Goa - General Information

Goa Sun, Sand, Sea....

Capital:	Panaji.
Main Languages:	Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese, and English.
Area:	3,702 sq. km
District:	2.
Population:	1.6 million.
Literacy:	77%, it is one of the highest literacy rate in country .
Boundaries:	East and South-Karnataka; West-Arabian Sea; North- Maharashtra and Terekhol River.
Highways	Goa is connected by the National Highways - NH4A, NH17 and NH17A. The National Highways total to 224kms. and the State Highways measure up to 231kms. The major District Roads measure 815kms. The villages have surfaced as well as unsurfaced roads and total to 3538kms.
Airport:	Dabolim.
Longest rivers are:	The Zuari and The Mandovi.
Altitude:	Sea level to 1,022 meters.
Highest Mountains:	Sonsogad in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats (3,827 feet).
Monsoon :	June to September.
Rainfall :	March-April: Traces. May - June: Moderate (About 400-500mm). July-August: Maximum (About 1500-1800). September-October: Moderate (About 200-400mm).
Temperature:	Maximum: 34° C Minimum: 20° C
Clothing required:	Tropical clothing throughout the year. Light woolens can be worn during December and January.
Urban Population:	41%.
Growth rate(1981-91):	15.96%.
Sex ratio (Females per 1000 males)	969.
Per capita income:	Rs. 6939.

History Goa traces its history to a very ancient period. It was known for as Gopakappattan. An arrow from Lord Parsurama's bow fell into the sea instantly reclaiming the land called Gomant. This was during the Mahabharat -- today this reclaimed land is called Goa! Through known history, Goa has belonged to various Kingdoms starting with the Mauryas under Ashoka in 250 BC. From the 6th to 8th centuries, the Chalukyas dominated only to replaced by the Rashtrakutas and in turn the Kadambas over the next three centuries. Muslim rule came to Goa towards the end of the 14th century in the form of the Bahamanis who then lost it and recaptured it from the Vijaynagar emperors a century later. The last King to rule before the Portuguese set foot was Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur. In 1510 Albuquerque captured Old Goa. Over the next 351 years the Portuguese consolidated their hold over Goa, braving a Dutch blockade in 1603 and a Maratha attack in 1667.The Marathas were eventually routed in 1739 and thereafter until the Pinto revolution of 1787 there was no further threat to their rule. The 'New conquests' between 1782 and 1791 were the result of four decades of planning first initiated by King Joao V of Portugal. When India attained Independence in 1947, tremendous pressure was exerted on the Portuguese to hand over Goa, Daman and Diu. The Portuguese held on grimly, even using force on occasion (as in 1955 when a group of 'satyagrahis' from India was attacked). It was a case of delaying of the inevitable which happened on 19 December 1961 when the Indian Army marched in, after a Naval Blockade by the Indian Navy. 26 years later, Goa attained statehood shedding its erstwhile 'Union Territory' status on 30/5/1987. Tourist Season : Throughout the year (November to February is pleasant while June to September is rainy season). Museums Old Goa : Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery. Panaji : Museum of Goa, Daman and Diu-St. Inez. Pilgrim Centres Old Goa : Basilica of the Bom Jesus, the mortal remains St.Francis Xavier is kept here - Dabolim 27 km. Reis Magos: Church of Reis Magos A - Dabolim 29 km. Ponda: Shri Manguesh, Priol temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are other temple in Ponda like Shri Mahalsa, Shri Gopal Ganpati, Shri Shantadurga, Shri Naguesh, Shri Mahalakashmi, A-Dabolim 35km. Forests : The forest in Goa is nearly 1/3 of its geographical area. The total forest area is 1424sq.kms. of which 1224sq.kms. is under Government control and about 200sq.kms. under private owners. Wildlife management, which is an important component is being taken care of by scientific management of four sanctuaries which covers above 25 % of the Government forest areas of the State. Wild life Preservation Act 1972 is vigorously implemented.

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