Lakshadweep Basic Facts

Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory of India located in the Arabian Sea and consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. It was also known as the Laccadive Island is a group of 36 islands in the Laccadive Sea.

The name literally means “a hundred thousand islands” in Sanskrit (laksha = lakh, hundred thousand. dweep = island).  It has ten inhabited islands, 17 uninhabited islands attached islets  and thirty- two sq. km of land spread over 36 islands surrounded by 4200 sq. km of lagoon rich in marine wealth. Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep and is the major tourist attraction. The other popular islands that act as great tourist destinations are  Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kiltan and Minicoy . The major communities that reside at Lakshadweep are Aminidivi, Koyas, Malmis and Malacheris.

Coconut is the only major crop and and fishing is another major activity, the sea around the island is highly productive. Coconut fibre extraction and conversion of its fibre products is the main industry in the islands. Under government sector there are seven coir fibre factories, seven coir production-cum-demonstration centres and four fibre curling units, functioning under the coir sector.

Related posts:

1. MV Kavaratti – new passenger ship between Kochi and Lakshadweep