Class and section: 9 G Exam Number: G9716 Submitted to: Sneha Ma’am and Tasneem Ma’am
1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Sneha Ma’am and Tasneem Ma’am for their invaluable guidance and support for this assignment. Their insightful feedback and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping the outcome. I am also grateful to my family and friends for their continuous encouragement. Finally, I extend my appreciation to all those who contributed their time and effort, directly or indirectly, in helping me complete this work successfully. Thank you.
2 CONTENT Andaman Nicobar Islands → Size and Location → Physical Features → Climate → Culture → Food → Political Systems → Government Lakshadweep → Size and Location → Physical Features → Climate → Culture → Food Delhi → Size and Location → Physical Features → Climate → Culture → Food → Political Systems → Government Compare and Contrast → Size and Location → Physical Features → Climate → Culture and Food Bibliography 3 ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India. 38 of its 572 islands are inhabited. The islands are grouped into two main clusters: The northern Andaman Islands and the southern Nicobar Islands. The capital and largest city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair (officially named Sri Vijaya Puram).
SIZE AND LOCATION:
The Islands is located in the Bay of Bengal. They lie to the southeast of the Indian mainland. The northernmost point of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 901km from the mouth of the Hooghly River. Indira Point, the southern tip of Great Nicobar, is the southernmost point of India. Figure 1: By Venkatesh K from Bangalore, India - They share maritime borders with Indonesia Heavenly view, CC BY 2.0, in the south, Myanmar in the northeast and Thailand in the southeast. They occupy approximately 8,249km2 land area with a population of 380,581 as per 2011census [1]. Andaman occupies 6408km2 area of land while Nicobar occupies 1841km2 area of land. The islands have a coastline of 1962km.
PHYSICAL FEATUERES: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are said to be elevated portions of submarine mountains. The highest point in the islands is the Saddle peak, which is 732 m high and located in North Andaman. The only active volcano in India, Barren Island, is located in the Andaman Sea.
4 The islands have sandy, rocky sandstone or marshy beaches on the coastlines and might be surrounded by coral reefs. The altitude varies significantly from completely flat islands to gradually raising topography from the coast to the interior in larger islands.
CLIMATE: The average range of temperature of the islands throughout the year is 23°C to 31°C. They experience a tropical climate with warm summers. The 3000mm rain they receive annually is dependent on the monsoons, and tropical cyclones are common in late summer.
CULTURE: Andaman and Nicobar Island is a cultural hub of India. Their mixed population of Negroid and Mongoloid settlers and indigenous people of the islands introduced the unique and diverse culture to the union territory and the great significance of the peaceful coexistence of these cultures. People from all religions constitute of the population. Regardless of the apparent differences between each religion, all religious festivals are celebrated. Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, Shivaratri, etc. are celebrated with enthusiasm while the Muslim community celebrates Eid wholeheartedly. Christmas is also an important festival in the region. The union territory also celebrates World Tourism Day to promote the tourism sector. Film Festivals are also organized annually to promote the art of film making among youngsters. Literature festivals have also started taking place since 2019 to promote the importance of literary art in the region. 5 The Andamanese have their own folk music. Their remarkable music does not follow any style or let it get influenced by western culture. All their songs are accompanied by dance. The oldest dance form is Nicobari. It is performed during the Ossuary Feast or Pig Festival. It is there way of showing respect to departed souls. FOOD: Andaman and Nicobar’s cuisine is highly influenced by seafood and coastal ingredients due to their location. The food is also heavily impacted by the diversity in religion and traditions. These influences can be acknowledged through the tasty, spicy, textured food of the islands. Recognizing the population of tribal communities in Andaman and Nicobar, their food habits are not well known but their diet mainly compromises of wild boar and fish. Apart from the seafood and Indian cuisines, fresh tropical fruits and vegetables are key food for vegetarians. Mangoes, bananas, pineapples and guava are very prominent in this region. The Annual Food Festival showcases the exquisite cuisine of the archipelago.
