North Sentinel Island is one of the Andaman Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. It is home to the Sentinelese, an indigenous people who have been living in isolation for thousands of years. The Sentinelese are hostile to outsiders, and have killed anyone who has tried to make contact with them.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs, and lacks natural harbours. The entire island, other than the shore, is forested. There is a narrow, white-sand beach encircling the island, behind which the ground rises 20 metres (66 ft), and then gradually to between 46 and 122 metres (151 and 400 ft) near the centre.
The Sentinelese are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and a Scheduled Tribe, and they are protected by the Indian government. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act of 1956 prohibits travel to the island, and any approach closer than 5 nautical miles (9.3 km).
The Sentinelese are thought to be related to other indigenous groups in the Andaman Islands, but they have been isolated for so long that they can no longer understand their language. They are hunter-gatherers, and they live in small villages. They are also known for their archery skills.
The Sentinelese have been the subject of much speculation and curiosity. Some people believe that they are the last remaining Stone Age people on Earth. Others believe that they have a secret knowledge that they are not sharing with the outside world.
However, the Sentinelese have made it clear that they want to be left alone. In 2006, two fishermen who were shipwrecked on the island were killed by the Sentinelese. In 2018, an American missionary was killed by the Sentinelese after he tried to make contact with them.
The Sentinelese are a mysterious people, and their island is a place of great interest and intrigue. However, it is important to respect their wishes and leave them alone.
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