Andaman & Nicobar at a glance

Located in the Bay of Bengal, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an archipelago of over 300 islands, a majority of which are uninhabited. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs, sandy beaches and clear water. The islands were used by the British in the 19th century, mainly for imprisoning Indian freedom fighters in the 'cellular jail'.

The climate in the Andaman and Nicobar is tropical. The native people of these islands are of Negroid and Monogloid stocks. The main tribes are Onge, Andamanese, Shompen, Nicobarese and Jarawa. The number of tribals is fast dwindling.

Fact File | Climate | Geographic Details | Population

Fact File - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Capital: Port Blair.

Total Area: 8,249sq.kms.

Distance by Sea:
1,255-kms From Calcutta (Kolkata)
1,190-kms From Chennai
1,200-kms From Vishakhapatnam

Distance by Air:
1,303-kms From Calcutta (Kolkata)
1,330-kms From Chennai

Climate: Tropical and Humid. Humidity ranges between 70% and 90% with a gentle breeze blowing at all times. The weather is generally pleasant with a minimum temperature of 23°C and maximum 30°C.

Ideal Tourist Season: October to May
For Monsoon Holidays: June to September
Altitude: Varies from sea level to 732 meters.

Best season: October to May

Clothing:Cottons throughout the Year.

Biggest Island in Andaman Group: Middle Andaman Island, 1536 Sq.Km

Biggest Island in Nicobar Group: Great Nicobar Island, 1045 Sq.Km.

Smallest Island in Andaman Group: Ross Island, 0.8 Sq Km.

Smallest Island in Nicobar Group: Pilomillow Island,1.3 Sq.Km

Languages: Hindi, Nicobarase, Malayalam, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, English.

Official currency: Rupee

First visitor: Marco Polo was reported to be the first official visitor to this tropical string of 36 inhabited, and many uninhabited islands, located in the Indian Ocean.

Andaman & Nicobar Climate

Temperature (Mean)
Minimum - 23oC
Maximum 30oC

Relative Humidity 70% to 90%

Rainfall 3000 mms (May to mid-September & November to January)

Geographic Details

Location: Bay of Bengal
Longitude: 920 to 940 East
Latitude: 60 to 140 North

Altitude (Highest Point)

Andaman Islands
Saddle Peak (North Andaman Island): 732 Metres

Nicobar Islands
Mount Thullier (Great Nicobar Island): 642 Metres

Area (Sq.km)

Total Area: 8249
Andaman District: 6408
Nicobar District: 1841
Urban Area: 16.64
Rural Area: 8232.36

Distance

Distance by Sea (In Kms.)
Between Port Blair & Chennai: 1190
Between Port Blair & Calcutta: 1255
Between Port Blair & Vishakapatnam: 1200

Distance by Air (In Kms.)
Between Calcutta & Port Blair: 1303
Between Chennai & Port Blair: 1330

Population (2001)

Total Population: 356265
Male: 192985
Female: 163280