| Andaman and Nicobar | Hotels and Resorts |
General Information Area-8293 sq km on 139 islandsPopulation-277,989 People per sq km-34 Capital-Port Blair Main Languages-Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and other tribal languages Literacy rate-73.74% INTRODUCTION Floating in splendid isolation, east of the Indian mainland, is the archipelago (archeological find) of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is spread over a distance nearly 800 Kms. from North to South with 38 inhabited islands. A hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating (rising and falling) islands are covered with dense forests and an endless variety of exotic flora & fauna. The rare avifauna, underwater marine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream view of the rare gifts of nature. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract many nature-lover. A visit to these islands is a memorable experience. The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline are fringed with coconut-palms that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the islands offer excellent scope for water sports. The clean and wide roads, free of filth as well as unpolluted fresh air attract any nature-lover, who seek absolute peace and tranquility in the lap of mother nature. Adventure tourism like trekking, island camping, snorkeling, scuba diving etc., are the real attractions. A visit to these islands is a memorable lifetime experience. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were constituted into a Union Territory in November 1956. The Islands are in two groups: the Andaman's and the Nicobar, with a ten degree channel separating the two. They stretch over 500 miles of water in the Bay of Bengal. Geographically, they are situated between the 6th and 14th parallel of north, latitude and between 92 degree and 94 degree of east longitude. Although the Andaman Islands, large and small, number about 239, the bulk consists of three closely connected large islands., North, Middle and South Andaman's which with other two Islands, Baratang and Rut-Land, almost form one landmass known as the Great Andaman's. In the Nicobars, there are 19 islands of which 13 are inhabited by about 12,000 aboriginal tribesmen. Most of them live on Car Nicobar, the northern most of the archipelago. Half of the total area is covered by the Great Nicobar which is almost uninhabited. Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is 120 miles from Cape Negrais in Burma, 780 from Calcutta and 749 from Madras. The Islands possess a number of harbors, notably Port Blair in the south, Elphinstone and Bonington in the middle and Port Cornwallis in the north. The Nicobar- Islands are situated to the South of the Andaman's. There is a fine landlocked harbor between the Islands of Kamotra and Nancowry known as Nancowry Harbor. Coconut is the main item trade and the major item in their diet. And they have been cultivating coconut for as long as any one can remember. Mythologically, the name Andaman was presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman. Since Prehistoric times, these islands were the home of aboriginal tribes. The tribes of, the Andaman group of islands are the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, and Sentinatese, all of Negrito origin, while the tribes of Nicobars are the Nicobarese and Shompens, both of Mongoloid stock. The first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the First War of Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, Moplas, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen. In these islands people of all faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc., and of all languages like Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobari etc., live together in complete peace and harmony. Inter-religion and inter-regional marriages are common. This amazing racial and cultural mix is correctly described as Mini-India. Forests are the green extend over gold of the islands. The reserved and protected forests extend over 86% area of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92 %. About 50 % of the forests has been set aside as Tribal Reserves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are inviolate. Luxuriant mangroves, perhaps the richest in the world, occupy nearly II. 5 % of the territory. More than 150 plant and animals species are endemic in nature. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is rich in corals, varieties of colored fishes, sea turtles etc., besides other marine life. It is a birds paradise - more than 271 varieties of birds inhabit the idyllic landscape, out of which 39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiftlet, Hornbill and Nicobar Pigeon are some of the specialties of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Since pre-historic times, these islands have been the home of aboriginal tribes. But the first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, the year after the First War of Indian Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen History : A clear history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be had only from a British Survey of these islands conducted in 1777. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for centuries. These islands remained secluded from the mainland till the end of the 18th Century when people from the outside world first arrived. The history of these islands could be divided into four broad periods
