Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal in Indian territory is among the most unspoiled of places on this earth. With dense forests, pristine beaches, clear waters and Mother Nature to take care, it presents an enchanting picture!

How did Andaman & Nicobar get its name?

The name Andaman presumably comes from Hanuman, who is a powerful Hindu god Hanuman. Indian legend traces the name Andaman to a derivation of Handuman or Hanuman the Monkey God of the epic Ramayana, who is said to have used these islands as stepping stones on his way to Sri Lanka, to save Goddess Sita, consort of Lord Rama. The name Nicobar  means ‘land of the people' in   Malay language.

Location and Geography

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a Union Territory of India. It is located in the Indian Ocean, in the southern reaches of the Bay of Bengal. It is comprised of two island groups -the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. 

The capital of this Union Territory is the Andaman town of Port Blair.  Andaman and Nicobar Islands stretches from the southern tip of Burma all the way down south till Sumatra in Indonesia. It is believed that Marco Polo was among the first from the West to set foot on one of the islands.

Islands everywhere!

Andaman and Nicobar, is like a glittering jewel, casually scattered on the velvety carpet.  It is a group of 572 Islands & islets and rocks spread over in Bay of Bengal covering an area of 8249 sq km over a distance of 780 km of ocean from North to South.

The ANI form the peaks of a vast submerged mountain range that extends between Myanmar and Sumatra. The group of islands is sometimes referred to as A & N or ANI. 

A & N lies 193 km away from Cape Negrais in Myanmar, 1255 km from Calcutta, and 1190 km from Chennai. The Nicobar Islands are located to the south of the Andaman, 121 km from the Little Andaman Island. The southern group - the Nicobar Islands is mostly inaccessible to tourists.

Use the links below to explore Andaman & Nicobar: