Sunday, August 17, 2008

-Andaman & Nicobar

A bird's eye view shows this cluster of 350 small and large islands as small, green speaks staggered on the vast blue waters. The lovely beaches and coral beds of Andaman Islands are a traveler's delight. At Port Blair, the capital of Andaman, the Cellular Jail and Anthropological Museum merit a visit. Excursions can be taken to the beautiful islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy and to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo. The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands consisting of about 293 islands (39 of which are inhabited) is situated in the Bay of Bengal. The white sandy beaches have a back drop of luxuriant greenery & in the clear blue waters of the lagoons enclosed by coral reefs is an underwater world full of fish of every possible variety. Situated midway between India and Burma, in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were at one time inhabited by various tribes which strongly resisted any efforts at civilization. Some of these tribes are perhaps among the oldest tribal communities in the world.

Area: 8248 sq. kms. (Andaman- 6408 sq. kms, Nicobar- 1841 sq. kms.)
Altitude: Varies from sea-level to 732 meters. (Highest Point- Saddle Peak).
Temperature:
Mean minimum 23 deg C, Mean maximum 30 deg C.
Rainfall: 3000 mms (May to Mid-September and November to January).
Relative Humidity:
70% to 90%.
Forest cover:
86%.
Best Season:
October to April.
Clothing:
Cottons throughout the year.
Languages Spoken: Nicobari, Bengali, Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Hindi, English.

Places of Interest: Cellular Jail, Anthropological Museum, Marine Museum, Cottage Industries Museum, Mini Zoo, Chatham Saw Mill, Corbyn's Cove Beach, Marine Park, Viper Island, Sippighat water Sports Complex. Excursions: Sippighat Farm- 14 kms, Chiriya Tapu- 30 kms, Wandoor Beach- 30 kms, Havelock Island- 54 kms, Jolly Buoy, Cinque & Red Skin Islands. Reach -
By Air: Connected with Madras, Calcutta and Car Nicobar.

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