Andaman and Nicobar Islands are two island groups in the eastern Bay of Bengal. They form a Union Territory of India and cover an area of 8,249 square kilometres. The capital, Port Blair, is the only town. It is in the Andaman Islands. Most of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are uninhabited.

The Andaman group consists of 204 islands and lies 120 kilometres north of the Nicobar group. The Andaman Islands are hilly, and most of them are covered with dense forests. The inhabitants obtain matchwood, plywood, hardwood, cane, resins, gums, coconuts, and rubber from the trees. They grow rice in irrigated fields.

There are 19 islands in the Nicobar group. Palm trees abound and, as a result, coconuts and arecanuts, and their derivatives, are important products. Planters also cultivate sugar cane.

Some of the Andaman tribes have little contact with the outside world. Most islanders follow their own religious and tribal customs, although many Nicobarese have been converted to Christianity.

Tourist Centres: Anthropological museum, Marine Museum, Catham Saw Mill, WIMCO factory, Andaman Timber Industries, Zoological garden, Mount Harriet, Chidiya Tapu (bird island), Wandoor Beach, Viper island, Cellular jail and Nilthaman tank, sound and light show at National Memorial. In 1992, the Government decided to open up the island for the foreign tourists.

There are regular air and sea services between the mainland and the islands. Indian Airlines flies from Delhi, Calcutta and Chennai to Port Blair, Ships ply between Calcutta, Madras, Vishakapatnam and Port Blair.