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Kadmat
Kadmat is situated at 11o13' north latitude and 72 o48'
east longitude. Kadmat island which is 10 km north of Amini is 8 km long and 550 metres wide
at the broadest point. There is very large lagoon on the western side abounding
in coral growths. Kadmat has also a narrow lagoon on the eastern side which
almost dries up at low tide. There is a growth of a narrow ridge of sand at the
southern tip of the island which has been planted up. Systematic habitation of
the island started in the 19th century. The inhabitants had to put up a struggle
to free themselves from certain social and economic disabilities. Amine
landlords claimed the entire land as their property. Kadmat people were not
allowed to built their own sailing vessels and had to ship their own sailing
vessels and had to ship their own sailing vessels and had to ship their produce
in the Amini vessels. In the religious sphere, they were not allowed to have a
Kazi to perform all religious and social functions. These disabilities were
overcome gradually and by the turn of the century the inhabitants had asserted
their rights. The main occupation of the people of Kadmat is coir twisting. The
island is known for its lime stones used for building purposes. For Tourism
options in Kadmat Click here
Kiltan
Kiltan is situated at 11o29' north latitude and 73o 00'east
longitude. Kiltan lies about 50kms north-east of Amini on the international trade route
between the Persian Gulf countries and Sri-Lanka. The island is only about 3kms
long and 594 metres wide at broadest point. There is a high storm beach on the
northern and southern ends of the island. The fierce storm which hit the island
in 1965 has left a line of coral boulders on the eastern shore. The lagoon on
the west is shallow and is in the process of filling up. The shallow lagoon does
not allow larger boats to enter it through the passage during the low tide.
Along the middle of the island is a solid like substratum and lime stones are
cut for building purposes.
The island is fertile and thickly planted. The heat of the summer is unbearable
and the people prefer to sleep outside on the beaches in cubicles made of cadjan
leaves. Several such cubicles can be seen lined up along the western beach
during summer months.
Kalpeni
Kalpeni is situated at 10o05' north latitude and 73o39' east longitude.
Kalpeni lies 76kms south of Andrott. It is 183kms from Minicoy. The island
along with the satellite islets of Cheriyam, Tilakkam and Pitti lie in an
extensive and shallow lagoon. The action of the sea has split the islets of
Tilakkam and Pitti into several islets. From the main island of Kalpeni, storm
of 1847 separated Cheriyam. A sea bank of coral stones are formed along the east
and south-east shore of about 3.6 metres high and more than 17.5 metres wide at
the base. It provides a natural barrier against such a disaster. A reef is
formed between Cheriyam and Kalpeni in low water.
A peculiar feature of Kalpeni is the huge storm bank of coral debris along
the eastern and south-eastern shore. Kalpeni was one of the islands colonised
in early times as it was on the direct route of the sailing vessels for Arabia.
The Arab writers called this island "Koefaini". For Tourism options in
Kalpeni Click here
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