about goa?

Answer 1

The Best Of: Goa
By Felix Milns
Published: 20 March 2005
The most tourist-friendly state in India, Goa is also the most European, thanks to 450 years of Portuguese rule, an era that has left its mark on the architecture, food and religion. Separated from the rest of India by the Western Ghats, the state is fringed by beaches and peppered with churches, mosques, temples and old forts.

The most tourist-friendly state in India, Goa is also the most European, thanks to 450 years of Portuguese rule, an era that has left its mark on the architecture, food and religion. Separated from the rest of India by the Western Ghats, the state is fringed by beaches and peppered with churches, mosques, temples and old forts.

Answer 2

Goa and North kerala are the best tourist spots in India. The tourist season in Goa starts in October and ends in middle of June. April and May are the best time for Indian tourists to visit Goa. If you want to visit Goa we can arrange good stay in a river home with your family and can arrange sight seeing. I am based in Goa. Contact: 09970126106. Or E-mail: [e-mail]

Answer 3

Goa pronunciation (helpinfo) (Konkani: goya; Marathi: gov; Portuguese: Goa) is India's smallest state in terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population (after Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh).
It is located on the west coast of India, in the region known as the Konkan, and is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, Karnataka to the east and south and the Arabian Sea binds it to the west.
Panaji (Panjim) is the state's capital, and Vasco-da-Gama (Vasco) its largest city. The second largest and most historic city is Margao with the most western Portuguese culture.
Portuguese merchants first landed in Goa in the 15th century, and annexed it soon after. The Portuguese colony existed for about 450 years, until it was taken over by India in 1961[1][2].
Internationally renowned for its beaches, Goa is visited by hundreds of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists each year, and has become one of the most popular holiday destinations for European travellers, particularly in the Northern hemisphere winter.

Besides beaches, Goa is also known for its world heritage architecture including the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Goa also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which are classified as a biodiversity hotspot.

Answer 4

i have been to goa for more than 6 times.It is a beautiful where u can enjoy a lot in beaches like calangute, white sand beach(Colva), miramar beach.In summer it would be the sexiest place in India and there r churches, restaurants, etc.It is a perfect tourist destination in summer.

Answer 5

Hotels in Goa
Mid Budget Accommodation in Anjuna
Anjuna Beach Resort De Mello Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Bougainvillea
(Grandpa's Inn) Gaunwadi, at the east side of the Village on the main Mapusa Rd Tel. [phone]
Boon's Ark 537/2 , Near 'C' Shell, Vagator, Anjuna 2274045
9822 175620
Don Joao Resort Sorranto Vaddo Tel. 274325
Poonam Guest House near bus stand 2273247
Palacete Rodrigues near Oxford Stores Tel. [phone]
Palmasol Guest House Praia de St anthony, behind the middle of the beach Tel. [phone]
Villa Anjuna Anjuna Beach Road, 2273443/2274239
White Negro 719 Praia de St anthony, south of the village Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Baga
Alidia Beach Cottages Baga Rd, Saunta Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Annette north of Baga Rd, Opposite CSM Tel. [phone]
Baia do Sol Baga square, north end

