This group of islands is in the Arabian Sea to the West of Kerala. This is a small group of about 36 islands. Some of the islands are very small and have no population. Only ten islands have population. These islands form a separate Union Territory. These islands are of coral origin. Coral is the skeleton of tiny sea animal called Polyps. Over the years these skeletons have piled up and have formed hard surface. Most of the islands have back-waters or lagoons like those of the Malabar Coast.
The people move about in boats. Minicoy is the biggest of these islands. The people do farming and fishing. The farmers grow coconut palms, jackfruit, lemons and bananas. Some people are engaged in the coir making industry. Most of the population of Lakshadweep is Muslim. They speak Malayalam mixed with Arabic words. The sea around the Lakshadweep islands is known as Lakshadweep Sea.