Lakshadweep

union territory of India

Lakshadweep (/ləkˈʃɑːdwp/; ISO: audio speaker iconLakṣadvīp , formerly known as the Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands (/ˌlækədv ˌmɪnɪkɔɪ ...ˌæmɪnˈdvi/),[2] are a group of islands in the Arabian Sea. They belong to India. Their capital is Kavaratti. It covers an area of 11 square miles (28 km2). Eleven of the 36 coral atoll islands of Lakshadweep are inhabited.

Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep - Agatti Islands.jpg
Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep 20160325- DSC1780.jpg
Viringili.jpg
Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep, India 20160324- DSC1618.jpg
Clock wise from top: Agatti Island, Viringili, Kavaratti Island, Bangaram Island
Location of Lakshadweep
Location of Lakshadweep
Coordinates: 10°34′N 72°38′E / 10.57°N 72.64°E / 10.57; 72.64Coordinates: 10°34′N 72°38′E / 10.57°N 72.64°E / 10.57; 72.64
Country India
Formation1 November 1956
CapitalKavaratti
Government
 • AdministratorPraful Khoda Patel
 • MPMohammed Faizal P. P. (NCP)
Area
 • Total32.62 km2 (12.59 sq mi)
Area rank36th
Population
 (2021 Census)
 • Total70,365
 • Density2,200/km2 (5,600/sq mi)
Languages[1]
 • Official LanguagesMalayalam, English
 • SpokenJeseri, Dhivehi
Ethnicity
 • Ethnic groups≈83% Malayali
≈17% Mahls
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 codeIN-LD
Vehicle registrationLD
No. of districts1
Largest cityAndrott
HDIIncrease
0.796
HDI Year2005
HDI Categoryhigh
Literacy91.85%
Websitelakshadweep.gov.in

The islands are the only coral atolls in India. The people living there are Malayalam and Mahl people, who have been influenced by Arab traders. Lakshadweep is a Muslim region just like the neighbouring Maldives, where tourism is strictly regulated. Lakshadweep has the largest percentage of Muslims - 98%, even larger percentage than Jammu and Kashmir and is the only Muslim-majority Indian administrative division entirely within India.

Apart from the emerging tourism, government jobs, fishing and coconut production are the mainstays of the Lakshadweep economy.

Territorial symbols of LakshadweepEdit

Other websitesEdit

  1. "50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). 16 July 2014. p. 109. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  2. "The Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands (Alteration Of Name Act), 1973". The Indian Lawyer. 26 August 1973. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.

  Media related to Lakshadweep at Wikimedia Commons