The enchanting group of coral islands in the Arabian Sea forms the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. This archipelago consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. Of its 36 islands, only ten are inhabited. The islands, earlier known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi, are irregularly scattered between 8° and 12°.30' north latitude and between 71° and 74° east longitude, away from Kozhikode by about 200 to 400 kms. The islands which were administrated at various places were grouped into a Union Territory in 1956 and the name of this Union Territory was changed to ‘Lakshadweep’ with effect from November 1,1973. In 1964, the administration was shifted from Kozhikode to Kavaratti island.

According to geologists, these islands are a continuation of the Aravali system of rocks of Rajasthan and Gujarat through the banks of the Gulf of Cambay and through the Agaria banks further south. Little is known about their sub-surface geology. Their tops are built of coral reefs. Accumulation of corals is being continued even now.

Lakshadweep has extensive lagoons with an area about 4,200 sq km, 2,000 sq km of territorial waters and a very large area of economic zone.Its 36 islands together have an area of 32 sq km. According to the 1991 census, Lakshadweep has a population of 51,707 people of which 94 per cent is Muslims and majority of them belongs to the Sufi school of the Sunni sect. The island has one of the highest literacy rates. In fact, 81.78 per cent population is literate. The entire native population of Lakshadweep group of islands, because of their difficult economic and social conditions, has been classified as Scheduled Tribes. As such, 93 per cent of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribe category.

This territory, though known as Laccadives, Minicoy and Amindivi islands till recently, was popularly called ‘Laccadives’ or ‘Lakshadweep’. The origin of the name remains obscure. The colloquial term is interpreted as a hundred thousand isles. The Dutch records describe the islands as ‘Lekker Diva’ and British records as ‘Laccadives’. The local people called themselves as inhabitants of the ‘Divis’ until very recently.

The flora in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep include banana, vazha (musa paradisiaca), colocasia, chambu (colocassia antiquarum), drumstick morningakkai (morings cleifera), bread fruit, chakka (artocarpus incisa) and badam (terminalia catappa). The marine life of the sea is vast and difficult to describe briefly. The commonly seen vertebrates are cattle and poultry birds. Oceanic birds generally found in Lakshadweep are tharathasi (sterna fuscata) and karifety (anous stolidus). They are generally found in the uninhabited Pitti island. Pitti island has been declared as a birds’ sanctuary.

The coral atolls have two important mineral deposits— the phosphate deposits (guano) in the islands and the calcium carbonate in the lagoons. The lagoons and the adjacent areas of Lakshadweep are found to have algae which is of great economic importance.

These islands have a tropical humid, warm and generally pleasant climate becoming more equatorial in the southern islands of the territory. The climate is equable with no distinct well-marked seasons. South-west monsoon period is the chief rainy season which lasts from late May to early October. The average rainfall at Minicoy is approximately 1640 mm while Amini has about 1504 mm. The rainfall in the southern islands is more evenly distributed than over the north island. April and May are the hottest months in the year, with the mean daily maximum temperature around 31°c at Minicoy and 33°c at Amini.

Lakshadweep is a multilingual union territory. Eleven languages specified in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution are spoken as mother- tongues. Of these, Malayalam is predominant and is the mother-tongue of the local people except those in Minicoy who speak Mahl language. Other languages like Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Oriya, Tamil,Telugu, Konkoni, Urdu and English are also spoken by the migrant population.

The women have a higher social status and economic freedom here than elsewhere in the country. The matrilineal system of inheritance under which the property descends through the female line, saves the women from economic dependence. Customarily the husband is obliged to make an annual payment towards the upkeep of his wife which is a part of the marriage settlement and contract. A wife can demand divorce on grounds of non-payment of customary dues. Divorce is no social stigma nor is it a disqualification for a woman to seek fresh matrimonial alliance.

For a lover of sea beaches, scenic beauty and serene surroundings, Lakshadweep group of islands have a lot to offer. The administration is making conscious efforts to promote tourism. Laksdhadweep is already on the tourism map of India. A visit to the island is an enriching and rewarding experience.