The Nicobar Islands are a group of tropical islands in the eastern Indian Ocean, located southeast of the Bay of Bengal. The Nicobar Islands form the southern part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago and are administered as a union territory of India. The islands consist of numerous small islands and islets covered largely by dense tropical forests and surrounded by coral reefs and coastal mangroves.
Population:
Approximately 40,000 people, including several Indigenous communities such as the Nicobarese and the Shompen, many of whom maintain traditional ways of life.
Brief History:
The islands were inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European contact. Various colonial powers showed interest in the region, but the islands eventually came under British control during the colonial period in India. After India gained independence in 1947, the Nicobar Islands became part of the Indian-administered Andaman and Nicobar territory.
Current Day:
Today the Nicobar Islands are sparsely populated and relatively isolated. Access to many areas is restricted in order to protect Indigenous communities and sensitive ecosystems. The islands are known for rich biodiversity, tropical forests, and strategic maritime location in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Image Credit: By Taken from Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL), originally from CIA Indian Ocean Atlas. [Accessed 13/03/26]
