Until the 18th century the Andaman and the Nicobars were largely isolated islands inhabited by an indigineous population unspoilt for many thousand years. Today most of the islands are part of India with few in the north belonging to Burma. Some of the islands were used as supply bases when old Indian empires faught over the control of the spice route 1000 years ago. Some of the islands were later turned into penal colonies by British ingenuity.
Since 200 years the indiginous population is rapidly declining and today the islands are populated by immigrants from India with the government trying to encourage tourism recently. It is possible to sail there with a special permit of the Indian administration. The Nicobars to the south are still mostly off limits for foreigners due to military installations and protective measurements of the Indian administration. The region is teeming with endemic species of birds, reptiles and mammals. Diving is exquisite and many islands are yet unspoilt and offer pristine conditions.
