Which island group of India lies in the Arabian Sea?
a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
b) Lakshadweep Islands
c) Maldives
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: b) Lakshadweep Islands
Explanation
-
Lakshadweep Islands: Located off the southwestern Malabar Coast of mainland India, Lakshadweep is India’s smallest Union Territory and lies entirely within the Arabian Sea.
-
Coral Origin: It is a archipelago composed of 36 coral islands, atolls, and reefs, spanning a total land area of just 32 square kilometers. Its administrative capital is Kavaratti.
-
Sub-groups: The island chain is broadly divided into three main groups from north to south:
-
Amindivi Islands (northern group)
-
Laccadive (Cannanore) Islands (central group)
-
Minicoy Island (southernmost island, separated from the rest by the Nine Degree Channel).
-
Overview of Other Options
-
a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India’s eastern island territory, located in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
-
c) Maldives: An independent island nation situated in the Indian Ocean, located south of India’s Lakshadweep (Minicoy) across the Eight Degree Channel.
-
d) Sri Lanka: An independent island nation off the southeastern coast of Peninsular India, separated by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar.
