Q1. Which of the following is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
a) Car Nicobar
b) Port Blair
c) Mayabunder
d) Diglipur
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Correct Answer: b) Port Blair
Explanation: Port Blair is the capital and largest city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India. It is located on South Andaman Island and serves as the main entry point to the archipelago. The city is approximately 1,190 km from Chennai and 1,255 km from Kolkata.
Q2. How many islands comprise the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago?
a) 572
b) 836
c) 1,024
d) 1,382
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Correct Answer: b) 836
Explanation: The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago consists of 836 islands, islets, and rocks. However, only 31 of these islands are permanently inhabited. The islands are divided into two main groups: the Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south.
Q3. Which channel separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands?
a) Eight Degree Channel
b) Nine Degree Channel
c) Ten Degree Channel
d) Eleven Degree Channel
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Correct Answer: c) Ten Degree Channel
Explanation: The Ten Degree Channel is a 150 km wide channel that separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands. This channel is significant not only geographically but also culturally, as it marks a distinct boundary between the two island groups.
Q4. What is the southernmost point of India located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
a) Indira Point
b) Campbell Bay
c) Pygmalion Point
d) Ross Island
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Correct Answer: a) Indira Point
Explanation: Indira Point, located at the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island, is the southernmost point of India. Its coordinates are 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E. This point is of significant geographical importance and is often mentioned in discussions about India’s territorial extent.
Q5. Which is the only active volcano in India, located in the Andaman Islands?
a) Narcondam Island
b) Barren Island
c) Saddle Peak
d) Mount Harriet
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Correct Answer: b) Barren Island
Explanation: Barren Island is home to the only active volcano in South Asia. Located approximately 135 km northeast of Port Blair, this small 3-km-wide island contains a 1.6-km-wide crater. The volcano has been active since its first recorded eruption in 1787.
Q6. What is the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
a) Dugong
b) Andaman Wild Boar
c) Nicobar Pigeon
d) Saltwater Crocodile
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Correct Answer: a) Dugong
Explanation: The Dugong, also known as the sea cow, is the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These large, gentle marine mammals can be found grazing on sea grass in the warm coastal waters of the islands. They are often referred to as the ‘angels of the sea’.
Q7. Which indigenous tribe of the Andaman Islands is known for its hostility towards outsiders?
a) Jarawa
b) Onge
c) Sentinelese
d) Great Andamanese
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Correct Answer: c) Sentinelese
Explanation: The Sentinelese, inhabiting North Sentinel Island, are known for their extreme isolation and hostility towards outsiders. They are considered one of the most isolated and uncontacted peoples in the world, fiercely rejecting any form of contact with the outside world.
Q8. What is the highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
a) Mount Thullier
b) Mount Harriet
c) Saddle Peak
d) Table Top
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Correct Answer: c) Saddle Peak
Explanation: Saddle Peak, located on North Andaman Island, is the highest point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It reaches an elevation of 732 meters (2,402 feet) above sea level. The peak is part of the Saddle Peak National Park, known for its rich biodiversity.
Q9. Which language is most widely spoken in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
a) Andamanese
b) Nicobarese
c) Bengali
d) Tamil
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Correct Answer: c) Bengali
Explanation: Surprisingly, Bengali is the most widely spoken language in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, followed by Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. This linguistic diversity reflects the islands’ history of settlement and migration from various parts of mainland India.
Q10. What year did the devastating tsunami hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
a) 2002
b) 2004
c) 2006
d) 2008
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Correct Answer: b) 2004
Explanation: On December 26, 2004, a massive tsunami triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia severely impacted the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This natural disaster caused significant loss of life and property, and altered parts of the islands’ geography.