2276085, 2276068,
272470
CSM leisure Resort Cobra Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Capt Lobo's Beach Hideaway Cobra Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Cavala Seaside Resort Saunta Vaddo, on the main road Tel. [phone]
Colonia Sant Maria down the lane from Pagoda Resturant Tel. [phone]
Hacienda baga Rd Tel. [phone]
Lua Nova north of the main road Tel. 276288, 2277173
Riverside on the river bank Tel. [phone]
Ronil Beach Resort Saunta Vaddo,Baga Rd Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Calangute
Anol Haven 6/85A, Cobra Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Arabian Retreat Gaura Vaddo, Calangute Tel. [phone]
Bonanza south Calangute Tel. [phone]
Cap's Corner Baga Rd,Cobra Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Chalston Hotel Tel. [phone]
Concha Beach Resort Umta Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Estrela do Mar Baga Rd, South Calangute Tel. [phone]
Golden Eye A-1/189, Gaura Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Johnny's Hotel Tel. [phone]
Julma Beach Resort South Calangute Tel. [phone]
Kamat's Holiday village near St Anthony's Chapel Tel. [phone]
Kismet Mahal E-1/221, Gaura Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Landscape South of St anthony's church Tel. [phone]
Linda Goa south Calangute Tel. [phone]
Nizmar Resort Naikavaddo 2275909/12/13
Mira Umata Vaddo,near the Chapel Tel. [phone]
Paradise Village south Calangute near the beach Tel. [phone]
Varma Beach Resort Calangute 2276077
98221-64977
White House Gaura Vaddo,near Goan heritage Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Candolim
Aguada Holiday Resort Bamon Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Aldeia Santa Rita Towards Aguda Tel. [phone]
Casa Blanca
Beach Resorts Wadi, Candolim 2479480 / 2479224 / 3090606
Melodious Waves Dando Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Ruffles Beach Resorts Fort Aguada Road 5641039
Sea Side Rendezvous Candolim Tel. [phone]
Silver Sand Holiday Village Candolim Tel. [phone]
Tropicana Beach Resort 835/b, Camotim Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Village Belle Candolim Tel. [phone]
Xavier Beach Resort Vaddy, off Fort Aguda Rd Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Dona Paula
Dona Paula Beach Resort Tel. [phone]
Villa Sol Ashwin Resort Tel. [phone]

Mid Budget Accomodation in Mapusa
Green Park, Panama Rd, Bypass Junction Tel. [phone]
Satyaheera opposite Municipal Garden Tel. [phone]
Vilena near the Muncipality building Tel.[phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Miramar
Blue Bay Caranzalam Beach Tel. [phone]
Goa International Tonca Tel. [phone]
Natasha oppsite Parade Ground Tel. [phone]
Solmar D Bandhokar Marg Tel. [phone]
Swimsea Beach Resort Caranzalam Beach Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Panaji
Arcadia MG Rd Tel. [phone]
Aroma Cunha Rivara Rd Tel. [phone]
Bareton Luis Menezes Rd Tel. [phone]
Blessings Mg Rd Tel. [phone]
Caritas Holiday Home St Inez Tel. [phone]
Garden View Diogo de Couto Rd Tel. [phone]
GTDC Tourist Hostel Avda Dom Loao Castro Tel. [phone]
Hotel Delmon Caetano De Albuquerque Road 2226846-7
Keni's 18th June Rd Tel. [phone]
Mayfairand Roma Dr. Dada Vaidhya Rd Tel. [phone]
Palacio de Goa Gama Pinto Rd Tel. [phone]
Panjim Inn E-212, 31 January Rd, Fountainhas Tel. [phone]
Park Plaza Azad Maidan Tel. [phone]
Rajdhani Dr. Atmaram Borkar Rd Tel. [phone]
Samrat Dr. Dada Vaidya Rd Tel. [phone]
Sona Rua de Qurem Rd Tel. [phone]
Summit Menezes Braganza Rd Tel. [phone]
Sunrise 18th June Rd Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Vagator
Royal Resort Vagator Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Benaulim
Carina Beach Resort Tamdi-Mati, Vas Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Failaka Adsulim Nagar Tel. [phone]
Maynard Goa Beach Resort south of johncy's
Palm Grove Cottages Tamdi-Mati, 149 Vas Vaddo Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Bogamalo
Joet's Guest House right on the beach Tel. [phone]
Petite Guest House near the beach Tel.[phone]
Saritas on the beach Tel. [phone]
Raj Resort Bogmalo 2555177
Vinny's Holiday Resort overlooking Bay Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Colva
Colmor on the beach road Tel. [phone]
Colva Beach Resort Colva Tel.[phone]
Concha Resort Colva Tel. [phone]
Graciano Cottages Forth Ward, Colva Beach Forth Ward, Colva Beach
La Ben on the beach road Tel. [phone]
Longuinho's Beach Resort north of the beachfront Tel. [phone]
Sea Queen 1 km north of beachfront Tel. [phone]
Skylark Cottages Colva Tel. [phone]
Sukhsagar Beach Resort opposite the Penthouse Tel. [phone]
William's Resort on the beach road Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Margao
HillView Aquem Alto Tel. [phone]
La Flor Erasmo Carvalho Tel. [phone]
Metropole Avenida Conceicao Tel. [phone]
Woodlands Miguel Loyola Furtado Rd Tel. [phone]
Top
Mid Budget Accommodation in Vasco
Bismarck behind Auto Service Tel.[phone]
Citadel Pe Jose Vaz Rd Tel. [phone]
La Paz Gardens Swantra Path Tel. [phone]
Maharaja opposite Hindustan Petroleum Tel. [phone]
Nagina Dattatreya Deshpande Rd Tel. [phone]

