Great Nicobar

Great Nicobar (known to its indigenous inhabitants as Tokieong Long) is the largest of the Nicobar Islands of India, north of Sumatra. Indira Point, its southernmost tip, is also the southernmost point of India. The island covers 1045 km² but is sparsely inhabited, largely being covered by rainforest and known for its diverse wildlife.

Mount Thullier on the island has the highest elevation of the Nicobars, at 642 m above sea level.

The majority of the island is designated as biosphere reserve —the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve— home to many unique and endemic species of plants and animals including the Nicobar scrubfowl ("Megapodius nicobariensis", a megapode bird), the Edible-nest Swiftlet ("Aerodramus fuciphagus"), the Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque ("Macaca fascicularis umbrosa"), saltwater crocodile ("Crocodylus porosus"), Giant Leatherback Sea Turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea"), Malayan box turtle, Nicobar tree shrew, reticulated python ("Python reticulatus") and the giant robber crab (or coconut crab, "Birgus latro").

The island was severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami with many deaths, and was cut off from all outside contact for more than a day.

External links

* [http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/03tsunami2.htm "Nicobar completely devastated" - from rediff.com]
* [http://police.and.nic.in/great_nicobar.htm 2001 Census - from the Andaman & Nicobar Police]
* [http://forest.and.nic.in/frst-great%20nicobar%20biosphere%20reserve1.htm Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve]