The Indian Islands
The Indian Islands refer to the group of islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
These islands form an important part of the territory of India.
They are broadly divided into two main groups:
- The Bay of Bengal Island Groups
- The Arabian Sea Island Groups
Table of Contents
The Bay Of Bengal Island Groups
The Bay of Bengal Island Groups mainly include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This island group consists of about 572 islands.
It extends from 6° N to 14° N and from 92° E to 94° E.
The two principal island groups are:
- Ritchie’s Archipelago
- Labyrinth Islands
These islands cover a distance of about 590 Km with a maximum width of about 58 Km.
The entire island group is divided into two distinct groups:
- The Andaman Islands in the north
- The Nicobar Islands in the south
These islands were formed due to the collision between the Indian Plate and the Burma Plate.
Physical Features Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered the southward extension of the Arakan Yoma Range of Myanmar.
They are elevated portions of submarine mountains.
Some smaller islands are volcanic in origin.
Barren Island, the only active volcano in India, is located in the Andaman Island group.
The Andaman and Nicobar groups are separated by the Ten Degree Channel.
The coastline has coral deposits and beautiful beaches.
These islands receive convectional rainfall and have equatorial type vegetation.
Important Peaks Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands
| Peak | Location | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Saddle Peak | North Andaman | 738 m |
| Mount Diavolo | Middle Andaman | 515 m |
| Mount Koyob | South Andaman | 460 m |
| Mount Thuiller | Great Nicobar | 642 m |
The Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands have a length of around 260 Km and width of around 30 Km.
They are divided into three sub-groups:
- North Andaman
- Middle Andaman
- South Andaman
The two major archipelagos of this group are:
- Little Andaman
- Great Andaman
These two are separated by the Duncan Passage, which is about 50 Km wide.
The capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair, is located in South Andaman.
Saddle Peak in North Andaman is the highest peak of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Only 24 islands are inhabited in this group.
The Dugong, a sea mammal, is the state animal of Andaman Islands. It is indigenous to the Indo-Pacific seacoast regions, especially the Andaman Islands.
The Nicobar Islands
The Nicobar Islands are scattered over a length of about 262 Km with a maximum width of 58 Km.
They cover an area of about 1653 sq. Km.
The Nicobar Islands have three major sub-groups:
- Northern Group
- Central Group
- Southern Group
Among these, Great Nicobar is the largest island.
Great Nicobar is also the southernmost island of the group.
India’s southernmost point, Indira Point or Pygmalion Point, is located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar.
Only 12 islands are inhabited in the Nicobar group.
The indigenous ethnic groups of this region are:
- Nicobarese
- Shompen
Most of these islands have volcanic origin and are made of tertiary sandstone, limestone and shale.
Barren Island And Narcondam Island
The Barren Island and Narcondam Island are located north of Port Blair.
Both are volcanic islands.
Barren Island is the only active volcano in India.
Narcondam Island is an extinct or possibly dormant volcano.
Most islands in this region are mountainous and have considerable height.
Some islands are fringed with coral reefs.
Mount Thuiller is the highest point in the Nicobar Islands at 642 m.
Renamed Islands
The names of three islands were changed in 2018.
The name of Port Blair has been changed to Sri Vijaya Puram.
| Old Name | New Name |
|---|---|
| Ross Island | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep |
| Neil Island | Shaheed Dweep |
| Havelock Island | Swaraj Dweep |
The Arabian Sea Island Groups
The Arabian Sea Islands mainly include the Lakshadweep group, with Minicoy at its southern end.
These islands are scattered between 8° N to 12° N and 71° E to 74° E.
They are located about 280 Km to 480 Km off the Kerala coast.
The entire island group is built of coral deposits.
The Lakshadweep Islands
Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory of India.
Its capital is Kavaratti.
These islands are part of Reunion Hotspot Volcanism.
They are located in the Arabian Sea, close to the Malabar Coast of Kerala.
The extent of Lakshadweep is about 32 Km, stretching from 8° to 12°20′ N and 71°45′ to 74° E.
The Lakshadweep group consists of approximately 36 islands, of which 10 are inhabited.
The PDF also notes that Lakshadweep literally means “one lakh islands,” but the Lakshadweep islands actually consist of a group of 25 small islands.