Answer 6

Goa pronunciation (help·info) (Konkani: गोंय goṃya; Marathi: गोवा govā; Portuguese: Goa) is India's smallest state in terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population (after Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh).
It is located on the west coast of India, in the region known as the Konkan, and is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, Karnataka to the east and south and the Arabian Sea binds it to the west.
Panaji (Panjim) is the state's capital, and Vasco-da-Gama (Vasco) its largest city. The second largest and most historic city is Margao with the most western Portuguese culture.
Portuguese merchants first landed in Goa in the 15th century, and annexed it soon after. The Portuguese colony existed for about 450 years, until it was taken over by India in 1961[1][2].

Internationally renowned for its beaches, Goa is visited by hundreds of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists each year, and has become one of the most popular holiday destinations for European travellers, particularly in the Northern hemisphere winter.

Besides beaches, Goa is also known for its world heritage architecture including the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Goa also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which are classified as a biodiversity hotspot
The name Goa came to European languages brought by the Portuguese colonisers, but its precise origin is unclear. The Indian epic Mahabharata refers to the area now known as Goa, as 'Goparashtra' or 'Govarashtra"' which means a nation of cowherds. 'Gopakapuri' or 'Gapakapattana' were used in some ancient Sanskrit texts, and these names were also mentioned in other sacred Hindu texts such as the Harivansa and the Skanda Purana. In the latter, Goa is also known as "Gomanchala". Gove, Govapuri, Gopakpattan, and Gomant are some other names that the region is referred to in certain inscriptions and texts such as the Puranas. It has also been known as "Aprant".


History
Main article: History of Goa

A chapel in Old Goa, an example of Portuguese architecture.Goa has a long history stretching back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the Mauryan Empire. Goa was later ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur (in Maharashtra) around two thousand years ago. It eventually passed to the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled it between 580 to 750. Over the next few centuries Goa was successively ruled by the Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyans 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 Vijayanagara. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory for the next hundred years until 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga. After the dynasty crumbled, the area came under the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur who made Velha Goa their auxiliary capital.

In 1498, Vasco da Gama became the first European to set foot in India through a sea route, landing in Calicut (Kozhikode) in Kerala, followed by an arrival in what is now known as Old Goa. The Portuguese arrived with the intention of setting up a colony and seizing complete control of the spice trade from other European powers after traditional land routes to India were closed by the Ottoman Turks. Later, in 1510, Portuguese admiral Afonso de Albuquerque 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). The Portuguese intended it to be a colony and a naval base, distinct from the fortified enclaves established elsewhere along India's coasts.


