Andaman Islands

Andaman Islands 

an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Part of the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The largest islands are Northern, Middle, South, and Little Andaman. The area of the islands is 6,500 sq km. The islands are peaks of an underwater mountain chain which is an extension of the Rakkhain (Arakan Yoma) Range. In places they are surrounded by coral reefs. There is a volcano on Barren Island. The relief is low-mountain dissected; elevations reach 732 m (Saddle Peak). The islands are covered with humid evergreen tropical forests. On the eastern side there are convenient bays. Coconut palms and rice are cultivated, and there is exploitation of forest land. The indigenous inhabitants of the Andaman Islands are the Anda-manese, who engage in hunting and fishing. Valuable lumber and copra are exported. The only city is Port Blair.