Port Blair

Port Blair is the capital of the 350 odd islands that comprise the Andaman and Nicobar group. Visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a unique and exhilarating experience. Spectacular scenery, white sandy beaches and swaying palms combine with monuments and museums, world-class diving, swimming and sun basking make this a truly out-of-the-world experience. The Archipelago contains 362 volcanic islands scattered in the Bay of Bengal, with only 37 of these being inhabited. These lush green islands have a colourful historical past, with a string of invasions by the French, Dutch, Japanese and British and wars between settlers and the native tribes. The Cellular Jail, where hundreds of Indian revolutionaries were imprisoned during the Indian freedom struggle, still stands tall. The tropical rain forests that loom close to the seashore are home to unique species of birds, and to tribes that still haven't learned to use fire.

Port Blair is about 778 miles (1,255 km) from Kolkata (Calcutta) and some 738 miles (1,191 km) from Chennai (Madras). The city lies on the hilly southeastern Andaman Sea coast of South Andaman Island. The eastern, northern, and northeastern parts of the town are more than 100 feet (30 metres) above sea level; the western part is relatively lower and slopes toward a fine natural harbour. Port Blair receives an average rainfall of about 127 inches (3,180 mm) and has a mean temperature in the mid-80s F (about 30 °C).

Port Blair is a market town with a sawmill, several local museums, and an airport; tourism is important. The Aberdeen Bazaar makes up the central part of the town, where most of the hotels, shops, and bus depots are located. Older homes made of timber and tin and built on raised platforms are found around the central area. Places of interest include the Chatham Sawmill; a zoo housing rare species of birds; Sippighat Farm, a government-owned facility used for agricultural research (mainly the cultivation of spices); Viper Island, where the ruins of a jail stand on a hilltop; Corbyn’s Cove, northeast of central Port Blair on the seacoast; and the coastal Madhuban area farther to the northeast. Nearby Ross Island was developed by the British. A matchstick factory is located at Haddo, and a marine engineering workshop is at Phoenix Bay. The city is also home to a naval base and coast guard and air force installations. Pop. (2001) 99,984; (2011) 108,058.