Which is the largest and southernmost single island in the Indian territory?

Introduction / Context:

India has many islands, including those in the Andaman and Nicobar group as well as the Lakshadweep group. Among these, some questions focus on extremes, such as the largest island or the southernmost island. This question asks which island is both large and situated at the southern extreme of Indian territory, making it a common fact tested in geography sections of competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options are Rameswaram Island, Minicoy Island, Car Nicobar Island, and Great Nicobar Island.
• We are looking for an island that is both large in area and lies at the southern end of Indian territory.
• Great Nicobar Island is known to be the largest island in the Nicobar group and is located very close to the equator.
• Other islands in the list are either smaller in size or not the southernmost.

Concept / Approach:

The core idea is that Great Nicobar Island, part of the Nicobar group in the Bay of Bengal, is both the largest island in that group and lies at the southern end of Indian territory. It is close to the southernmost point known as Indira Point. Rameswaram Island lies between India and Sri Lanka, Minicoy is part of the Lakshadweep group in the Arabian Sea, and Car Nicobar is a smaller island in the Nicobar group. Hence, combining both criteria of size and southern position, Great Nicobar Island is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Verification can be performed using political and physical maps of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These maps show Great Nicobar Island as a large landmass near the southern edge of Indian territory. Indira Point, often marked as the extreme southern tip, lies on this island. In contrast, Minicoy lies further north in the Arabian Sea, and Rameswaram and Car Nicobar are not as far south. Geography textbooks also highlight Great Nicobar as the southernmost large island of India, confirming its status as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Some learners may confuse Minicoy Island as being very far south because it is the southernmost of the Lakshadweep islands, or they may assume Rameswaram is the southernmost due to its location near Sri Lanka. However, when considering the entire Indian territory including the Nicobar Islands, Great Nicobar clearly extends further south and is also larger. Keeping this larger picture in mind helps avoid mistaken choices.

Final Answer:

The largest and southernmost single island in Indian territory is Great Nicobar Island.