POLITICAL SYSTEMS: The political system of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is structured as a Union Territory (UT) under the direct administration of India's central government. The region is governed by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India, with administrative matters overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
6 GOVERNMENT: The Lieutenant Governor serves as chief administrator and represents the central government in the UT. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lack an elected legislative assembly. Governance decisions are made through central directives and the LG's office. The territory is divided into three districts: North and Middle Andaman, South Andaman, and Nicobar. Each district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner who manages local administration and developmental projects. Panchayati Raj institutions operate in rural areas, facilitating local-level governance.
7 LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS Lakshadweep is a union territory of India, 36 of its islands are divided into three island subgroups: The Amindivi, The Laccadive and Minicoy. Its capital city is Kavaratti and its largest city is Andrott.
SIZE AND LOCATION:
The Lakshadweep islands are located in the Arabian Sea close to the Malabar Coast of Kerala. The Amindivis are the northernmost islands of the group and Minicoy Island is the southernmost island. It is surrounded by the Arabian sea to the west and the Laccadive sea to the east. The islands occupy approximately 32.62km2 area of land with a population of 64, 473 as per 2011 census. Its coastline is 132km long.
PHYSICAL FEATURES: Lakshadweep is a combination of islands, coral reefs, atolls, lagoons and beaches. These islands have been formed because of the coral gathering on the volcanic crests in the Indian Ocean that have been submerged long time back. The soil of Lakshadweep is formed due to the disintegration of limestones from the corals and sedimentary rocks.
8 CLIMATE: Lakshadweep experiences a tropical climate. Its temperature vary from 20 °C to 32 °C. Cyclones moving across the Arabian Sea rarely strike the islands. However, the winds and waves associated with them can alter the land features considerably.
CULTURE: The culture of the Lakshadweep Islands is deeply influenced by Islamic traditions, with the majority of the population adhering to Islam. Celebrations such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are marked with communal prayers, feasts, and vibrant traditional performances like Kolkali and Lava dances. The islands also have a rich heritage of music and folk songs associated with various life events such as births and marriages. Handicrafts, including coir products and jewelry made from seashells and corals, showcase the creative traditions of the islands. The cuisine features a blend of coastal and Kerala-inspired dishes, including delicacies like tuna curries and coconut-based recipes. Social structures and rituals are unique, often reflecting a mix of Islamic and local customs
9 FOOD: The cuisine of Lakshadweep shows its rich marine resources with a tropical geography. The local diet is dominated by a variety of seafood, mainly tuna- based dishes like mas huni, lobster masala, squid fry, and many others that are fresh and simple in island cooking. Coconut is the other main ingredient, available in various forms, which includes coconut milk, grated coconut, and oil used in a number of savory items like Coconut Prawns and sweets like sweet coconut pancakes. A flavor from the combination of South Indian, Maldivian, and Arab cuisine creates items like Samak Mouli and Kurukku Kalan. Rice and tapioca meals are the staple one and spices like mustard seeds and curry leaves add flair to them.
POLITICAL SYSTEM: The political system in Lakshadweep is structured under the Union Territory governance model of India. The islands were designated as a Union Territory in 1956, with administrative control vested in a centrally appointed Administrator. Initially, administrative operations were conducted from Kozhikode (Kerala) but later shifted to Kavaratti, the territory’s capital, in 1964. The High Court of Kerala serves as the judiciary for Lakshadweep.
GOVERNMENT: Local governance is facilitated through the Panchayati Raj system, introduced in 1994 under the Lakshadweep Panchayats Regulation. This system includes 10 Village (Dweep) Panchayats and a District Panchayat,
10 enabling some degree of self-administration for the inhabited islands. However, recent governance changes, including new development regulations, have sparked public resistance, as residents perceive them to centralize power and impact the region's ecological and cultural balance
11 DELHI Delhi, the capital city of India, is a union territory in India. Delhi became a UT on 1 November 1956. The city of Delhi actually consists of two components: Old Delhi, in the north and New Delhi, in the south.
