Lakshadweep is an archipelago located 200-400 km west of the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. The archipelago consists of 36 main islands, many smaller islands, coral atolls and coral reefs. It is the smallest union territory in India. Lakshadweepmeans a hundred thousand islands in the local language, Malayalam. Earlier the name Lakshadweepa referred to the three archipelagos in the Indian Ocean the present Lakshadweep, Maldives and Suvadives.
Only ten of the Lakshadweep islands are inhabited and more than 90 percent of the indigenous population is Muslim. The main economic activities are fishing, coconut cultivation and coir twisting. Tourism is an emerging industry. Tourists require an entry permit to visit Lakshadweep; the permit is issued at Kochi (in Kerala). Foreign nationals are allowed only in Kadmat, Bangaram and Agatti islands. Agatti is connected to Kochi by air and sea; in fact Agatti is the gateway to LakshadweepIslands with the only airport of the archipelago.
Kavaratti, the administrative headquarter is the most developed island. Its attractions include the Ujra mosque, marine aquarium, beaches and water sports. Kalpeni is known for the largest lagoon among Lakshadweep islands; the lagoon is good for kayaking and boating. Minicoy is located in southern Lakshadwep and its culture has affinity to that of Maldives. The language here is Mahl, which is a form of Divehi, the language of Maldives. Kadmat has lagoons both on its western and eastern peripheries. The island boasts of a water sports institute and a diving school. Bangaram is the only uninhabited island open to tourists. A short distance fromAgatti Island, it can be reached by speedboat. Scuba diving, coral formations and a variety of fishes are the main attractions of Bangaram.
