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{{Short description|Island capital of Lakshadweep, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox islands
| name                            = Kavaratti
| sobriquet                       = 
| image_name                      = Kavaratii.jpg
| image_size                      = 
| image_caption                   = Kavaratti Island
| image_alt                       = 
| map                             = India3#India Lakshadweep
| map_alt                         = 
| map_width                       = 
| map_caption                     = 
| coordinates                     = {{coord|10.57|N|72.64|E|region:IN-LD_type:isle_dim:50000_source:GNS-enwiki|display=it}}
| etymology                       = 
| location                        = [[Arabian Sea]]
| archipelago                     = [[Lakshadweep]]
| waterbody                       = [[Indian Ocean]]
| total_islands                   = 1
| major_islands                   = {{hlist|Kavaratti}}
| area_km2                        = 3.93
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="cit">{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/lakshadweep/data%20sheet.pdf |title=Islandwise Area and Population - 2011 Census |publisher=Government of Lakshadweep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722061135/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/lakshadweep/data%20sheet.pdf |archive-date=2016-07-22 }}</ref>
| rank                            = 
| length_km                       = 5
| width_km                        = 1.5
| coastline_km                    = 
| elevation_m                     = 1
| highest_mount                   = 
| country                         = {{flag|India}}
| country_admin_divisions_title   = [[States and union territories of India|Territory]]
| country_admin_divisions         = {{flagicon image|}} [[Lakshadweep]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[List of districts in India#Lakshadweep (LD)|District]]
| country_admin_divisions_1       = [[Lakshadweep]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = [[Island group]]
| country_admin_divisions_2       = [[Laccadive Islands]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_3 = [[Tehsils of India]]
| country_admin_divisions_3       = Kavaratti
| country_admin_divisions_title_4 = [[Subdivisions of India]]
| country_admin_divisions_4       = Kavaratti
| country_largest_city            = Kavaratti
| country_largest_city_population = 10,000
| population                      = 11,473
| population_as_of                = 2014
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_rank                 = 
| population_rank_max             = 
| density_km2                     = 2920
| density_rank                    = 
| density_footnotes               = 
| ethnic_groups                   = [[Malayali]], [[Mahl people|Mahls]]
| timezone1                       = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                     = +5:30
| postal_code_type                = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code                     = 682555
| area_code_type                  = Telephone code
| area_code                       = 04896
| website                         = {{URL|http://lakshadweep.nic.in/ISLAND_web/kavaratti/index.htm}}
| iso_code_type                   = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|ISO code]]
| iso_code                        = IN-LD-05<ref>Registration Plate Numbers added to ISO Code</ref>
| additional_info                 = {{Infobox
| child=yes
| label2 = Literacy
| data2 = 88.6%
| label3 = Avg. summer temperature
| data3 ={{convert|35|°C|°F}}
| label4 = Avg. winter temperature
| data4 ={{convert|25|°C|°F}}
| label5 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| data5 =1.227 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
}}
}}

'''Kavaratti''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ʌ|v|@|'|r|ʌ|t|i}}, {{IPA|ml|kɐʋɐɾɐt̪ːi|lang}}) is the capital of the [[Union Territory]] of [[Lakshadweep]] in [[India]]. Kavaratti is a [[census town]] as well as the name of the [[atoll]] upon which the town stands.
It is well known for its pristine white sand beaches and calm lagoons, which makes it a popular tourist destination.
It is located {{convert|332|km|abbr=on}} west to the city of [[Kannur]], {{convert|351|km|abbr=on}} west of the city of [[Kozhikode]], and {{convert|404|km|abbr=on}} west of the city of [[Kochi]].

==Etymology==
The name '''Kavaratti''' might derive from [[Malayalam]] or [[Jeseri]], reflecting the island's geographical or cultural features. For instance, '''Kava''' could relate to a natural feature like a [[lagoon]] or [[bay]], and '''ratti''' might signify a settlement or land.

