Nicobar Islands, Island group in Bay of Bengal, India
The Nicobar Islands are an island group in India, stretching roughly 186 miles (300 kilometers) across the eastern Indian Ocean and comprising 12 inhabited and 24 uninhabited islands. The largest island, Car Nicobar, sits at the northern end of the group, while the southern islands like Katchal and Great Nicobar are more densely forested and cover larger land areas.
Danish traders established a colony on the islands in the 18th century but abandoned it after repeated conflicts with the locals. Following annexation by the British crown, the islands became part of the penal colony for Indian prisoners before being transferred to the new Indian state in 1947.
The Nicobarese live mostly in stilt houses built from bamboo and palm wood, raised off the ground to protect against floods and animals. In many villages you can see handcrafted outrigger canoes on the beach, still used for fishing today.
Access requires a special permit from the Indian government, which should be requested several weeks in advance. Some islands remain completely closed to visitors, and even in accessible areas there are strict stay restrictions to protect indigenous communities.
The coconut is recognized as legal tender here and can be used to pay taxes and fees. This regulation dates back to a time when islanders had little access to Indian currency and relied on barter trade.
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