The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India. It consists of 836 islands grouped into two island groups, the northern Andaman Islands, and the southern Nicobar Islands, separated by a 150 km (93 mi) wide channel of which only 31 are inhabited. The islands are sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east with the northern-most point located 901 km (560 mi) from the mouth of Hooghly River. Indira Point at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E at the southern tip of Great Nicobar is the southernmost point of India.
Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India in the Bay of Bengal. Port Blair serves as the entry point for visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is home to several museums and THE major naval base INS Jarawa of the Indian Navy, along with sea and air bases of the Indian Coast Guard, Andaman and Nicobar Police, Andaman, and Nicobar Command, the first integrated tri-command| of the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Air Force. The historic Cellular Jail is in the city, and nearby small islands such as Corbyn’s Cove, Wandoor, Ross Island and Viper Island were once home to British colonists.
Swaraj Dweep, earlier known as Havelock Island, is one of the largest islands in Ritchie’s Archipelago, to the east of Great Andaman within the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island is 41 km (25 mi) northeast of the capital city, Port Blair. Radhanagar Beach on the western coast, also known as Number 7 Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on Swaraj and was named “Best Beach in Asia” by Time in 2004.