==Details==
The island is 5.6 km (3.5 miles) long and tapers to a point at one end from a maximum width at the other of 1.2 km (0.75 mile). There is a shallow lagoon on the western side of the island, and coconut palms grow all over the island. Kavaratti town is noted for the carved wooden pillars and roofs of its mosques and the carved stones of its graveyards. The town has administrative buildings, a bank, numerous mosques, and an aquarium. Tourism is of growing importance to the economy.

==Geography==
The island of Kavaratti lies {{convert|360|km|nmi|abbr=on}} off the coast of the state of [[Kerala]] at {{coord|10.57|N|72.64|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/14/Kavaratti.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kavaratti]</ref> It has an average elevation of 0&nbsp;metres (0&nbsp;feet).

The closest island is uninhabited [[Pitti]] islet, located {{convert|24|km|nmi|abbr=on}} north of Kavaratti. The inhabited island of [[Agatti]] lies 54&nbsp;km to the NW and [[Suheli Par]] 53&nbsp;km to the SW.

[[Kochi]] is the closest major city on the Indian mainland at a distance of {{convert|404|km|nmi|abbr=on}}.
It has a [[lagoon]] area of {{convert|8.96|km2|abbr=on}}.

==Climate==
Kavaratti has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw''). March to May is the hottest period of the year. The year-round temperature ranges between {{convert|25|and|35|°C|disp=or}}. Humidity range is 70 to 76 percent.<ref name=lakshadweep-climate>{{cite web|url=http://lakshadweep.nic.in/ISLAND_web/KAVARATTI/climate.html|title=Kavaratti Climate|publisher=Union Territory of Lakshadweep|access-date=2012-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202110807/http://lakshadweep.nic.in/ISLAND_web/KAVARATTI/climate.html|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[monsoon]] rains usually start at the end of May and continue through early November. The island receives an average of around {{convert|1675|mm|in|0}} of rain during the year.

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location = Kavaratti
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|temperature colour = pastel
|Jan high C = 30.2
|Feb high C = 30.4
|Mar high C = 31.1
|Apr high C = 31.8
|May high C = 31.3
|Jun high C = 30.4
|Jul high C = 29.8
|Aug high C = 29.7
|Sep high C = 29.8
|Oct high C = 30.0
|Nov high C = 30.3
|Dec high C = 30.3
|year high C = 30.4
|Jan low C = 23.7
|Feb low C = 24.1
|Mar low C = 24.3
|Apr low C = 26.5
|May low C = 26.1
|Jun low C = 25.7
|Jul low C = 25.4
|Aug low C = 25.1
|Sep low C = 24.8
|Oct low C = 24.5
|Nov low C = 24.3
|Dec low C = 24.0
|year low C = 24.3
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 27.4
|Feb rain mm = 25.4
|Mar rain mm = 19.8
|Apr rain mm = 72.5
|May rain mm = 212.8
|Jun rain mm = 261.3
|Jul rain mm = 250.9
|Aug rain mm = 202.4
|Sep rain mm = 181.9
|Oct rain mm = 183.1
|Nov rain mm = 133.0
|Dec rain mm = 94.8
|date=November 2010}}

==Demographics==
{{pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Kavaratti Island (2011)<ref name="Kavaratti Population">{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/lakshadweep/lakshadweep/kavaratti-population.html|title=Kavaratti Island population|work=Census India 2011|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Islam]]
|value1 = 91.93
|color1 = Green
|label2 = [[Hinduism]]
|value2 = 7.02
|color2 = DarkOrange
|label3 = [[Christianity]]
|value3 = 0.86
|color3 = Blue
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 0.06
|color4 = Grey
|label5 = Not Stated
|value5 = 0.13
|color5 = Black
}}

The 2011 population for Kavaratti was 11,210 based on the [[2011 census of India]].<ref name=lakshadweep-kavaratti>{{cite web|url=http://lakshadweep.nic.in/documents/Chapter%20V/Kavaratti/Kavaratti-6.pdf|title=Kavaratti Island|publisher=Union Territory of Lakshdweep|access-date=2012-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505172953/http://lakshadweep.nic.in/documents/Chapter%20V/Kavaratti/Kavaratti-6.pdf|archive-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Of the 1797 families on the island, 57 (about 3%) are below the [[poverty line in India|poverty line]].

