Which water body separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands within Indian territory?

Introduction / Context:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal that form a union territory of India. Between the Andaman group to the north and the Nicobar group to the south lies an important stretch of sea that has a specific name used in navigation and geography. This question checks your knowledge of that separating water body, which is frequently asked in Indian geography examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which water body separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
• The options include 10 Degree Channel, 11 Degree Channel, Andaman Sea, and Bay of Bengal.
• We know that a “degree channel” refers to a strait or passage near a specific latitude in degrees.
• We assume standard atlases and Indian geography texts as the reference for names of these channels.

Concept / Approach:

The key concept is that the Andaman and Nicobar groups of islands are separated by a narrow sea passage known as the Ten Degree Channel, named because it lies near 10 degrees north latitude. The Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal are larger water bodies surrounding the region, while the 11 Degree Channel is associated with other island groups. Thus, by recalling the specific geographic name associated with Andaman and Nicobar, we identify 10 Degree Channel as the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

To verify, one can look at a detailed map of the Andaman and Nicobar region. The map typically labels the strip of sea between Little Andaman to the north and Car Nicobar to the south as the Ten Degree Channel. In contrast, the Andaman Sea is the broader sea to the east and south east of these islands, and the Bay of Bengal is the larger water body to the west. The 11 Degree Channel is associated with other island locations and not specifically with the separation of Andaman and Nicobar. This confirms that 10 Degree Channel is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Many learners confuse the numbers in degree channels or mix up Ten Degree Channel with Eleven Degree Channel. Another common error is to select Andaman Sea or Bay of Bengal simply because they are more familiar names. To avoid this, remember that Ten Degree Channel is the specific name used in exam questions for the separation between Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and associate the number ten with the approximate latitude of this passage.

Final Answer:

The water body that separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands is the 10 Degree Channel.