Interesting facts

1. Andrott is the largest island in the Lakshadweep archipelago by land area, measuring about 4.90 square kilometers. 2. It is the closest island in Lakshadweep to the Indian mainland, situated approximately 293 km from Kochi, Kerala. 3. Unlike most other islands in Lakshadweep that have a north-south orientation, Andrott is oriented in an east-west direction. 4. The island holds immense historical and religious significance as it is believed to be the first island in Lakshadweep to embrace Islam. 5. It is home to the sacred tomb of Saint Ubaidullah, who is credited with introducing Islam to the islands in the 7th century. 6. Andrott features a very thick vegetation cover, dominated by vast plantations of coconut palms. 7. Unlike many other Lakshadweep islands, Andrott lacks a massive, enclosed lagoon, making it uniquely structured. 8. The local language spoken is Jeseri (also known as Dweep Bhasha), a fascinating blend of Malayalam and Tamil with Arabic influences. 9. Coir twisting and copra (dried coconut) production are the traditional backbones of the local economy. 10. The island operates under a matrilineal kinship system, a cultural trait shared with some communities in nearby Kerala. 11. Due to its lack of a large shallow lagoon, tourism is less developed here compared to islands like Bangaram or Kavaratti, maintaining a more traditional island life. 12. Non-natives, including mainland Indian citizens, require a special entry permit from the government to visit Andrott. 13. Fishing, particularly for tuna, is a major occupation and is traditionally done using the pole-and-line method, which is dolphin-friendly. 14. Bicycles and two-wheelers are the primary modes of transportation on the island due to narrow roads and a small landmass. 15. Alcohol is completely banned on the island, as it is throughout most of the Lakshadweep Union Territory. 16. The Jumaat Mosque in Andrott is one of the oldest and most revered religious sites in the archipelago. 17. The island has an important lighthouse that guides passenger and cargo ships navigating the Arabian Sea. 18. The staple diet revolves heavily around rice, coconut, and freshly caught seafood. 19. High-speed internet is a recent addition, drastically improving through a massive submarine optical fiber cable project connected to Kochi. 20. Historically, the island was part of the Arakkal kingdom of Kannur (the only Muslim royal family of Kerala) before falling under British rule.