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Area |
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32 sq km |
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Union Territory Portal |
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Population |
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60,650 |
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Capital |
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Kavaratti |
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Principal Languages |
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Jeseri (Dweep Bhasha) and Mahal |
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HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
Not much is known about the early history of these islands. The islands that were supposed to have been inhabited first are Amini, Andrott, Kavaratti, and Agatti. It was earlier believed that the islanders were originally Hindus, and later converted to Islam under the influence of Arab traders, sometime in the 14th century. But Archaeological evidences unearthed indicate that there were Buddhist settlements around the 6th or 7th century. Earliest Muslim converts or settlers pre-date the year 139 AH of the Hijra year (eighth century), of which period grave stones have recently been discovered in Agatti. This would tend to bear out the traditional belief that Islam was brought to the Island by Arab Saint, Ubaidulla in 41 AH.
Probably independent till 16th century, the Islands were driven to seek the assistance of Raja of Chirakal to help them avert establishment of Portuguese domination. This enabled him to establish his authority, and later, the islands were transferred in jaggier to Ali Raja, head of Moplah community in Cannanore, who later became an independent ruler himself. The Arakkal rule was not popular and in 1787, Tipu Sultan acceded to the petitions of the Northern islands to annex these islands. After the fall of Tipu Sultan, the Islands were passed to East India Company, but continued to be ruled de facto by the rulers of Cannanore, till their ultimate annexation by the British in the early 20th century. In 1956, the islands were constituted into a single territory, and since then, have been directly administered by the Union Government through an Administrator. The Laccadives, Minicoy and Amindivi group of islands were renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973. Lakshadweep, a group of coral islands consist of 12 atolls, three reefs and submerged sand banks. Of the 27 islands, only 11 are inhabited. These lie scattered in the Arabian Sea about 280 km to 480 km off Kerala coast between 8° and 12° 3' North Latitude and 71° and 74° East Longitude.
AGRICULTURE
Coconut is the only major crop with a production of 553 lakh nuts per year. The area under cultivation is about 2,669 hectares. Lakshadweep coconut is branded as an organic product. In India, Lakshadweep stands first in coconut production, and productivity per hector is 19,667 per ha, and average yield per palm per year is 97 nuts. The Lakshadweep coconuts are the highest oil content nuts in the world (82 per cent).
FISHERIES
Fishing is another major activity in Lakshadweep. The sea around the island is highly productive. The Islands stand first in the country in per capita availability of fish.
INDUSTRIES
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 centers, and four fibre curling units, functioning under coir sector. These units produce coir fibre and coir yarn in addition to other coir products like curled fibre, corridor mat, mat and mattings. Small coir units are also functioning under private sector in different islands.
TRANSPORT
M.V. Tipu Sultan, M.V. Bharat Seema, M.V. Dweep Setu, M.V. Amindivi and M.V. Minicoy are some of the passenger ships that carry passengers to and from the islands to Cochin and Beypore ports. M.V. Ubaidulla, M.V. Thinnakara, M.V. Laccadives and M.V. Cheriyam carry cargo to islands from mainland. M.V. Suheli 60 MT oil barge is mainly utilised for providing bunker (fuel) to inter island ferry vessels. Kadeeja Beevi and Hameedathbi ply between all islands other than Minicoy. Besides these, there is a helicopter ambulance service between the islands and the mainland. Indian Airlines connect Agatti and Kochi daily, except Sunday, and Agatti and Goa thrice a week (on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) during fair season.
TOURIST CENTRES
Tourism in Lakshadweep is developing into an important industry. Important tourist places are Agatti, Bangaram, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kavaratti and Minicoy, etc.
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