South Andaman Island is the southernmost island of the Great Andaman and is home to the majority of the population of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the location of Sri Vijaya Puram, capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
History South Andaman Island was struck by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, leading to many deaths on the island.
Geography The island belongs to the Great Andaman Chain. Some areas of the island are restricted areas for non-Indians; however, transit permits can be obtained from the Home Ministry. South Andaman is the third largest island in the island group. It is located immediately south of Middle Andaman Island and Baratang, from which it is separated only by a narrow channel, a few hundred metres wide. The island is long and at its widest part. Its area is . South Andaman is less mountainous than the more northerly of the Andaman Islands. Koiob reaches a height of above sea level. map
Administration Politically, South Andaman Island has the tehsils of Ferrargunj and Sri Vijaya Puram.
Demographics Port Blair, the capital of the islands, is located on the southern part of this island. Other big cities are : Bambooflat, Prothrapur, and Garacharma. South Andaman had a population of at the 2011 census. The effective literacy rate (i.e. the literacy rate of population excluding children aged 6 and below) is 89.13.
Tourism South Andaman plays very important role in the tourism sector as it serves as an entry point to the Andamans. There are many tour operators and travel agencies in Port Blair.
+ Demographics (2011 Census) Total Male Female Population 209602 111980 97622 Children aged below 6 years 21498 10954 10544 Scheduled caste 0 0 0 Scheduled tribe 2553 1287 1266 Literates 168924 93717 75207 Workers (all) 85131 68143 16988 Main workers (total) 75885 61685 14200 Main workers: Cultivators 3054 2130 924 Main workers: Agricultural labourers 1229 1042 187 Main workers: Household industry workers 624 463 161 Main workers: Other 70978 58050 12928 Marginal workers (total) 9246 6458 2788 Marginal workers: Cultivators 412 293 119 Marginal workers: Agricultural labourers 613 465 148 Marginal workers: Household industry workers 181 103 78 Marginal workers: Others 8040 5597 2443 Non-workers 124471 43837 80634
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