Port Blair - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Leaving Port Blair for Little Andaman (Hut Bay)

Some interesting facts about these islands

• Location: They are located off the eastern coast of India and politically they are a Union Territory of India.
• Population: 3,60,000 ( Prior to the tsunami as per the 2001 census)
• Area: 8248 sq. km (with the Andaman islands having the largest proportion of the total area covered by the 500 islands)
• Capital: Port Blair
• Main languages spoken: Hindi, Tamil, Telegu, Bengali and various other tribal languages and dialects.

How did these islands get their name?

      The name Andaman is probably derived from the Malay word ‘Handuman’, a reference to the Hindu monkey god who is an important character in the legendary story of Lord Ram.

      Nicobar is believed to mean ‘Land of the naked’. Many of the islands in this chain are still inhabited by the aboriginal people who live in isolation .