The Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Lush tropical forests, crystal clear waters and some of the best beaches in the world, make these islands an unspoiled paradise. Situated 1000km east of India in the Bay of Bengal, the tritory is comprised of hundreds of islands, thirty-eight of which are inhabited. The British, during their brief colonial rule, used some of the islands as a penal colony giving rise to its former name ‘Kalapani’ (Black Waters). In addition to its intriguing colonial past, some of the island"s are home to a number of indigenous paleolithic tribal peoples who share the land with a vast array of flora and fauna. Many species are endemic due to the island"s geographical isolation.