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Source- This post on St Martin’s Island has been created based on the article “What is Bangladesh’s St Martin’s Island, under spotlight after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation?” published in “Indian Express” on 14 August 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, has dismissed the report claiming that Sheikh Hasina could have stayed in power by handing over Bangladesh’s St. Martin’s Island to America.
About St Martin’s Island
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. St Martin’s Island is situated in the northeastern region of the Bay of Bengal, near the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. 2. It is located nine kilometers from the southern tip of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. 3. The island is 7.3 km long and flat. It has an elevation of 3.6 meters above sea level. 4. It is Bangladesh’s only coral island, surrounded by reefs located 10-15 km to the west-northwest. |
| History | 1. In the 18th Century, Arab merchants were among the first to settle on the island. 2.They initially named it “Jazira” (meaning “the island”) and later changed it to “Narikel Jinjira” or “Coconut Island.” 3. The island was annexed by British India during a land survey in 1900. During this time, the island became known as St Martin’s Island, reportedly named after the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Martin. |
| Submersion and Resurfacing | 1. It was originally part of the Teknaf peninsula. However, the island was submerged into the sea around 5,000 years ago. 2. The southern part resurfaced about 450 years ago, with the northern parts rising above sea level in the following century. |
| Population and Tourism | 1. The island has a permanent population of approximately 10,000 people. 2. St Martin’s Island is a popular tourist spot, with an average of 10,000 tourists visiting and staying on the island daily. |
| Strategic Importance | The island’s proximity to both Bangladesh and Myanmar. It’s position in the Bay of Bengal, makes it strategically important in regional geopolitics. |
| Cultural Significance | The island has a mixed cultural heritage, with influences from both Bengali and Rakhine communities, as well as the early Arab settlers. |
| Environmental Significance | St Martin’s Island holds significant environmental importance as it is both a coral island and a breeding ground for sea turtles. |
UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
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