Proximity to Markets

• Detroit in the USA has a huge automobile industry due to its proximity to the U.S. consumer market.

Supply Chain

• Building a vehicle requires numerous components ( like steel, rubber, plastic, paint, cables etc.). Hence, an efficient supply chain is important in deciding where to locate the automobile industry. E.g., Germany’s automotive industry benefits from a well-developed infrastructure and efficient supply chain networks for building automobiles. 

Skilled Labour and Talent Pool

• Stuttgart (Germany) is home to major automotive companies benefitting from a talented pool of engineers and workers.
• Similarly, the Gurgaon-Manesar Belt (Haryana, India) has attracted automotive manufacturing due to the availability of skilled labour.

Government Policies and Incentives

• The Mexican government’s pro-business policies and trade agreements have attracted automakers to set up plants in Mexico.

Research and Development Centers

• Silicon Valley in the USA and Bengaluru in India have attracted electric and autonomous vehicles due to R&D centres in these regions. 

• Transport: Located on the banks of the Detroit River and linked to Lake Huron, the geographical positioning of the city of Detroit provides a vital connection to the expansive Great Lakes waterway system, facilitating the cost-effective movement of goods and materials.
• Labour: In the 19th century, Detroit saw the emergence of floor mills utilizing running water and the adoption of internal combustion engines for boats. It led to the establishment of numerous repair shops, fostering the development of generations of skilled labour.
• Entrepreneurs: Two iconic figures stand out in the narrative of Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit: William Durant (founder of GM) and Henry Ford (founder of Ford Motors).
• Raw Material: Detroit’s proximity to Pittsburgh, a major steel-producing centre, ensured a steady steel supply. Additionally, the region has numerous intermediate industries providing components, such as seat cushions, spray paint, tires, and electronic circuits.

• Andaman & Nicobar Island group is situated in the Bay of Bengal. 
• It runs like a narrow chain in the north-south direction extending between 6.39°N to 14.34°N.
• The main islands under the Andaman and Nicobar Island group are
  1. North Andaman
  2. Middle Andaman
  3. South Andaman
  4. Little Andaman
  5. Car Nicobar
  6. Little Nicobar
  7. Great Nicobar

India’s southernmost point, Indira Point or Pygmalion Point, is situated here on the Great Nicobar Island.

Nature of Islands

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were formed as a result of tectonic interactions between the Eurasian and Indo-Australian Plate. The Indo-Australian Plate started subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate in the Andaman Sea. As a result, volcanic activity occurs, leading to the formation of volcanic island arcs.
• Structurally, we can say that
  1. Andaman: Extension of the Arakan Yoma mountain range of Myanmar, i.e. submerged mountains  
  2. Nicobar: Extension of Mentawai islands to the southeast of Sumatra 
• The region continues to be seismically active, with occasional earthquakes and volcanic activity, reflecting the ongoing tectonic processes in the area.
• Some islands are fringed with coral reefs as well. 

Some Important Channels

Volcanoes in this region

There are two important volcanoes situated in this region

Change in names

The government has changed the names of some of the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar groups of Islands to reflect Indian history. These are

Polity

• Andaman and Nicobar are Union Territories of the Indian Union administered by the President through the Governor.
• Its High Court is situated in Kolkata.
• Capital Port Blair is situated on the South Andaman Island.

Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar

4 major tribes of Andaman are as follows (all are Negrito Tribes)

2 major tribes of Nicobar are ( (all are Mongoloid Tribes)

Importance of Andaman & Nicobar

Strategic  Importance

• Securing Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC): These islands are important in
  securing busy Sea Lines of Communications (SLOC) by creating a series of
  chokepoints.
• Overseas
  Strait of Malacca: Andaman and Nicobar Islands can choke Chinese supplies in
  case of war.
• Net Security
  Provider: India
  can utilize the strategic location of these islands to act as a ‘net
  security provider’ in the region and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific
  region.

Economic Importance

• Exclusive
  Economic Zone (EEZ): Nearly 30% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is
  derived from the maritime boundaries around these islands.
• Fisheries
  Potential: The
  rich marine biodiversity surrounding the islands provides significant
  fisheries potential.
• Tourism
  Potential: The
  scenic beauty, diverse ecosystems, and historical significance make these
  islands a prime tourist destination.

Historical Importance

• Cellular Jail
  (Kala Pani): Freedom
  fighters were imprisoned here during the colonial era, and the jail
  remains a testament to the sacrifices made for the nation’s freedom.
• Azad Hind
  Fauj Headquarters: During World War II, the Azad Hind Fauj, led by Netaji
  Subhas Chandra Bose, had its headquarters in the Andaman and Nicobar
  Islands.

Side Topic: Great Nicobar Island Development Project

• The government has sanctioned
  a Rs 72,000 crore development project for Great Nicobar.
• It is strategically important
  due to its equidistance from Klang, Colombo and Singapore and its position
  in the vicinity of the East-West international shipping corridor.

• Lakshadweep group of islands are situated in the Arabian Sea 
• It is a group of 36 islands. But 4 islands are most important, which includes
  1. Amini 
  2. Kavaratti 
  3. Minicoy
  4. Agatti

Structure

• These islands are part of Reunion Vulcanism. The base of the islands is provided by volcanic lava.
• The entire Lakshadweep islands are made up of Coral Deposits.

Some Important Channel

Population

• The population of these islands is 60,650, with a Muslim majority. But Minicoy has a Christian majority.
• The entire indigenous population of the islands is Scheduled tribe, but tribes aren’t named.
• The majority of people speak Malayalam (except in Minicoy, where people use Mahl written in Divehi script (same as Maldives)

Polity

• These islands were earlier known as Lacadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands. The name Lakshadweep was adopted in 1973
• Lakshadweep Islands is a UT under the administered control of Lt. Governor.
• Kavaratti is the administrative capital of Lakshadweep
• It is under the jurisdiction of Ernakulam High Court 

a. Sriharikota Island

• It is located in Andhra Pradesh between the Bay of Bengal and Pulicat Lake. 
• Sriharikota is one of ISRO’s satellite launching stations.

b. Wheeler Island / Abdul Kalam Island

• It is located off the coast of Odisha.
• It serves as a missile testing site.

c. Pamban Island

• It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka . 
• This island is covered with white sand.

d. Majauli Island

• It is located in Assam. 
• It is a riverine island situated in the Brahmaputra River. It is the largest riverine island in the world.
• The island is under severe ecological threat due to extensive soil erosion of its banks.
• It is home to Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.

e. Diu Island

• It is located on the coast of Kathiawar.
• It is famous for the historical Diu Fort (built by the Portuguese) and beautiful beaches.
• Note: Daman is not an island. 

f. Sagar Island

• It is located in the Ganga Delta in the Bay of Bengal.
• It is an important place for Hindu pilgrimage.

g.  Phumdis / Floating Islands

• They are located in Manipur 
• It is part of Keibul Lamjao National Park.
• It is famous for Sangai (breed of Deer)