SIZE AND LOCATION:
Delhi occupies 1484km2 area of land with a population over 11 million. The union territory shares borders with Uttar Pradesh in the east and Haryana in the remaining directions. Delhi lies at the intersection of the Gangetic plains and the Delhi Ridge, a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Hills.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF DELHI:
The Yamuna floodplains are fertile and prone to seasonal flooding, while the ridge, often called Delhi’s "green lungs," consists of rocky, forested outcrops that act as a natural barrier against desertification. These contrasting features give Delhi a unique mix of flat alluvial plains and elevated rocky terrains, influencing its climate, vegetation, and settlement pattern.
12 CLIMATE: Delhi experiences an extreme climate with significant seasonal variations. Summers, from April to June, are intensely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 45°C. Winters, lasting from December to February, are cold, with temperatures dropping as low as 5°C and occasional dense fog. The monsoon season, from July to September, brings relief with an average annual rainfall of about 800 mm, though it can lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas. The city also experiences a brief transition of pleasant weather in spring and autumn. Delhi’s semi-arid to humid subtropical climate is influenced by its location on the northern plains of India
CULTURE: Known for its vibrant art, music, and dance traditions, Delhi hosts classical performances and contemporary cultural festivals. Historic monuments like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar stand alongside modern landmarks, symbolizing Delhi’s blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Religious diversity is evident in its temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and churches, which coexist harmoniously
13 FOOD: The food culture in Delhi represents a vibrant mix of flavors, influenced by the city's historical legacy and population diversity. Renowned for Mughlai cuisine, the city offers dishes like kebabs, biryanis, and butter chicken, thus showcasing the rich culinary history inherited from the Mughal period. Street food is one of the hallmarks, and chaat, golgappas, and paranthas dominate the local taste buds. The diversity of communities in the city contributes to an array of cuisines: from Punjabi and South Indian to Bengali specialties, besides international ones. Places to go to for food range from the ever-popular Chandni Chowk to modern cafes in Hauz Khas, a dynamic presentation of traditional recipes with modern innovations.
POLITICAL SYSTEM: Delhi, the capital of India, has a unique political system that combines both state and central governance. It functions as a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly, which has the power to make laws on most subjects except matters related to defense, foreign affairs, and communications.
GOVERNMENT: While Delhi has an elected Chief Minister and a Legislative Assembly responsible for areas like health, education, and transport, the Lieutenant
14 Governor (LG), appointed by the President of India, exercises executive authority over matters related to the central government
15 COMPARE AND CONTRAST:
SIZE AND LOCATION:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, with 572 islands spread over 8,249 km², significantly larger than Lakshadweep but smaller compared to Delhi. Lakshadweep, situated in the Arabian Sea, is much smaller, covering only 32.62 km², with 36 islands. Delhi covers 1,484 km² and lies at the intersection of the Gangetic plains and the Delhi Ridge, far more populous and urbanized than the other two territories, with a population exceeding 11 million.
PHYSICAL FEATURES: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are characterized by elevated portions of submarine mountains, sandy beaches, and coral reefs, with the highest point being Saddle Peak. Lakshadweep consists mainly of coral atolls and lagoons. Delhi combines fertile floodplains with rocky elevated terrains, with the "green lungs" of Delhi, the ridge, playing a key role in preventing desertification.
CLIMATE: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 31°C and heavy monsoon rains. Lakshadweep also experiences a tropical climate, with similar temperatures and occasional cyclones. Delhi has a more extreme climate, with hot summers (up to 45°C), cold winters, and a monsoon season.
16 CULTURE AND FOOD: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands exhibit a blend of diverse cultures, influenced by both indigenous populations and settlers from various regions. Its cuisine is seafood-heavy, with wild boar and fish forming staples. Lakshadweep's culture is largely shaped by Islamic traditions, with its cuisine featuring seafood, rice, and coconut-based dishes, influenced by South Indian and Maldivian traditions Delhi is a melting pot of various cultures, with its cuisine renowned for Mughlai dishes like kebabs and biryanis, alongside a rich street food culture.
