1. Tourism
One of the things that drive the economy of Andaman is its tourism. A large majority of Andaman citizens use tourism as a source of revenue. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are famous all over the world. The islands gather thousands of tourists every year. It is a tourist favorite.
History
The formation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was due to a collision between Burma Minor Plate and Indian Plate. Studies show that the population of Andaman was isolated from other populations over 30,000 years ago. However, the latest archaeological evidence goes back to 2200 years ago.
Andaman had gone through a lot of struggles in its early years. On May 17, 1859, the Battle of Aberdeen occurred. Andamanese tribes fought against the British. Regrettably, the Andamanese were betrayed by a cellular jail escapee. They were outnumbered, and they lost. As of today, to give a tribute to the tribesmen who died, a memorial has been built at the Andaman Water Sports Complex.
Andaman also experienced another bloodied history during the cellular jail. The cellular jail was built to imprison the freedom fighters. Thousands of prisoners were persecuted and killed. Today, the Cellular Jail is a tourist attraction. It is one of the most famous places to visit when going to Andaman. Although it became a tourist attraction, many people still view it as a painful part of Andaman history.
Geography
Andaman is an archipelago that is found northeast of the Indian Ocean. It is about 130 kilometers southwest of the Ayeyarwady Region. Nicobar is located at the south of Andaman. The combination of Andaman and Nicobar's geography constitutes a maritime boundary between the Andaman Sea, which is found at the east, and the Bay of Bengal, which is located to the west. The majority of the islands found in that area are part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the islands found in the north, Preparis Island and Coco Islands, are owned by Myanmar.
Geographical Importance
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a huge geographical importance. Geopolitically speaking, the connection between South-East Asia and South Asia is created by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The islands of Andaman and Nicobar control the Bay of Bengal, the Ten Degree Channels, and the Six Degree Channels. These channels are traveled by more than sixty thousand vessels every year. This increases the importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands geographically. Although The Andaman and Nicobar Islands may only make up 0.2% of the landmass in India, the islands make up about 30% of India’s EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone.
Flora and Fauna
Andaman has one of the most unique flora and fauna of the world. Nearly 86% of the islands are covered in trees and forests. Almost 2000 species of plants are found on the islands, and nearly 1,300 of those are endemic. Some of those plants are not even found in other regions of India.
The fauna of the islands is also very spectacular. There are nearly 240 species of birds. The unique animals found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands attract tourists every year. The flora and fauna of the islands are two of the most common reasons why tourists love this place.
People and Food
There are four tribes in the Andaman Islands – the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, and Sentinelese. Unlike the modern civilization, the people of the tribes usually hunt for their own food; and they do not use fire much.
When traveling to Andaman, you will have many food options. However, the option you must try is seafood.
2. Best Time To Visit Andaman
You can visit Andaman at any time of the year. However, you will not be assured that you will have the best time of your life. There are times at which it is best to visit Andaman.
Although Andaman has a tropical climate, it also has monsoons. The best time to visit Andaman is between October and May. At this time of the year, the weather can be considered perfect. It is not too dry and not too rainy. It is pleasant. You will be able to enjoy a lot of activities in this weather.
It is not recommended to go to Andaman between June to September. This time of the year is the monsoon. Because of that, the waves will be very high; and the wind will be very strong.
Between October and May is the best time to go to Andaman. Although Andaman has a good weather on usual, the weather will be more than perfect at this time of the year.
How To Reach
One of the fastest ways to reach Andaman is by air. Your best chance at reaching Andaman fast is by fight. If you wish to take direct flights to Andaman, you can take a flight from Kolkata, Bangaluru, or Chennai. The distance from one of these places to Andaman should take around 2.5 hours. If you wish to reach Kolkata or Chennai, you can take a flight from Dehli. The time travel should last approximately 5 hours
There are several schedules at which you can take a flight. At Chennai, for example, there are flights available from 5am to 12pm.
Another way to reach Andaman is by sea. There are ships that go from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, or Kolkata to Port Blair. The schedules are usually announced a month prior. The boat trip to Port Blair should last around 50 to 60 hours, so make sure you bring a book or two with you.
Veer Savarkar International Airport
Veer Savarkar International Airport is the main airport of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located in India.
If you are flying to Andaman, it is very probable that you will pass through this airport. This airport is the most famous airport in Andaman. Compared to other airports in more prominent countries of the world, this airport could be considered small. However, it is charming.
This airport is located just 2 kilometers south of Port Blair. The fact that the airport is located so close to Port Blair can be convenient. Before the airport was named Veer Savarkar International Airport, it was first name Port Blair Airport. However, the name was changed in 2002. The name was inspired by a freedom fighter called Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. He was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail for 10 years.
Veer Savarkar International Airport is the main airport found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Travel Tips
Andaman is a great place to travel to. However, if you want to make the best out of your trip to Andaman, you need to have the best traveling tips.
When you pack for Andaman, make sure to bring a large suitcase. Although the weather in Andaman may be tropical throughout the whole year, there are different seasons. Even if you travel in Andaman during the season when it is not rainy, make sure that you bring an item of clothing or two that can protect you during the rain. Additionally, make sure to bring all the essential things you need.
Another tip is to exchange your currency for Indian Rupees. Make sure that you have Indian Rupee cash with you. Although it may sound unnecessary, you never know what will happen.
Additionally, do not travel to restricted areas of the island. There is a reason why those places are restricted. Going to those places may cause you harm and problems.
Covid- 19 Updates
From last year, everyone is tired of staying at home but at the same time, many people are afraid to travel because of the Covid-19. However, you need not worry about this factor since Travel Buddy takes care of all safety measures from your arrival to departure. Furthermore, in Andaman, the situation is under control. In the Andaman Islands, the total cases are around five thousand, and tourism is reopened in February 2021. However, Andaman and Nicobar governments have made RT PCR negative test reports compulsory for every tourist. The RTPCR negative report must be provided by the ICMR recognized labs. Hence, before arriving at the Port Blair airport, go through the RTPCR test and travel only if you got Covid 19 negative report. This is essential to experience smooth arrival and keep the islands Covid 19 positive cases
