical link with India's freedom movement as the British rulers used it to imprison rebels and freedom fighters. During World War II, the Japanese got hold of few parts of the islands, though later handed it back.
Geography
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands expands almost almost 500 km in length, with the Andamans in the north and the Nicobars in the south. Great Andaman is the main island which has been divided into three parts - North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman. The large city of Port Blair is situated on South Andaman.
Culture
The Islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands have a unique culture which is marked by two distinct native populations – The Negrito population in the Andaman and The Autochthones. They live a happy life and have preserved their identities and culture. A fine blend of varied religions, languages and ethnic groups also mark the island. Also called as the “ mini India”, the island, specially the capital city of Port Blair, maintains a cosmopolitan culture with people of religions and faiths living peacefully.
Cities and Attractions
Port Blair
The capital of the Andamans and the sole entry/exit point. You can enjoy fresh seafood and can see a couple of the nearby sites.
Diglipur
As soon as you take a road trip to the far north of the island chain, you reach to a base for visits to nearby Smith and Ross Islands.
Havelock Island
It's the most visited site of the islands for its beautiful beaches, great snorkeling and scuba diving.
Rutland Island
It is a pristine, clean and least visited island. Good looking mangrove forest, coral reefs and a 45 acre Totani Resort are attractions here.
Neil Island
A place for nice beaches and decent snorkeling.
Wandoor
A quiet place and popular as the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
Barren Island
A volcano island and the only volcano in all of India.
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