When Austria claimed the Nicobar Islands as a colony (1778-1784) on the assumption that Denmark had abandoned its claim (1754/56-1868), they named Teressa after the Austrian Arch-duchess Maria Theresia.

Extensive damage to the island's flora and fauna occurred following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Teressa lies west of the neighboring island of Camorta and northwest of Katchal.

The smaller island known as Chowra is to the north and Bompoka lies to the east.

The Indian National Census of 2011 showed the island to have a population of 1,934, and the largest settlements were: Bengali (354), Kalasi (335), and Minyuk[4] (305).