Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an Archipelago (a collection of islands) located 700 Nautical Miles (1300 KM) away from the mainland of India. It is designated as a Union Territory, which means it directly comes under the rule of Central Government. The islands are sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. The islands are close to 3 countries in South-East Asia - Myanmar to the north, Indonesia to the south and Thailand to the east.
There are 572 islands in this territory, out of which only 38 are inhabited. Some of these Islands are not accessible to Tourists, as they are home to indigenous local Tribes that don't want any contact with rest of the world. Port Blair is the capital and the only entry point of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Port Blair is home to Cellular Jail, a large Prison built by the British to imprison and torture Indian Freedom Fighters while isolating them from Mainland India. It was called 'Kaala Pani' Jail (it means Black Water in Hindi) during pre-independence era, as only the hardest of criminals were sent there and were subject to extreme labor and most atrocious punishments. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent pro-independence activist, was kept imprisoned there during the freedom struggle.
Port Blair has also other Tourist attractions worth watching like Anthropology Museum, Aquarium, Science Center, Clock Tower and Corbyn's Cove Beach.
Andamans has several islands famous for water sports like Scuba Diving, Parasailing, Jet Ski and Sea Floor Walking. Out of these, Havelock and Ross Islands are the most popular ones. Havelock Island has Radhanagar Beach, which is known as one of Top 100 beaches in the world. Radhanagar beach was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification in 2020.
No comments:
Post a Comment