Ruins of Fort Aguada in north Goa; one of the defences that the Portuguese built during their reign.
Chapora River boatWith the imposition of the Inquisition (1560–1812), many of the local residents were forcibly converted to Christianity by missionaries, threatened by punishment or confiscation of land, titles or property. Many converted, however retaining parts of their Hindu heritage. To escape the Inquisition and harassment, thousands fled the state, settling down in the neighbouring towns of Mangalore and Karwar in Karnataka. With the arrival of the other European powers in India in the 16th century, most Portuguese possessions were surrounded by the British and the Dutch. Portuguese possessions in India were a few enclaves along India's west coast, with Goa being the largest of these holdings.

An interesting development of the 18th century in Goa is the Conspiracy Of The Pintos in 1787 which was inspired by the French Revolution. This was the first ethnic rebellion against Portuguese rule in Goa. Goa soon became their most important possession in India, and was granted the same civic privileges as Lisbon. The Portuguese encouraged its citizens to marry local women, and to settle in Goa. However, among the local population (both Christian and Hindu) this was looked down upon. Progeny of these unions called the mestiço were favourably considered by the Portuguese rulers. Subsequently, a senate was created, which maintained direct communications with the king. In 1843 the capital was moved to Panjim from Velha Goa. By mid-18th century the area under occupation had expanded to most of Goa's present day state limits.

After India gained independence from the British in 1947, Portugal refused to accede to India's demand to relinquish their control of its exclave. Resolution 1541 by the United Nations General Assembly in 1960 noted that Goa was non-self-governing and essentially showed sympathy toward self determination. Finally, on December 12, 1961, the Indian army with 40,000 troops moved in. Fighting lasted for twenty-six hours before the Portuguese garrison surrendered. Goa, along with Daman and Diu (enclaves lying to the north of Maharashtra), was made into a centrally administered Union Territory. India's takeover of Goa is commemorated annually on the 19th of December (Liberation Day). The UN Security Council considered a resolution condemning the invasion which was vetoed by the Soviet Union. Most nations later recognised India's action, and Portugal recognised it after its Carnation Revolution in 1974. On May 30, 1987, the Union Territory was split, and Goa was elevated as India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining Union Territories.

India's takeover of Goa served as the model and precedent for Indonesia invading and annexing the former Portuguese colony of East Timor in 1974 - with the Indonesians expecting (very wrongly, as it turned out) that their act would be eventually accepted by the international community and the territory's own population, as India's act in Goa was.

1955 reclamation of Goa (file info) — Watch in browser
Newsreel footage of Goa, 1955. (5.2 MB, ogg/Theora format).
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Geography and Climate
Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km² (1,430 sq mile). It lies between the latitudes 14°53'54" N and 15°40'00" N and longitudes 73°40'33" E and 74°20'13" E. Most of Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan, which is an escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which separate it from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor, with an altitude of 1,167 metres (3,827 feet). Goa has a coastline of 101 km (63 miles).

Goa's main rivers are the Mandovi, the Zuari, the Terekhol, Chapora River and the Betul. The Mormugao harbour on the mouth of the river Zuari is one of the best natural harbours in South Asia. The Zuari and the Mandovi are the lifelines of Goa, with their tributaries draining 69% of its geographic area. Goa has more than forty estuarine, eight marine and about ninety riverine islands. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 miles). Goa has more than three hundred ancient tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over a hundred medicinal springs.[1]

Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of laterites which are rich in ferric aluminium oxides and reddish in colour. Further inland and along the river banks, the soil is mostly alluvial and loamy. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus conducive to plantation. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in Goa between Molem and Anmod on Goa's border with Karnataka. The rocks are classified as Trondjemeitic Gneiss estimated to be 3,600 million years old, dated by the Rubidium isotope dating method. A specimen of the rock is exhibited in the Goa University.

Goa, being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea, has a warm and humid climate for most of the year. The month of May is the hottest, seeing day temperatures of over 35°C (95°F) coupled with high humidity. The monsoon rains arrive by early June and provide a much needed respite from the heat. Most of Goa's annual rainfall is received through the monsoons which last till late September.

