Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep (/ləkˈʃɑːdwiːp/; ISO: Lakṣadvīp , formerly known as the Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands (/ˌlækədaɪv ˌmɪnɪkɔɪ ... ˌæmɪnˈdiːvi/),[2] are a group of islands in the Arabian Sea. They belong to India. Their capital is Kavaratti. It covers an area of 11 square miles (28 km²). Eleven of the 36 coral atoll islands of Lakshadweep are inhabited.

Lakshadweep
Union Territory District
Clock wise from top: Agatti Island, Viringili, Kavaratti Island, Bangaram Island
Coordinates: 10.57°N 72.64°E / 10.57; 72.64
Country	India
Formation	1 November 1956
Capital	Kavaratti
Government
• Administrator	Praful Khoda Patel
• MP	Mohammed Faizal P. P. (NCP)
Area
• Total	32.62 km2 (12.59 sq mi)
Area rank	36th
Population  (2021 Census)
• Total	70,365
• Density	2,200/km2 (5,600/sq mi)
Languages[1]
• Official Languages	Malayalam, English
• Spoken	Jeseri, Dhivehi
Ethnicity
• Ethnic groups	≈83% Malayali ≈17% Mahls
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 code	IN-LD
Vehicle registration	LD
No. of districts	1
Largest city	Andrott
HDI	0.796
HDI Year	2005
HDI Category	high
Literacy	91.85%
Website	lakshadweep.gov.in

The islands are the only coral atolls in India. The people living there are Malayalam and Mahl people, who have been influenced by Arab traders. Lakshadweep is a Muslim region just like the neighbouring Maldives, where tourism is strictly regulated. Lakshadweep has the largest percentage of Muslims - 98%, even larger percentage than Jammu and Kashmir and is the only Muslim-majority Indian administrative division entirely within India.

Apart from the emerging tourism, government jobs, fishing and coconut production are the mainstays of the Lakshadweep economy.