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| Goa Map |
Goa, with a coastline of 65 miles, is hilly and includes a portion of the Western Ghats rising to nearly 4,000 feet.The two largest rivers are the Mandavi and Zuari, between the mouths of which lies the island of Goa (Ilhas). The island is triangular, the apex (called the cape) being a rocky headland separating the harbor of Goa into two anchorages.
There are three principal cities in Goa: Marmagao , Madgaon (Margao), and Panaji (Nova Goa). Old Goa is, for the most part, a city of ruins.
About one-quarter of the state is covered by forest. The climate is generally warm, with average January temperatures ranging from 19° to 29° C (66° to 84° F), and average June temperatures ranging from 25° to 33° C (77° to 91° F). Goa experiences a monsoon season from June through September; it accounts for four-fifths of the state's average annual rainfall.
Goa
Below is a table representing important facts about Goa
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History of Goa
One of the youngest states of the Indian Union, Goa attained statehood after 451 years of colonial rule and 26 years as Union territory. Its history dates back to the 3rd century when it belonged to the Mauryas, followed by the rule of the Satvahanas, Chalukyas and then the Shilharas and Kadambas. In 1312, Goa fell into the hands of the Muslims when Harihara of the Vijayanagar Empire evacuated the coastal area. The Muslim rule ended when the Portuguese took over in 1510. When India attained Independence in 1947, tremendous pressure was exerted on the Portuguese to hand over Goa, Daman and Diu. The Portuguese remained adamant. In mid-1954, Goan nationalists seized the Portuguese enclaves of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and established a pro-Indian administration. Another crisis occurred in 1955 when satyagrahis from India attempted to penetrate the territory of Goa. At first the satyagrahis were deported; but later, when large numbers attempted to cross the borders, the Portuguese authorities resorted to force, and casualties were inflicted. This led to the severance of diplomatic relations between Portugal and India on Aug. 18, 1955. Tension between India and Portugal came to a head when on Dec. 18, 1961, Indian troops supported by naval and air forces invaded and occupied Goa, Daman, and Diu. Portuguese India was, by constitutional amendment, incorporated into the Indian Union in 1962. 26 years later, Goa attained statehood shedding its erstwhile 'Union Territory' status on 30/5/1987.
Society & Culture
The Goan population is a mixture of Christian and Hindu. In the past the Christians generally spoke Portuguese but now tend to speak English and Konkani. The Hindus speak Konkani and Marathi. Economic conditions in Goa have caused emigration on a large scale, mainly to the eastern coast of Africa but also to other parts of India. Large Goanese colonies have consequently been formed in Bombay, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, and elsewhere. Goa's 450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique, synchronized blend of East and West that is at once exotic and strangely familiar: Christmas and Carnival are celebrated as enthusiastically by the 30-percent Christian minority as Diwali and Durga puja are by the mainly Konkani-speaking Hindus. The state's separate identity is discernible in other ways too, most visibly in its Latinate architecture, but also in a preference for a fish-and meat-rich cuisine. Another marked difference is the prevalence of alcohol. Beer is cheap, and six thousand or more bars around the state are licensed to serve it, along with the more traditional tipples of feni, the local hootch, and toddy, a derivative of palm sap
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| Goa Industrial Map |
Economy and Infrastructure
Goa is predominantly agricultural, with rice, fruits, coconuts, pulses (legumes), cashews, and betel (areca) nuts the leading crops. The state exports a number of these commodities, along with spices, manganese and iron ores, bauxite, fish, and salt; its trade is small but its manufacturers produce fertilizers, sugar, textiles, chemicals, iron pellets, and pharmaceuticals.
Tourism is the main money-spinner and the majority of the population is engaged in related business. On the coast itself, coconut cultivation and fishing (both in-shore, with small boats, canoes and hand-nets, and off shore, with modern trawlers) are still the main sources of income. The recent discovery of iron in the hills to the east has also generated considerable revenue. Of the motor able roads, national highways constitutes 224 km, state highways 232 km and districts roads 815 km. Goa is also linked with Mumbai, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram through the Konkan Railway, which has introduced several fast trains on these lines, Vasco da Gama is connected with Bangalore and Belgaum on the South Central Railway, presently for goods traffic only. Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Chennai, Agati and Bangalore are linked with Dabolim through regular Airlines services. Mormugao is the major port in the State
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| Goa Travel Map |
Tourist Centres
Goa is one of the hottest tourist's destinations in India. Some of the important tourist centers are Colva, Calangute, Vagator, Baga, Harmal, Anjuna and Miramar beaches; Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral churches at Old Gao; Kavlem, Mardol, Mangueshi, Bandora Temples; Aguada, Terekhol, Chapora and Cabo de Rama Forts; Dudhsagar and Harvelam Waterfalls and Mayem Lake Resort. The State has rich wildlife sanctuaries, viz., Bondla, Cotigao, Molem, and Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao covering an area of 354 sq km.
Hotels of Goa
Goa houses hotels ranging from budget to two star to five star hotels. There are also numerous bungalows that belong to the locals which can be hired. Accommodation is easily available in Goa.
Last Updated on: 20th March 2013
