Page 623 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

SOUTH INDIA  621

ANDAMAN ISLANDS

An archipelago of 572 idyllic islands in the Bay of Bengal, about
1,000 km (621 miles) from the mainland, the Andamans and
the neighbouring Nicobar Islands are actually the peaks of a
submerged mountain range that extends from Myanmar to
Indonesia. They encompass three distinct ecosystems – tropical
forests, mangroves and coral reefs, which support a staggering
variety of plant and animal life. Foreign visitors require a permit
(see pp734–5), and are not allowed on the Nicobar Islands. Many
parts of the Andamans, too, are off-limits, to preserve their rare biodiversity and
protect the six tribal groups, some of whom are fiercely independent. Their hostility
was probably the reason why Marco Polo described the islands as being inhabited
by cannibals. The Andamans acquired the sinister name Kala Pani (“Black Waters”) in
the 19th century, when the British established a penal colony here. The islands were
severely hit by the tsunami waves in December 2004. Their permanent population
includes migrant Indians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and Karens from Myanmar.
The surrounding reefs are ideal for water sports.

Kolkata Landfall Island
Narcondam Island
Sights at a Glance
Towns & Villages
Bay of Aerial Bay
Bengal • • Kalipur 1 Port Blair
Diglipur 5 Chidiya Tapu
Kalighat •
Sound Island Islands
Mohantapur •
• Mayabander 3 Ross Island
Interview 6 Cinque Island
Island
Cuthbert Bay 7 Ritchie’s Archipelago
8 Middle Andaman
NH223
9 North Andaman
Rangat
•
Rangat Bay Barren
Long Island Island National Parks
Kadamtala •
Henry Lawrence 2 Mount Harriet
Island National Park
Baratang • John Lawrence Island 4 Wandoor Marine
National Park
NH223 Havelock Island
Neil Island
Ferrarganj
• Key
Chennai, National highway
Visakhapatnam
Major road
North Sentinel Andaman
Island Sea Minor road
Ferry route
The Sisters
North Brother
South Brother
South Sentinel
Island 0 kilometres 100
Little
Andaman 0 miles 100
Nicobar Islands
Children playing near the Havelock Island jetty For keys to symbols see back flap

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