Details of Goa
States & Union Territory Of India
- State CapitalPanajiPopulation ('000s in1991)1170Area ('000 sq. km)3.7Females per 1000 males (1991)967Literacy rate (1991)75.5Ratio of urban population (1991)41Net Domestic Product(Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93)12220Per Capita Income(Rs. at current prices)10128
- Principal LanguagesMarathi & Konkani
The 131 kilometre long
coastline of Goa, is set on the golden Konkan coast on the Western Ghats
of India, along the Arabian Sea. This small state is one of India's
most dazzling tourist attractions. Goa deserves every bit of the
sobriquet, the 'Pearl of the East'.
On the northern side of Goa runs the Terekhol river,
which separates Goa from Maharashtra. On the southern side, lies the
North Canara district of Karnataka, while on the eastern side are the
Western Ghats. On the west is the Arabian sea.
The name Goa is derived from the Konkani word
'Goyan', which means a patch of tall grass. Mythologically, Goa's origin
is ascribed to Parshurama, a god of the Hindu pantheon. In the first
century of the Christian Era, Goa was a part of the Satavahana empire,
followed by the Kadamba, the Rashtrakutas of Malked, the Chalukyas and
the Silahars. The empire of the Yadavas was displaced by the Khiljis
from Delhi, by the end of the 14th century, which heralded the advent of
Muslim rule to Goa.
After the discovery of a sea route to India, by Vasco
da Gama in 1498, many Portuguese expeditions came to India. In 1510,
Afonso de Albuquerque, with the help of the emperor of Vijayanagar,
attacked and captured Goa. Proselytisation in Goa, began with the
arrival of Jesuit Saint Francisco Xavier in 1542. The Portuguese
continued to rule over the territory, except for an interlude, during
the latter half of the 17th century, when Shivaji conquered a few areas
in and around Goa. On 19th December 1961, Goa was liberated, and made a
composite Indian union territory with Daman and Diu. On 30th May 1987,
Goa was conferred statehood, and Daman and Diu were combined to make a
separate union territory.
Goa successfully blends old Portuguese architecture
and traditions, with a lifestyle that abounds with Indian mythology. Its
unending beaches, pristine beauty of the seascape, its mystical hills
and groves, the rhythmic pounding of the sea, its swaying palms - all
render it a fairytale land for the traveller. At Goa, one can add
excitement and adventure to beauty. There are a host of aquatic sports
to choose from, riding the daunting waves or racing against the wind.
The beaches of tourist interest are Colva, Calangute,
Vagator, Harmal, Anjuna and Miramar. Other tourist attractions are
Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral churches at Old Goa; Kavlem,
Mardol, Mangesh, Bandora temples; Aguad, Terekhol, Chapora and Cabo de
Rama Forts; Dudhsagar and Harvalem Waterfalls and Mayem Lake Resort. The
state also has fascinating wildlife sanctuaries like Bondla, Cotigao,
Molem and Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao.
Compiled by My Preparation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Examination for the blog http://maharashtrapublicserviceexams.blogspot.com
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