10 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About the Andaman Islands

The ultimate tropical paradise, this archipelago of over 500 islands is known for its white sandy beaches and spectacularly stunning turquoise waters.And the best part? You can blissfully soak it all in from the idyllic, palm-fringed shores! Despite their small size, the Andaman Islands are full of surprises. Here are 10 interesting facts you might not know about the Andaman Islands.

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#1 Bengali is the most widely-spoken language here

You might have thought that the most widely spoken languages across the Andaman Islands would be Andamanese or Ongan. Wrong! Bengali is the most dominant language, followed by Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

#2 Commercial fishing is banned in the surrounding seas

In an effort to preserve underwater flora and fauna, including indigenous marine life such as dugongs, giant sea turtles, and the rich coral reserves, commercial fishing in the waters surrounding the Andaman Islands has been banned.

#3 The Andaman Islands are home to Asia’s only active volcano

On the uninhabited Barren Island, about 135 kilometres from Port Blair, is where you will find Asia’s only known active volcano. Barren Volcano first erupted in 1787 and then in 2010—an eruption that lasted six months. It’s known to spew lava in smaller eruptions since then.

#4 It  is  illegal to interact with the Jarawa tribals

In parts of the South and Middle Andaman Islands, the nomadic Jarawa are a protected tribe with a population ranging between 250 and 400 individuals. Any attempt to interact with this isolated tribe, who themselves shun contact with outsiders, is deemed illegal.

#5 Andaman’s name originates from the Ramayana

Ever wondered how the Andaman Islands got its name? It’s believed that the name is derived from Lord Hanuman, who is said to have halted in the region on his way to Lanka. Famous islands such as Neil and Ross are named after British engineers, dating back to the East India Company. Who knew!

#6 The islands were an active war zone during the World War II

The serenity of the Andaman Islands was disrupted during the World War II, when Japan controlled the region before giving it up to the British in 1945. The Museum of the Japanese Occupation in Port Blair documents the events of the active war zone at the time.

#7 Andaman is home to the largest crabs in the world!

The hermit crabs, or Birgus Latro as they are scientifically called, are the largest known anthropods that stay mostly on land. They are also known as coconut crabs, robber crabs and palm thieves. The Andaman Islands are home to the highest number of these crustaceans.

#8 Parts of Andaman Islands sank underwater after the 2004 tsunami

The devastating 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean did a lot of damage to the Andaman Islands. There was both loss of life and land. The tsunami that followed the earthquake took away 4.25 metres of land from the archipelago’s southernmost tip known as Indira Point.

#9 The islands are a nesting site for the endangered leatherback sea turtles

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all living turtles, a distinction that’s hard to miss! Every year, hundreds, if not more, make their way to the Andaman Islands to nest. To give you an idea of their massive size, adults typically measure between 1 to 1.75 meters in length and weigh between 250 to 700 kilograms.

#10 The mud volcanoes of the Andamans are the only ones of their kind in India

Believe it or not, but the sight of bubbling mud is a major attraction in the Andaman Islands. The mud volcanoes on Baratang Island are the only ones of their kind in India, and are formed because of chemical reactions between water and gases under the surface. Spewing once in a while, the mud craters are quite the geological phenomenon.

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