Agatti Island Explained

Agatti
Map:India3#India Lakshadweep
Coordinates:10.5°N 73°W
Location:Arabian Sea
Island Type:Atoll
Archipelago:Lakshadweep
Waterbody:Indian Ocean
Total Islands:2
Area Km2:3.226
Area Footnotes:[1]
Length Km:7.6
Width Km:0.85
Coastline Km:17
Elevation M:2
Country: India
Country Admin Divisions Title:Territory
Country Admin Divisions:Union territory of Lakshadweep
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:District
Country Admin Divisions 1:Lakshadweep
Country Admin Divisions Title 2:Island group
Country Admin Divisions 2:Laccadive Islands
Country Admin Divisions Title 3:Tehsils of India
Country Admin Divisions 3:Kavaratti
Country Admin Divisions Title 4:Subdivisions of India
Country Admin Divisions 4:Agatti Island
Country Largest City:Agatti
Country Largest City Population:7500
Population:7700
Population As Of:2014
Density Km2:2386
Ethnic Groups:Malayali, Mahls
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code:682553
Area Code Type:Telephone code
Area Code:04894
Iso Code Type:ISO code
Iso Code:IN-LD-06[2]
Additional Info:
Child:yes
Label2:Literacy
Data2:84.4%
Label3:Avg. summer temperature
Data3:32°C
Label4:Avg. winter temperature
Data4:28°C
Label5:Sex ratio
Data5:1.059/

Agatti Island is a 7.6 km long island, situated on a coral atoll called Agatti atoll in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. It is 459km (285miles) west of the city of Kochi.

Geography

Agatti is located about 364 km off Kannur, 394 km off Kozhikode, and 459 km (285 mi) off Kochi in the mainland and 7 km to the southwest of Bangaram, the nearest island. Agatti is 531 km away from Kollam (Quilon) and 529 km away from Kollam Port.[3] Kavaratti, the closest inhabited island, lies 54 km to the SE and Suheli Par atoll 76 km to the south. Agatti Atoll's total land area is 3.226km2 (of it, The main island 3.141km2 and the small Kalpatti Island has 0.085km2. Kalpatti is located at the southern end on the same reef.[4] The lagoon area is 24.84km2.

Population

Its population in the 2011 census was 7,560, and Islam is the main religion of the islanders.[5] Islamic religion is said to have been brought by Arab traveller Ibn Batuta. Most people speak Malayalam, English and Tamil. Agatti has its own 100 kW powerhouse which uses fuel to generate electricity. There is a desalination unit which provides desalinated water to the islanders.

Transportation

Sea

Lakshadweep is connected to Cochin by sea route. Seven passenger ships operate between the two ports and it takes 14–20 hours for the passage.[6]

Air

The 1400m (4,600feet) Agatti Airport is the only airport in Lakshadweep.[7] [8]

Tourism

Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep islands open to tourism. Visitors, however, are allowed to the Island under certain restrictions. They are required to obtain Entry Permit from the Lakshadweep Administration for entering or visiting the island. Entry Permit is issued based on the visitor having a confirmed place to stay. There are only two hotels or resorts in Agatti: Agatti Island Beach Resort (AIBER)[9] and the other is Sea Shells Beach Resort.[10] [11] A road runs through the island, which can be best enjoyed by hiring a bicycle available at many places.Water sports activities such as scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, sportfishing, yachting and night sea voyages are popular activities among tourists. Tourists flock to these islands throughout the year, except during the southwest monsoon months when seas are extremely rough.

Administration

The island belongs to the township of Agatti Island of Kavaratti Tehsil.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census . Government of Lakshadweep . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160722061135/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/lakshadweep/data%20sheet.pdf . 2016-07-22 .
  2. Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code
  3. https://www.google.co.in/?gws_rd=ssl#q=agatti+island+to+kollam+distance Kollam to Agatti
  4. Web site: Oceandots - Agatti . 2011-11-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/indian/lakshadweep/agatti.php . 2010-12-23 .
  5. http://www.webindia123.com/territories/lakshadweep/land/islands.htm Web123India
  6. Web site: How to reach Lakshadweep . Official Website of Union Territory of Lakshwadeep . 29 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141231102317/http://lakshadweep.nic.in/howtoreach.html . 31 December 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: Alliance Air . 29 December 2014.
  8. Web site: How to reach Lakshadweep . Official Website of Union Territory of Lakshadweep . 29 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141231102317/http://lakshadweep.nic.in/howtoreach.html . 31 December 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  9. http://www.agattiislandresorts.com/ Resort
  10. http://shells-beach-resort-agatti-lakshadweep.hotelsgds.com/ Resort
  11. http://www.indiatravelite.com/kerala/seashellsbeachresortagatti.htm Resort
  12. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163348/http://lakshadweep.gov.in/Area-Population.PDF Tehsils info