The literacy was 88.6% for Kavaratti. This was an increase from 44.4% in 1971. The male literacy rate was 94.1%, while the female literacy was 81.66%.<ref name=lakshadweep-kavaratti/> In Kavaratti, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The most commonly spoken languages are [[Malayalam]], [[Mahl dialect|Mahl]], [[English language|English]] and the native [[Jeseri]].<ref name=ig-kavaratti>{{cite web|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/travel/kavaratti/index.html|title=Kavaratti|publisher=India Guide|access-date=2012-05-06}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:A beach at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.jpg|thumb|left|The beach of Kavaratti]]
Tourism is one of the primary industries on the island. The island has pristine white sand beaches, favored by tourists for sun bathing. The calm lagoons on Kavaratti island are ideal for water sports and swimming.<ref name=ms-kavaratti>{{cite web|url=http://www.mustseeindia.com/Lakshadweep-Kavaratti-Islands/attraction/11831|title=Kavaratti Islands, Lakshadweep|publisher=Must See India|access-date=2012-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518215903/http://www.mustseeindia.com/Lakshadweep-Kavaratti-Islands/attraction/11831|archive-date=18 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A number of hotels and resorts have been developed on Kavaratti in recent years. The waters around the coral atoll are rich in diverse marine life. The Kavaratti Aquarium has a rich collection of corals and a vast collection of tropical fish specimens.

The other major industries on the island are fisheries and agriculture. [[Coconut]] is the dominant crop on the island. With a decline in fisheries, tourism has seen an increase as a means of livelihood.

==Transportation==
[[File:Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep, India 20160324- DSC1618.jpg|thumb|Water Sport at Kavaratti]]
Among the most popular means of travel to Kavaratti from the Indian mainland is via an overnight voyage by passenger ships. A number of passenger liners operate from Kochi to Kavaratti and other Lakshadweep islands.

The nearest domestic airport is [[Agatti Airport]] on [[Agatti Island]] {{convert|54|km|nmi|abbr=on}} away, followed by [[helicopter]] or boat transfers from Agatti to Kavaratti.<ref name=lakshadweep-kavaratti/> Commercial flights usually operate from Kochi to Agatti.

The closest international airport are the [[Cochin International Airport]] in [[Kochi]] and the [[Calicut International Airport]] at [[Kozhikode]] on the mainland.

==Water supply==
Ground water is the major source of water supply to Kavaratti. The island has 190 ponds to collect monsoon waters and 1325 wells.

With increasing population, the [[Government of India]] commissioned a low temperature desalination plant (LTTD) in Kavaratti in May 2005. The desalination plant established at a cost of {{Indian Rupees}}5 crores has a capacity to supply 100,000 litres of drinking water every day.<ref name="desalinationplant1">{{cite web|title=A New Desalination Plant at Kavaratti to Supply Drinking Water from Monday|publisher=Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India|date=20 May 2005|url=http://dst.gov.in/whats_new/press_releases05/new-desalination-plant.htm|access-date=22 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121144058/http://www.dst.gov.in/whats_new/press_releases05/new-desalination-plant.htm|archive-date=21 November 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="desalinationplant2">{{cite news|url=http://www.irc.nl/page/24010|publisher=IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre|title=Desalination: India opens world's first low temperature thermal desalination plant|date=31 May 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327122451/http://www.irc.nl/page/24010|archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kavaratti}}
{{Portal|India|Islands}}
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Lakshadweep}}
{{State and Union Territory capitals of India}}
{{Lakshadweep}}
{{Malabar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kavaratti}}
[[Category:Islands of Lakshadweep]]
[[Category:Atolls of India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Lakshadweep district]]
[[Category:Indian union territory capitals]]
[[Category:Islands of India]]
[[Category:Populated places in India]]