Daman and Diu - Geography and History reveals the topographical and historical features of the union territory. It is the second smallest union territory of the country, second only to Lakshadweep. Initially a part of Goa, Daman and Diu achieved its independent status of a union territory in the year 1987.
The union territory is a conglomeration of the regions of Daman and Diu. The two regions are bordered by the state of Gujarat. The small island of Diu is located near Junagadh which is part of the Saurashtra Peninsula. It is joined by a creek to the state of Gujarat. The region of Daman is located near Surat which is part of the state of Gujarat.
The union territory of Daman and Diu is spread over an area of 112 square kilometers. The union territory id divided into two districts of Daman and Diu. Gujarati and Marathi are the two languages that are spoken by the people in these parts. The total population of Daman and Diu is 1,58,059 out of which 92,478 are males and 65,581 are females. The union territory has achieved a good literacy rate of 81.09 percent.
History of Daman and Diu
Daman and Diu history dates back to more than two thousand years. The region remained a part of the Lata Kingdom from the 2nd to the 13th century. The region was a part of Goa that came under the rule of the Portuguese in the 16th century. History of Daman and Diu reveals emergence of the region as an important political unit along with Goa. The region gained popularity after independence from the colonial regime of the Portuguese. The two districts remained a part of Goa till the year 1987 when Goa acceded to the Union of India and Daman and Diu became the union territory. Evidences excavated from the region of Surat unveil that the region was ruled by the Satrya Kshatrapas in the first century. The rule of the region passed to the Lata Kingdom which was one of the seven divisions of the Aparant or Konkan Vaishaya. Although the region was subjected to the rule of several dynasties during this period, the Lata Kingdom emerged as one of the most prominent rulers that dominated the history of Daman and Diu in the early centuries.
In the medieval period, the region fell under the rule of the Chowda Rajputs, Waghalas and the Muslim emperors. The Muslims ruled the region for more than two hundred years after which the region was captured by the Portuguese. The spice trade routes were seized by the Portuguese after the Battle of Diu in which they defeated the Muslims.
The Portuguese ruled the region for 450 years from 1510 to 1961. Goa achieved its independence from the colonial rule of the Portuguese in the year 1961. The state acceded to the Union of India in the year 1987. It was the same year that the region of Daman and Diu gained its status of a Union territory.
Battle of Diu
Battle of Diu has a great significance in Daman and Diu history as its marks the establishment of the predominance of the Portuguese in the region.
manganga river divides the Daman district into two parts. Three rivers, namely, Bhagwan River, Damanganga River and Kalem River pass through this district.
Daman has a moderate climate round the year because of its closeness to the sea. The average rainfall received by the place throughout the year is 1687 mm. The average minimum temperature of the place is 11°C and the average maximum temperature is 37°C. The ideal time to visit this district of Daman and Diu is from September to April.
The district of Diu is located at a small distance away from the Kathiawar coast close to the Veraval Port in the state of Gujarat.
It is located between 71°-00'-2'' and 70°-52'-2'' East longitudes and 20°-44'-3'' and 20°-42'-0'' North latitudes. The altitude of the district is 6 meters above the sea level.
The mainland of the district is linked with two bridges. Diu is bordered by Amreli and Junagadh towards the north and the Arabian Sea towards the other three sides.
The climate of Diu is pleasant throughout the year. The rainy season stretches between June and September. The summer temperature varies from 38°C to 15° C. The maximum rainfall is 63.5 cm. The winter temperature varies between 20° and 25° C.
Topography of Daman and a Diu
Daman and Diu topography is a typical island topography, which does not exhibit a variety of landforms. There are a number of rivers that provide water to this union territory of India. Daman is one of the two districts of the union territory, which is located on the Indian west coast. The place is bordered by a variety of topographical features. The district of Valsad in Gujarat state lies towards the east, the well known river called Bhagwan flows towards the north, the Arabian Sea is located towards the west and River Kalem flows towards the south.
The major river of the region Damanganga divides the Daman district into two separate parts. As many as three rivers provide water to the district. All these rivers flow towards the west direction. The river Bhagwan runs along the northern border of the district, the river Kalem runs along the southern border and the river Damanganga runs in between the other two rivers.
Diu is the other district of the union territory of Daman and Diu. It is a small island located at a small distance away from the Veraval Port in the state of Gujarat. The total length of the coastal region of the district is 21 kms.
The height of the district of Diu is 6 meters above the level of sea. The maximum altitude of the district is about 30 meters above the level of the sea. The landscape of this region is plain.
The Diu district also has land as well as water on its borders. It is bordered by the place called Junagadh and the district called Amreli in the state of Gujarat towards the north and the Arabian Sea on the remaining three sides.
Area of Daman and a Diu
The Daman and Diu area is not very big; it is only 112 square kms. In fact, the union territory of Daman and Diu is the second smallest one in the country of India. Lakshadeep is the only union territory of India that has a smaller area.
Daman and Diu were both once parts of Goa. In the year 1987, after Goa was declared a separate state, Daman and Diu were separated from Goa. The three land expanses of Goa, Daman and Diu, which were located on the Indian west coast, functioned as a single political unit after getting independence from the Portuguese rule in the year 1961. Daman is located between 72-49'-42" and 72-54'-43" East longitudes and 20-22'-00" and 20-27'-25" North latitudes. Diu is located between 71°-00'-2'' and 70°-52'-26" East longitudes and 20°-44'-3'' and 20°-42'-00" North latitudes.
Last Updated on: 3rd April 2013
