Andrott Island had been known as 'Divanduru' in the past, a name that is found in some old French maps. It belongs to the Laccadive Islands subgroup, which had been historically a part of the Arakkal Kingdom.[4] It was the first island to embrace Islam.
Geography
Andrott Island is the nearest to the mainland from all the islands in the group[5] and it is also the longest, as well as the biggest (area-wise) island.
It is located approximately 219 kilometres (136 mi) from Kannur, 234 kilometres (145 mi) from Kozhikode, and 293 kilometres (182 mi) from Kochi.[6] The island has an area of 4.98 square kilometres (1.92 sq mi) and is the only island of the group to have a west–east orientation.[6] It has a lagoon area of 6.6 km2 (2.5 sq mi).
Demographics
Most of the inhabitants are Muslims with a presence of Hindu minority. The Saint Ubaidullah who is believed to have preached Islam in Lakshadweep Islands, died here. His remains are entombed in the Jumah mosque.[7]
The island also houses several Buddhist archaeological remains.[6]
^Singh VS, Sarwade DV, Mondal NC, Nanadakumar MV, Singh B (October 2008). "Evaluation of groundwater resources in a tiny Andrott Island, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India". Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 158 (1–4): 145–54. doi:10.1007/s10661-008-0569-y. PMID18839323.
^Geneviève Bouchon, Mamale de Cananor, Librairie Droz, ISBN9782600033541, p. 40
