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About one thousand kilometres from the eastern coasts of the Indian peninsula, washed by the the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal is the tropical paradise of Andaman and Nicobar, a chain of 570 volcanic islands dotting a stretch of 700 kilometres between 14° and 6° North and 92° and 94° East. Isolated from the mainland, it is a different world out there: a world of sunny beaches fringed with coconut groves, of small emerald islands full of exotic birds and rare species of plants, of relaxation and water sports...
Home of six different tribes of Negroid and Mongoloid origin, some of which have shun any contact with civilization, these islands had been largely left to themselves for many centuries until the British set up naval bases here. Today Andaman and Nicobar has all modern facilities for tourists to enjoy the warmth and luxuries of unspoilt nature
Chiriya Tapu
Chiriya Tapu, 35 Km South of Port Blair is also known as Birds Island because of plentiful winged denizens. It is at the southern most tip of South Andaman. The scenic beauty and a fine beach at Chota Balu makes this place a major tourist attraction as picnic spot and line fishing. There are lush green mangroves with ocean around present a breath taking sight. On top of a hillock is a guest house commanding spectacular panorama of isolated islands and submerged corals.
Rutland Island
Rutland Island is a big Island in area. In the past, war like Jarawas inhabited the area. But now they have been segregated in other areas.
Carbyn's Cove
It is 10km from Port Blair, 4 km from airport. It is a crescent shaped beach ideal for picnic and bathing. The Andaman Beach resort run by the Travel Corporation is on the outskirts of this beach. It provides accommodation to visitors.
The Viper Island
The Viper Island, near Haddo Wharf, is at the mouth of Port Blair harbour is on 69 acres crescent shaped place. Once a full-fledged prison for local and mainland convicts, the Island had a gallows on top of a hillock. The Jail was abandoned after commissioning of cellular Jail. The island serves as a tourist attraction. It is known as Viper Island because of the presence of Viper snakes in the past.
Car Nicobar
Car Nicobar is a flat Island of 129 sq.km. Big Lapati, a village in this island is the parent village from where Nicobarese grew and fanned themselves out. The religion of most of the Nicobarese is Christianity. Bishop John Richardson who passed away at the age of one hundred is responsible for the conversion.
Nancourie
It is an Island of the most magnificent natural harbour along with Camrota and Trinket. Nancourie Island has an area of about 67sq.kms. On one side of Nancourie is Camrota Island which is the administrative headquarter of the Nancourie group. Ram Lachmi, the chief of Camrota and Nancourie lives here though there is not much of a tribal leader about her and she dresses like any other person on the mainland.
Katchal
It is the most developed Island with an area of 175sq.kms and the majority of the population are Scheduled Tribe. The soil is good and rubber plantation is thriving. The Island of Pullomillor is a market for copra and bettle nuts. The beach is extremely beautiful .
Kondul
Kondul is a small Island to the north of Great Nicobar and is known for good canoes.
Daman, also known as Damão, is an enclave on the western coast of India, surrounded by Valsad district of Gujarat on the north, east and south and the Arabian Sea to the west. The district has an area of 72 km², and a population of 113,949 (2001 census), which increased 83% between 1991 and 2001. Daman lies at the mouth of the Daman Ganga River. Major industries have factories here. The closest railway station is Vapi (7 km). It is also famous for its beach, Portuguese architecture, and church, and for the scenic beauty in the twin cities of Nani-Daman and Moti-Daman, which lie opposite each other across the Daman Ganga. The chief occupation has been fishing. The city of Surat lies to the north, and Mumbai lies approximately 160 km (100 mi) south of Daman on the Arabian Sea coast in Maharashtra state.
Daman was occupied by the Portuguese in 1531, and was formally ceded to Portugal in 1539 by the Sultan of Gujarat. It remained a Portuguese possession until it was occupied by Indian forces on 19 December 1961.
Daman city ie Moti Daman and Nani Daman which was once connected with a bridge over Damanganga collapsed during Monsoon on 28th August 2003. Several Children and Teachers of Convent School, Moti Daman died. The Government Constructed a New Bridge Costing 80 Million Rupees was washed away within 3 months of its Inaugration again because of the torrential Monsoon rains.
Recently many families started immigrating to London via Portugal for a better life.
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