It is a archipelago of 36 Islands, famous for its beautiful beaches and lush green landscapes. Lakshadweep means 'a hundred thousand islands'. in Malayalam and Sanskrit. It is the smallest Union Territory of India comprising of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands. It is a single district island with a total area of 32 sq km. The capital is Kavaratti and it is also the principal town of the Union Territory. All Islands are 220 to 440 km away from the coastal city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. The natural landscapes, the sandy beaches, abundance of flora and fauna and the absence of a rushed lifestyle enhance the beauty of Lakshadweep.