The Laccadive Island, renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973, are located in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Kerala, some 200 to 300 km away. They consist of 36 coral islands, out of which only ten are inhabited, covering a land area of 32 sq. km in totality.

They are, it descending order of size, Minicoy, Andrott, Kavaratti, Kadmat, Agatti, Amini, Kalpeni, Kilten, Chetlat and Bitra.

The main islands are Kavarrati, Minicoy and Amini. In all, the archipelago offers good facilities for cruising and swimming in the crystal-clear water of the lagoons.

The historical record shows that around the 7^th century a Muslim saint was shipwrecked on the island of Amini. The inhabitants were converted to Islam despite initial opposition. The islands from the smallest Union Territories and was constituted in 1956.

Entry Lakshadweep is restricted except for bonafide tourists.