Floating in splendid isolation, east of the Indian mainland, is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is spread over a distance nearly 800 Kms. from North to South with 38 inhabited islands. A hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and an endless variety of exotic flora & fauna. The rare avifauna, underwater marine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream view of the rare gifts of nature. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract many nature-lover. A visit to these islands is a memorable experience. 

Since pre-historic times, these islands have been the home of aboriginal tribes. But the first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, the year after the First War of Indian Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan and SriLanka as well as ex-servicemen 

A clear history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be had only from a British Survey of these islands conducted in 1777. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for centuries. These islands remained secluded from the mainland till the end of the 18th Century when people from the outside world first arrived. The history of these islands could be divided into four broad periods 

the period of seclusion and piratical disturbances 
the British regime - a period of foreign intrusion and settlement 
the Japanese regime and 
the Post-Independence period. 
In the Second Century, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were located in the maps prepared by the great Greek astronomer, mathematician and geographer, Claudius Ptolemaeus, which possibly is the earliest reference to these islands. The early history of Nicobar is not well known although these islands were familiar to traders in ancient times, the islands being situated close to the trade route to the Far East. Though little is known about Portuguese activities in these islands, it is evident that the Portuguese missionaries started preaching Christianity among the islanders. The Nicobarese language also reflects a few Portuguese words.