Hotels, Resorts, & Travel Reservations
Up to 75% Discount

GOA INFORMATION

Goa, state in western India, formerly part of Portuguese India, bordered on the north by Maharashtra state, on the west by the Arabian Sea, and on the south and east by Karnataka state. Goa is India's smallest state, covering an area of 3,702 sq km (1,429 sq mi).

Goa is situated on the Malabar Coast and has sandy beaches and a tropical climate. Inland, Goa becomes hilly, stretching to part of the Western Ghats. 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 had a population of 1,169,793 at the time of the 1991 census, giving it an average density of 316 persons per sq km (819 per sq mi). Since then it has grown to 1,343,998 (2000). Panaji has been the capital since 1843. The population of Goa includes native inhabitants, Portuguese descendants, and the descendants of marriages between the two groups. Goa's official language is Konkani, although English, Hindi, and Marathi are also spoken. Most of the native inhabitants are Hindu, while many of the Portuguese descendants are Christians. In 1991, 76 percent of the population was literate. Goa University (founded in 1985) is located in the town of Taleigao.

Goa's known history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the Mauryan Empire. It was later ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur, around 2000 years ago it was passed on to the Chalukya Dynasty, who controlled it between 580 to 750. Over the next few centuries Goa was successively ruled by the Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani, rulers of Deccan India.

In 1312, Goa came under the governance of the Delhi Sultanate. However, the kingdom's grip on the region was weak, and by 1370 they were forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the Vijayanagara empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga. After that dynasty crumbled, the area fell to the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur who made Velha Goa their auxiliary capital. In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur kings with the help of a local ally, Timayya, leading to the establishment of a permanent settlement in Velha Goa (or Old Goa).

Much of Goa’s allure is its native Hindu culture combined with its Portugese-Christian heritage. It has a long, colourful history dating back to 300 BC when it was part of the Mauryan Empire under the Buddhist king Ashoka. According to legend, Goa was formed when Parashurama (an incarnation of Vishnu) shot an arrow from the Western Ghats into the sea and the land rose up. Under the Chalukyans of Badami (570-750AD) the capital was Chandrapura, then, under the Kadambas, it was transferred to Gowapuri (c.1050). Between 1370-78 Goa was incorporated into the Vijayanagar Empire and its harbours became important for the Arabian horse trade.

By 1490 it had been conquered by the Bahmanis and then the Adil Shahs of Bijapura, who made Velha Goa (Old Goa) the Capital. In 1510 the Portugese, under Alfonso de Albuquerque, invaded Old Goa in order to secure the “Spice Route”. By 1788 they had secured their hold on all Goa, and this era became known as Goa’s “Golden Age”. Churches and cathedrals were built and the natives forcibly converted to catholicism (Old Goa was known then as ‘Rome in India’). In 1893, due to the silting of the Mandovi River, the capital was moved to Panjim (Panaji).

In 1961, fourteen years after the British left, the Indian army peacefully ‘liberated’ Goa from the Portugese in ‘Operation Vijay’. On 30th May 1987 it achieved full statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Union.

The Secretariat in Panaji is the seat of the Goa Legislative Assembly which has 40 elected members. Though Goa has 3 elected members of Central Parliament, the Head of State is the Governor who is advised by a council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister.Whilst Panaji is the capital, the state is divided into North Goa and South Goa (with its headquarters at Margao).

While the majority of Goa’s 1.2million inhabitants are Roman Catholic, there is also a large minority of Hindus and various sects of Islam. Similarly, though Goa’s own language (Konkani) predominates, Marathi, Hindi and Portugese are also spoken along with English, which is the lingua franca.

The major industries are mining (iron, manganese, bauxite & silica), agriculture (coconut, cashew, fruit & spices), fishing and tourism.