<h4>Introduction to Lakshadweep</h4><p><strong>Lakshadweep</strong>, India’s <strong>smallest Union Territory</strong>, is a strategically important archipelago situated in the Arabian Sea.</p><p>The name <strong>Lakshadweep</strong> holds cultural significance, translating to 'a hundred thousand islands' in both <strong>Sanskrit</strong> and <strong>Malayalam</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p>This nomenclature aptly reflects its numerous island formations, though not literally a hundred thousand.</p></div><h4>Geographical Overview</h4><p>The Union Territory comprises an <strong>archipelago</strong> consisting of <strong>36 islands</strong>, forming a unique geographical cluster.</p><p>These islands are located at varying distances from the mainland, specifically between <strong>220 km and 440 km</strong> off the coast of <strong>Kochi</strong>, Kerala.</p><div class='info-box'><p>Significantly, out of the <strong>36 islands</strong>, only <strong>11 are inhabited</strong>, preserving much of their natural ecosystem.</p></div><h4>Area and Administration</h4><p>The total land area of Lakshadweep is remarkably small, covering just <strong>32 sq km</strong>, making it geographically compact.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>As a <strong>Union Territory</strong>, Lakshadweep falls directly under the administrative control of the <strong>Central Government of India</strong>.</p></div><p>Its governance is facilitated through an appointed <strong>Administrator</strong>, who oversees the territory's affairs on behalf of the Centre.</p><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>Understanding the <strong>administrative structure</strong> of Union Territories like Lakshadweep is crucial for <strong>UPSC Polity</strong> (GS Paper II) questions, especially regarding central-state relations and governance models.</p></div>