The Lakshadweep Islands are broadly divided into three groups:
- Amindivi Islands
- Cannanore Islands or Laccadive Islands
- Minicoy Island
Amindivi Islands
The Amindivi Islands are the northernmost island group of Lakshadweep.
This group is geographically divided from:
- Laccadive Islands by the 11th parallel north
- Minicoy Island by the 9° Channel
Cannanore Islands Or Laccadive Islands
The Cannanore Islands, also called Laccadive Islands, are located south of the Amindivi Islands.
They form an inhabited island group in Lakshadweep.
Minicoy Island
Minicoy Island is located in the extreme south of Lakshadweep.
It has coral origin and is surrounded by fringing reefs.
Its topography is flat.
There is complete absence of major relief features such as:
- Hills
- Streams
- Valleys
Minicoy is separated from the rest of Lakshadweep by the Nine Degree Channel.
Minicoy is the largest island in terms of length and population, with an area of about 4.8 sq. Km.
Important Islands And Their Locations
| Island | Location |
|---|---|
| Abdul Kalam Islands | Near the mouth of Brahmani and Baitarni in Odisha |
| Nalabana Islands | In Chilika Lake, Odisha |
| Hope Islands | Formed by sediments brought by Koringa, a tributary of Godavari, in Andhra Pradesh |
| Sriharikota Island | Located near Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh |
| Pamban Islands | Located in the Gulf of Mannar |
| Willingdon Island | Kerala, Vembanad Lake |
| Aaliya Island | Gulf of Khambat near the estuary of Narmada |
| Butcher / Jawahar Island | Thane Creek near Elephanta Island |
| Salsette / Coconut Island | On the Arabian Sea in Maharashtra; Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located on this island |
FAQs On The Indian Islands
What are the two main groups of Indian Islands?
The two main groups are the Bay of Bengal Island Groups and the Arabian Sea Island Groups.
Which islands are included in the Bay of Bengal Island Groups?
The Bay of Bengal Island Groups mainly include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
How many islands are there in the Andaman and Nicobar group?
The Andaman and Nicobar group consists of about 572 islands.
What separates the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands?
The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands.
Which is the only active volcano in India?
Barren Island is the only active volcano in India.
Where is Port Blair located?
Port Blair, now Sri Vijaya Puram, is located in South Andaman.
Which is the highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Saddle Peak in North Andaman is the highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Where is Indira Point located?
Indira Point is located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island.
Which ethnic groups are found in Nicobar Islands?
The indigenous ethnic groups are Nicobarese and Shompen.
Which islands were renamed in 2018?
Ross Island was renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.
Which is the smallest Union Territory of India?
Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory of India.
What is the capital of Lakshadweep?
Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep.
What is the origin of Lakshadweep Islands?
Lakshadweep Islands are built of coral deposits and are linked with Reunion Hotspot Volcanism.
What are the three main groups of Lakshadweep?
The three groups are Amindivi Islands, Cannanore or Laccadive Islands and Minicoy Island.
What separates Minicoy from the rest of Lakshadweep?
The Nine Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the rest of Lakshadweep.
Where is Sriharikota Island located?
Sriharikota Island is located near Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – The Indian Islands
- Indian Islands are broadly divided into Bay of Bengal Island Groups and Arabian Sea Island Groups.
- Bay of Bengal Island Groups mainly include Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands consist of about 572 islands.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands were formed due to collision between Indian Plate and Burma Plate.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated by the Ten Degree Channel.
- Barren Island is the only active volcano in India.
- Port Blair, now Sri Vijaya Puram, is located in South Andaman.
- Saddle Peak in North Andaman is the highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Great Nicobar is the largest and southernmost island of the Nicobar group.
- Indira Point or Pygmalion Point is located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar.
- Nicobarese and Shompen are indigenous ethnic groups of Nicobar Islands.
- Ross Island, Neil Island and Havelock Island were renamed in 2018.
- Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory of India.
- Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep.
- Lakshadweep islands are built of coral deposits.
- Lakshadweep is divided into Amindivi Islands, Cannanore/Laccadive Islands and Minicoy Island.
- Minicoy is separated from the rest of Lakshadweep by the Nine Degree Channel.
- Sriharikota Island is located near Pulicat Lake and is associated with ISRO’s launch station.