Goa has a short cool season between mid-December and February. These months are marked by cool nights of around 20°C (68°F) and warm days of around 29°C (84°F) with moderate amounts of humidity. Further inland, due to altitudinal gradation, the nights are a few degrees cooler.[2]


Subdivisions

Talukas of Goa. Talukas in purple shades belong to North Goa district, and orange denote South Goa.The state is divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa. Panaji is the headquarters of the north Goa district and Margao of the south district. Each district is governed by a district collector, an administrator appointed by the Indian government.

The districts are further divided into eleven talukas – Talukas of North Goa are Bardez, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Satari and Tiswadi, the talukas of South Goa are Canacona, Mormugao, Quepem, Salcete and Sanguem. Headquarters of the respective talukas are Mapusa, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Valpoi, Panjim, Chaudi, Vasco, Quepem, Margao and Sanguem.

In the Parliament of India, Goa has two seats in the Lok Sabha, one representing each district, and one seat in the Rajya Sabha.


The Salim Ali Bird sanctuary is one of the best-known bird sanctuaries in India.
[edit] Flora and Fauna
Main article: Flora and fauna of Goa

Forest cover in Goa stands at 1,424 km², most of which is owned by the government.[3] Most of the forests in the state are located in the interior eastern regions of the state. The Western Ghats, which form most of eastern Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. In the February 1999 issue of National Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity.

Goa's state animal is the Gaur, the state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, which is a variation of Black-crested Bulbul, and the state tree is the Asna.

The important forests products are bamboo canes, Maratha barks, chillar barks and the bhirand. Coconut trees are ubiquitous and are present in almost all areas of Goa barring the elevated regions. A large number of deciduous vegetation consisting of teak, sal, cashew and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruits, mangos, pineapples and blackberries.

Foxes, wild boars and migratory birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers. Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, jellyfish, oysters and catfish form some of the piscine catch. Goa also has a high snake population, which keeps the rodent population in control. Goa has many famous National Parks, including the renowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaryand the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao.

Goa has more than 33% of its geographic area under government forests (1224.38 km².) of which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area.


[edit] Economy

Production of sisal in Goa (Salcete)
India rubber production in Goa (Salcete)
Shipping is one of Goa's main industries
Fishing in the Chapora river.
[edit] Macro-economic trend
This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Goa at market prices estimated by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.

Year Gross State Domestic Product
1980 3,980
1985 6,550
1990 12,570
1995 33,190
2000 76,980

Goa's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $3 billion in current prices.

Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole, and one of its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average 1990-2000

Industry
The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores and mining forms the second largest industry. Mining in Goa focuses on ores of iron, Bauxite, manganese, clays, limestone and silica. Agriculture, while of shrinking importance to the economy over the past four decades, offers part-time employment to a sizable portion of the populace. Rice is the main agricultural crop, followed by areca, cashew and coconut. The fishing industry provides employment for about forty thousand people, though recent official figures indicate a decline of the importance of this sector and also a fall in catch, perhaps coupled with the fact that traditional fishing has given way to large-scale mechanised trawling.

Medium scale industries include the manufacturing of pesticides, fertilisers, tyres, tubes, footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wheat products, steel rolling, fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles, brewery products. Goa is also notable for its low liquor prices due to its very low excise duty on alcohol. Another source of cash inflow into the state comes from many of its citizens who work abroad and remit money to their families. Zuari Industries (2005 gross income Rs.36,302 million) and Sesa Goa (2005 gross income Rs.17,265 million) are two S&P CNX 500 conglomerates which have corporate offices in Goa.[citation needed]

Services
Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it handles 12%[4] of all foreign tourist arrivals in India. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.

Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland. In 2004 there were more than 2 million tourists reported to have visited Goa, 400,000 of which were from abroad. There are several reasons why tourists are visiting Goa in increasing numbers. First, because of the historical development of the area, the inhabitants of Goa are increasingly used to contact with foreigners. Additionally, a large portion (approx 35%) of the Goan people are Catholic. This cultural heritage from the time of the Portuguese colonization makes the state somewhat more intimate to European or American people than the rest of the Indian subcontinent. Goan culture incorporates a very non-problematic mix of Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.

