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Explore
Goa
General
Information About Goa ---
sun, sand and sea...
Museum
|| Pilgrim
Centres || Forests
|| Festivals
Goa is lively and
modern, with many western style entertainments. there is a choice of
luxurious hotels with plenty of night life, or simplicity and
tranquility in one of the inexpensive, clean and comfortable rooms with
their own charm, right on the beach. The
Portuguese influenced food is mouthwatering. Choose massive fish steaks
fresh from the sea or a wide and delicious choice of both continental
and Indian dishes. Panaji, the capital, is an easy-going town with
Portuguese styled cafes, whitewashed churches and overhanging balconies;
a delight after your journey. Old Goa, east of Panaji, was once the
capital of the eastern Portuguese Empire.
Now, it is little more than a
fascinating small village surrounded by huge convents and churches
dedicated to the zeal of Christianity, including the Convent and Church
of St. Francis of Assisi and the famous Basilica of Bom Jesus. The
mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, who spread Christianity among the
subjects of the Portuguese colonies, are entombed here. Which beach to
choose from along the 100km long coastline of silvery sand. Possibly
Colva with its warm turquoise sea and fishermen hauling in their nets by
hand in the clear morning light as they chant an ancient sea song; or
maybe sophisticated Aguada, with its jet-set beach and sixteenth century
fort.
Try the experience of a full-moon party at Anjuna, or mingle with
the variety of people in Calangute selling handicrafts, jewellery and
modern fabrics. Enjoy the old Portuguese fort in Chapora, surrounded by
secluded and sandy beaches and dense green coconut palms. Visit all the
beaches or just adopt one and make it your home. Wild boar and sambar in
their natural habitat in the hills of the Western Ghats can be seen in
Bondla, one of the Goan wildlife sanctuaries. In addition, the region is
justly famous for its many colourful festivals, including Mardi Gras,
celebrated with Christian fervour. There are so many delights in Western
India and so many glorious choices; from the vibrant life of commercial
Bombay to the home of the indomitable Mahatma Gandhi then down to the
peace and magic of sunny Goa - the choice is yours. As a matter of fact
the Goa is for relaxation and experience the idyllic peace. If you have
ever dreamt of a warm land of space and light, where the beaches stretch
for silvery miles, where the glittering sea always beckons you, where
the people are always smiling, where the succulent juice from a bite of
ripe pineapples or papaya drips on your hot skin as you luxuriate lazily
on the white sand, then Goa, a fascinating blend of Latin and Indian
cultures, will be a place where the wish to linger will be overpowering.
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Capital:
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Panaji.
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Main
Languages:
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Konkani,
Marathi, Portuguese, and English.
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Area:
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3,702
sq. km.
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District:
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2.
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Population:
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1.6
million.
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Literacy:
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77%,
it is one of the highest literacy rate in country .
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Boundaries:
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East
and South-Karnataka; West-Arabian Sea; North- Maharashtra and
Terekhol River.
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Highways:
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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.
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Airport:
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Dabolim.
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Longest
rivers are:
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The
Zuari and The Mandovi.
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Altitude:
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Sea
level to 1,022 meters.
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Highest
Mountains:
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Sonsogad
in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats (3,827 feet).
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Monsoon
:
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June
to September.
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Rainfall
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March-April:
Traces.
May - June: Moderate (About 400-500mm).
July-August: Maximum (About 1500-1800).
September-October: Moderate (About 200-400mm).
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Temperature:
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Maximum:
34° C
Minimum: 20° C
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Clothing
required:
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Tropical
clothing throughout the year. Light woolens can be worn during
December and January.
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Urban
Population:
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41%.
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Growth
rate(1981-91):
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15.96%.
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Sex
ratio
(Females per 1000 males)
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969.
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Per
capita income:
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Rs.
6939.
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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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