Geography of Andaman

Geography of Andaman & Nicobar comprises of two groups of islands- the Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Islands. The Andaman Islands consists of 572 islands. The islands separate the Andaman Sea from the Indian Ocean. About 26 islands are inhabited by humans. The Nicobar group of islands, located to the south of Andaman Islands comprises of 22 major islands. Only 12 islands are inhabited by humans. Labyrinth Islands and Ritchie’s Archipelago are the two major islets belonging to the family of the Nicobar group of islands.

The Ten Degree Channel divides the The Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman Islands spreads over an area of 6,408 square kilometers while the Nicobar Islands spans over an area of 1,841 square kilometers.

Terrain

Andaman & Nicobar islands are dotted by mountainous terrain,long hilly ranges and narrow valleys. The maximum altitude of these islands is at Saddle Peak made of sandstone, limestone and clay. It perched at an altitude of 730m above sea level.

Shallow seas and coral reef surround the Nicobar Islands. The topography of Nicobar Islands comprises of a long stretch of sandy beaches. Katchal and Car Nicobar are marked by flat terrain. Great Nicobar and Little Nicobar are known for irregular land with steep hills and valleys.

Climate

ANDAMAN NIRMAN WEATHER

These islands are marked by tropical type of Climate which remains humid and warm throughout the year.

Flora and Fauna

Thick forests are spread over about 90 percent area of Andaman & Nicobar islands.These forests are the treasure- house of about 3,000 variety species belonging to various plants. Some of the popular plants are woody climbers, mangroves, timbers and a large variety of tropical fruits. These islands are also the abode of the giant evergreen forest, wet bamboo brakes, tropical evergreen forest, mangrove forest and the moist deciduous forest of Andaman.

These tropical rain forests are the home to various animals such as wild boar, 14 species of bats, 26 species of rodents, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and leopard. There are also 270 species of birds which include Andaman Hawk Owl, Andaman Crake and Brown Coucal. The dense forests also provide shelter to 225 species of butterflies and moths teeming.