¤ About Nicobar
The lovely beaches and coral beds of Andaman islands are a traveler's delight. At Port Blair, the capital of Andaman, the Cellular Jail and Anthropological Museum merit a visit. Excursions can be taken to the beautiful islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy and to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo. The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands consisting of about 293 islands (39 of which are inhabited) is situated in the Bay of Bengal. The white sandy beaches have a back drop of luxuriant greenery & in the clear blue waters of the lagoons enclosed by coral reefs is an underwater world full of fish of every possible variety. The existence of these islands was first reported in the 9th century by Arab merchants, who sailed past them, on their way to the straits of Sumatra. The first Western visitor was Marco Polo, who called it `the land of the head - hunters'. The islands were annexed by the Marathas in the late 17th century. In the early 18th century, the islands were the base of Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre, whose navy frequently captured British, Dutch and Portugese merchant ships. Angre remained undefeated by the combined British / Portuguese naval task force, right up to his death in 1729. The Nicobar Islands were annexed by Britain in 1869 and were joined with the Andaman Islands to form a single administrative unit in 1872. Japanese forces occupied the islands from 1942 until the end of World War in 1945, and control of the territory was transferred to India when it gained independence from Britain in 1947.

Andaman and Nicobar islands are popularly known as the . Emerald Isles. . The erstwhile 'Kaala Paani' or the Cellular Jail, now a museum is the most popular tourist spot. Other places of tourist interest include National Memorial, Marine Museum, Naval Marine Museum, Smrithika Museum, Haddo Zoological Garden, Corbyn's Cove, and other beaches, and Humphrey Gunj Memorial. Andaman Water Sports Complex at Port Blair. Chatam Saw Mill (largest in Asia), Chidiya Tapu, Marine Museum, the island of red Skibn, and Havelock are the other attractions. Corbyn's Cove, Wandoor beach, Sippighat water sports complex, Cinque island, and Jolly Buoy island are some adventurous spots on the island.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, home to a number of aboriginal tribes, lie in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 1,220 km south east of the coast of West Bengal and 1,190 km east of Madras. The main islands in the Andamans are Land Fall Island, Middle Andaman, South Andaman, Port Blair and Little Andaman. Nicobar, lying to the south, comprises of Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar, Chowra, Teresa, Nancowrie, Katchal and Little Nicobar. The two groups of islands, Andaman and Nicobar, are separated by a deep ten degree channel. 12 of the islands, particularly Car Nicobar in the north, are inhabited, while Great Nicobar, the largest and southernmost island in the group, is virtually uninhabited. The capital of this Union Territory is Port Blair, on the Andaman Islands.

The Andamans have immense potential but they are not being tapped properly. The development has been insignificant but the population has increased alarmingly. Luxurious rainforests make the Andamans a 'gold mine' of timber. Tropical fruits are found on the hilly parts of the islands in abundance, while the fishery potential here, offers industrial possibilities. Paddy is the main cash crop here, while coconut and arecanut are the main cash crops of the Nicobar islands. Field crops namely pulses, oilseeds and vegetables and spices like pepper, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon are also cultivated. Rubber, red oil, palm and cashew are grown on a limited scale on these islands. The major industries in the region include PVC conduit pipes and fittings, paints and varnishes, fibre glass, soft drinks and beverages, and steel furniture. Port Blair is connected by Indian Airlines with Madras, Calcutta and Car Nicobar. East-West Airlines operate flights on Madras-Port Blair route on tuesday, thursday and saturday. Regular passenger ship services viz. M.V.Harshavardhana, M.V.Akbar and M.V.Nicobar are plying between Port Blair and Madras (1190 km), Calcutta (1255 kms), Vizag (1200 kms).

¤ Major Tourist Attractions of Nicobar
The main attractions of Nicobar Island are Cellular Jail, Anthropological Museum, Marine Museum, Cottage Industries Museum, Mini Zoo, Chatham Saw Mill, Corbyn's Cove Beach, Marine Park, Viper Island, Sippighat water Sports Complex.