GOA

Goa : A small tropical paradise, wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with its dazzling 105 Kms long fringed coastline create a seductive atmosphere which no tourist can resist. Being a hilly area, Goa has a dense and rich vegetation. Twenty five percent of its area is covered by forests, containing all kinds of trees and shrubs.

Goa was known as Gopakpattan or Gomant. It was also mentioned as Govapuri in the Sutra-Samhita. Potlemy, the greatest geographer of the 2^nd century A.D. refers to Goa as 'Gouba'. It saw many empires such as the Satvahanas, the Kadambas, the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas, the Silahars and the Yadavas. After the discovery of sea route to India by Vasco-da-Gama in 1498, many Portuguese expeditions came to India. The Portuguese rule of 451 years, even after the Independence, finally came to an end on December 8^th, 1961 and made a composite Union Territory with daman and Diu.

On 30^th May 1987, Goa was conferred the statehood. The state is famous for its sea-food, cashew and locally brewed feni (wine) and for its song and dance and merriment, and above all for its peace and serene atmosphere.

State Government : http://goagovt.nic.in

Capital :	Panaji
Area :	3,702 square Kilometers
Population :	1,347,668 (2001 census)
Literacy :	82.01% (2001)
Language :	Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese
Roads :	7,457 Kms
Railways :	100 Kms
Airport :	Dabolim (Vasco)
Seaport :	Vasco da Gama
Climate :	Summer (32° - 21° C), Winter (32° - 21° C), Monsoon : June to October
Best Season :	October to May
Places of Interest :	State Tourism : http://www.goatourism.org / http://www.goa-tourism.com
	Betul : Beach. Bicholim : Temples, Handicrafts. Bondala : Wildlife sanctuary, Deer Park, Botanical & Rose Garden. Canacona : Temple, Pleasure resort. [Palolem (10 Kms) : Beach.] Cotigao : Wildlife sanctuary, Ancient centre for Vedic studies. Dudhsagar : Waterfalls, Picnic spot, Hiking, Trekking. Harvale : Ancient Temple, historic forest caves, waterfalls, Picnioc spot. Madgaon (Margao) : Commercial centre, Palatial houses, Parks, Friday fair. [Chandreshwar Bhutnath (16 Kms) : Ancient Temple. Kolva (6 Kms) : Beach.] Mayem : Lake resort, Boating. Molen : Bhagwan Mahavir National Park & wildlife sanctuary. [Tambdi Surla (8 Kms) : Temple.] Panaji : Beaches, Parks, Cuisine, Historic sites, Antiquities, Temples, Churches, one of India's most beautiful cities, Museums, Galleries, Latin style houses. [Aguada (10 Kms) : Beach resort, Fort (now, Central Jail), Spring, Lighthouse. Calangute (15 Kms) : Holiday resort, Queen of Goan Beaches, Scenic Splendour. Dona Paula (7 Kms) : Picnic spot, Beach. Gaspar Dias / Miramar (3 Kms) : Golden palm fringed beach. Mapuca (15 Kms) : Friday fair, Gardens, Church. Siridao / Shiridon (8 Kms) : Fluvial Beach, Holiday resort. Vagator (25 Kms) : Beach, Fort. Vela (Old) Goa (10 Kms) : Old Capital, Roman Catholic pilgrim centre (mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier), Churches, Ruins of Portuguese Forts and Buildings, Antiquities, Nunnery.] Pernem : Temple. Pilar : Monasteries, Christian religious and educational centre, view of Harbour and river Zuary.. Ponda / Farmagudi : Temples, Mosque. [Kavlem (10 Kms) : Temples. Priol (5 Kms) : Sri Manguesh Temple.] Sanguem : Temples, Mosque. Terekhol : Fort. Vasco da Gama : Parks, Beaches, Gardens, Waterfront, Rail terminus. [Bogmalo (10 Kms) : Beach resort, Natural archorage. Marmagao (3 Kms) : Port.]
Festivals :	New Year (January), Carnival (March / April - 3 days before Lent), Shigmotsav (March), Dussehra (October), Diwali (October / November), Christmas (December).