Lakshadweep is the Indian Paradise of the tropics and lies on the 71 to 74 degrees East Longitude and 80 and 12 degrees and thirty minutes North Latitude. The entire area of Lakshadweep from end to end enclosed twelve atolls, five under water banks and three reefs along with thirty six islands off the shore of the Indian Peninsula in the Arabian Sea. They lie just about two hundred and twenty kilometers to four hundred and forty kilometers stretched from Kochi, a coastal city lying along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala.
People of Lakshadweep
The total population of the island put together is just about 64,429 persons as per the Census of India 2011. The segregation of the population on the basis of sex shows that there were 33,106 males who outnumbered the figure of the females which stood at 31,323. The density of the population on an average of the Lakshadweep islands is estimated to range from five hundred persons per square kilometer to two thousand five hundred persons per square kilometer in certain places. The majority religion of the islands is Islam as larger proportions of the Lakshadweep population is Muslim while there is a representation of the Hindus as well as some Christians also among these islanders.According to the Census of Indian 2011 the literacy rate recorded in Lakshadweep is 92.28 per cent which is quite high as compared to the national in average.
The capital of the Lakshadweep islands is Kavaratti while Lakshadweep as a whole forms the smallest of the Union Territories of the Indian Union. The area STD code of the Lakshadweep islands has been established as 0486.
Climate of Lakshadweep
The climate of Lakshadweep has earned it the fond title of being a ‘Tropical Paradise’. The temperatures range from being 22 degrees to 35 degrees centigrade and contribute towards making the islands sultry, yet comfortable. There is warm and pleasant weather all the year around. The balmy sunshine in winter is most inviting and even during the summers the heat is tolerable. The most comfortable outdoor season on the island is from May to September as both the sea and land are inviting with all their treasures of corals and huge variety of flora and fauna besides the silken, silver beaches.The entire scenario is one of scenic beauty of the azure skies, the silver sands, the deep green of the palms and the unfathomable blue shades of sea spreading far into the horizon. The most attractive aspect of the beaches is the long strolls one may take under the majesty of the wonderful palms as the balmy sea breezes soothe the inner turmoil of all who visit the islands for a holiday. During the months of October to November there is every possibility. There being some light rain showers only in the monsoon months.
Types of Soil in Lakshadweep
The Lakshadweep islands have the unique position of having lots of coral atolls that contribute calcium and other minerals to the rich volcanic soil. Almost the entire Lakshadweep soil is saturated with limestones. The coral residue rich soil is silvery white and stretches all across the beaches of the islands. The contrast of the limestone enriched soil and the volcanic substratum of the interior of the islands can be seen as one observes from the edge of the beach inwards across the islands. The glistening white soil gradually turns ash colored as one travels away from the beach. The Lakshadweep island group has twelve coral reefs in the form of atolls which contribute a lot of calcium carbonate as a constant secretion. When the corals disintegrate they form coral dust which merges with the soil of the islands further enriching it.On this minerals enriched soil grow a number of exotic and succulent delicacies typical of this region like Vazha, Chakka, Bread Fruit, Chambu, Wild Almond, Thevga, Kanni, Chavok, Colocassia and Punna besides the coconut and banana plantains.
Facts and Figures of Lakshadweep
The Lakshadweep islands are 36 in number and are spread over an area that encompasses 32square kilometers. There is a huge variety of flora and fauna that contributes to the biodiversity of the beautiful islands. The atolls have Bitra as the smallest atolls and Minicoy falling to the southernmost location as compared to the Indian Peninsula.The twelve atolls that have formed on the islands and which are still inhabited are named Viringili, Kodithala, Cheriyam, Pitti, Tilakkam, Thinnakara, Kalpitti, Parali, Suheli, Valiya Kara, Bangaram, Cherya Kara, and Pitti which is also called the Birds Island.
The coral reefs which are largely formed of corals that thrive on plankton, water, air, sunlight and 20 degree Celsius temperature.
The overall geography of the Lakshadweep islands is conducive to the settlement of human population. The most attractive geographical feature of these Lakshadweep islands are the corals enriched atolls as well the biodiversity represented by the several varieties of flora and fauna.
