Lakshadweep Facts and Information
General Information
| Capital | Kavaratti |
|---|---|
| Formation Date | 1 November 1956 |
| Largest City | Andrott |
| Name | Lakshadweep (Union Territory) |
| Name Meaning | 'One hundred thousand islands' in Sanskrit |
| Number of Islands | 36 (10 inhabited) |
| Official Languages | Malayalam, English |
Government and Administration
| Administrator | Praful Khoda Patel |
|---|---|
| High Court | Kerala High Court |
| Legislature | No legislative assembly |
| Lok Sabha Seats | 1 |
| Rajya Sabha Seats | 0 |
Geography and Environment
| Area | 32.62 km² (smallest UT) |
|---|---|
| Climate | Tropical, oceanic |
| Coastline | 132 km |
| Coral Atolls | 12 coral atolls |
| Location | Arabian Sea, ~440 km off Kerala coast |
| Marine Biodiversity | Extensive coral reefs |
Demographics and Social Structure
| Density | ~2,013/km² |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate | 91.85% (one of highest in India) |
| Population (2011 Census) | 64,473 |
| Religion | Sunni Muslim majority (~96%) |
| Sex Ratio | 947 |
| Tribes | Scheduled Tribe status for ~95% of population |
Economy and Industry
| Major Product | Tuna fish, copra (dried coconut) |
|---|---|
| Major Sector | Fisheries, coconut production, tourism |
| Tourism | Regulated to protect ecology |
Education and Research
| Higher Education | Tied to Kerala universities |
|---|---|
| Research Stations | Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute |
Infrastructure and Connectivity
| Cable Connection | Submarine optical fiber from Kochi (2024) |
|---|---|
| Inter-island Travel | Boats, ships from Kochi |
| Major Airport | Agatti Airport (only airport in UT) |
Culture and Heritage
| Cuisine | Mas Huni (smoked tuna), coconut-based dishes |
|---|---|
| Cultural Mix | Influenced by Kerala and Arab maritime traditions |
| Major Festival | Eid, Onam (partially), Muharram |
| Music & Dance | Kolkali, Parichakali (martial dance) |
Tourism and Places of Interest
| Beaches | Agatti, Bangaram, Kavaratti, Minicoy |
|---|---|
| Diving Spots | World-class coral reef diving |
| Lighthouse | Minicoy Lighthouse (110-year-old British era) |
| Marine Park | Coral atolls protected as marine reserves |
Fun facts
| Coral Atolls | India's only coral atoll group |
|---|---|
| Marine Biodiversity | Home to 4 of India's coral reef ecosystems |
| Smallest UT | By area, Lakshadweep is India's smallest UT |