In the Second Century, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were located in the maps prepared by the great Greek astronomer, mathematician and geographer, Claudius Ptolemaeus, which possibly is the earliest reference to these islands. The early history of Nicobar is not well known although these islands were familiar to traders in ancient times, the islands being situated close to the trade route to the Far East. Though little is known about Portuguese activities in these islands, it is evident that the Portuguese missionaries started preaching Christianity among the islanders. The Nicobarese language also reflects a few Portuguese words. Tourism : The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a veritable Garden of Eden and a naturalist's heaven. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract all nature lovers. The tropical rain forests and waters of Bay of Bengal are the home of a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life. Topographically the islands are hilly in places fringed with coconut palm, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches. Adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving etc. and other water sports are the real attractions. A marvelous mix of nature's most precious delights, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a once in a lifetime holiday experience. ACTIVITIES : SCUBA DIVING
Snorkeling
TREKKING ISLAND CAMPING Places of Interest : CELLULAR JAIL (National Memorial):
The penal settlement established here by the British after the First War of Independence-e in 1857 was the beginning of the agonizing story of the massive and awful Jail at Viper Island followed by the Cellular Jail. The patriots who raised their voice against the British Raj were sent to this Jail, where many perished. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the first Tri-Color on 30th December, 1943 at a place near this Jail. During the 50th year of India's Independence, the living freedom fighters and widows of the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in the Cellular Jail were honored by the President of India on 30th December, 1997. A commemorative coin and a postal stamp on Cellular Jail were also released on this occasion. The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving Son-et-Lumiere' shown daily at 6.00 PM (Hindi) and 7.15 PM (English). Also there is a Museum and an Art Gallery which is open on all days except Monday from 9.00 AM to 12 Noon and 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM. ANDAMAN WATER SPORTS COMPLEX This is a unique sports complex in India in its own kind. There are facilities for safe Water Sports such as Rowing Boats, Paddle Boats, Kayaks, Aqua-cycle, Aqua-glide, Bumper boats, etc., and Adventure water sports such as Water-skiing, Water scooters, Gemini boats, Para-sailing, Sail boats, Wind-surfers, Speed boats, Glass-bottom boats, etc., There are Saline Water Swimming Pool, Nature-walk, Change Room, Food Plaza, also. There is a Memorial built to commemorate the Battle of Aberdeen, fought between the British and Andaman aborigines in May, 1859, in which many Andamanese died. There is an artificial water-fall nearby. CHILDREN'S TRAFFIC PARK This park near Aberdeen Water Sports Complex, is set up by the Traffic Police to educate young children about the traffic rules. There is a Toy Train nearby. GANDHI PARK
This beautiful Park at Port Blair has facilities like children's park, amusement park, entertainment park, deer and bird park, water sports, nature trail,, lake, garden, restaurant and Japanese temple, as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman Tank, which was the only source of drinking water to Port Blair has been developed into Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days.
Corbyn's Cove
The Chatham Saw Mill The Chatham Saw Mill, one of the oldest and largest mills in Asia, built on a tiny island, is connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a store-house of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc. The island has the second largest wharf of these islands, where island-mainland ships can berth. MINI ZOO MOUNT HARRIT The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, it is an ideal place for a nice and fascinating view of the sun, sea and sand. It is 365 meters high, the highest peak in the South Andamans. One can trek up to Madhuban through a nature trail and can find rare flora and fauna, endemic birds, animals and butterflies. Conducted tours to Mt. Harriet are available from Andaman Teal House. Sippighat Farm Ross Island: A short boat ride from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Ross Island, was the seat of the British Administration. Important ruins include a Church, Cemetery, Swimming Pool and Chief Commissioner's residence. A small museum of Indian Navy, Smritika, has a good collection of old records. Boats are available from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair daily except Wednesday. Viper Island:
Viper Island is very near to Port Blair and was the old Jail were British's used to harbor convicts. It has ruins of gallows atop a hillock. The Jail was abandoned when the Cellular Jail was constructed in 1906.
Climate: The climate in Andaman and Nicobar remains in the range of 23 degrees Celcius to 31 degrees Celcius due to the Sea Breezes and the humidity level is 80% throughout the Year. While December and January are the high seasons, the best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar is between December and April.
|