The food of Goa is a mixture of foods from Portugal, Western India and Arabia (and, in the tourist season, from Kashmir as well). Goa is one of the few places in India that you can go to a restaurant and order (beside fish and chicken) both beef and pork, which are usually served very lightly spiced; beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks are sold freely.

These attributes, together with the fact that Goa’s economy is among the most prosperous in India, have won Goa the nickname "India for beginners" – the great differences between Europe and India, very apparent in other parts of India due to large slums and other problems, are much less pronounced.
Transport
Goa's main form of public transport largely consists of privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas. Government-run white-with-blue-and-red-stripes buses, maintained by a service called the Kadamba Transport Corporation, links both major routes (like the Panjim-Margao route) and also some of the more remote parts of the state and taluka headquarters. In large towns such as Panjim and Margao, intra-city buses serve its citizens. Public transport in Goa is not very efficient, and most buses stop plying on routes a little after dusk.

Residents depend heavily on their own transport, usually motorised two-wheelers. Goa has two National Highways passing through it. NH-17 runs along India's west coast and links Goa to Bombay in the north and Mangalore to the south. NH-4A running across the state connects the capital Panjim to Belgaum in east, linking Goa to cities in the Deccan. The NH-17A connects NH-17 to Mormugao Harbour from Cortalim, and the new NH-17B, once complete will be a four lane highway connecting Mormugao Harbour to NH-17 at another location, Verna, via Dabolim airport. Goa has a total of 224 km of National highway, 232 km of state highway and 815 km of district highway.

Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis, and, in urban areas, auto rickshaws. A unique form of transport in Goa is the yellow-and-black two-wheeler Motorcycle taxi, operated by drivers who are locally called "pilots". These vehicles transport a single pillion rider, at fares that are usually negotiated prior or after the journey. In some places in Goa, there are river crossings which are serviced by the ferry boats, operated by the river navigation departments. Goa has two rail lines – one run by the South Western Railway and the other by the Konkan Railway. The line run by the South Western Railway was built during the colonial era linking the port town of Vasco da Gama to Hubli in Karnataka and passing through Margao. The line, earlier a metre gauge, was recently converted to broad gauge. The Konkan Railway line, which was built during the 1990s, runs parallel to the coast connecting Mumbai to the Malabar Coast.

Goa's sole airport, the Dabolim Airport, is a military airport, though civilian flights are permitted when the fields can be spared from military uses. Dabolim Airport sees a large number of tourists arriving from London Gatwick airport every year. In addition to regular flights, the airport handles a large number of chartered flights. The Mormugao harbour near the city of Vasco handles mineral ore, petroleum, coal and international containers. Much of the shipments consist of minerals and ores from Goa's hinterland. Panjim, which is situated on the banks of the Mandovi, also has a minor port, which used to handle passenger steamers between Goa and Mumbai till the late 1980s.
Demographics
A native of Goa is called a Goan in English, 'Goenkar' in Konkani, 'Goês' (male) or 'Goesa' (female) in Portuguese, and a 'Govekar' in Marathi.

Goa has at present a population of 1.344 million residents, making it India's fourth smallest (after Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh). The population has a growth rate of 14.9% per annum. There are 363 people for each square kilometre of the land. 49.77% of the population lives in urban areas. The sex ratio is 960 females to 1000 males. Goa's literacy rate is 82.32%, broken down into: males 88.88% and females 75.51%.[5] Hinduism (65%), Catholicism (30%)[6] and Islam are the three main religions in Goa. Roman Catholicism reached Goa during the period of European colonization, which began in 1498 when the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived on the Malabar coast. Goa's major cities include Vasco, Margao, Marmagao (also known as Murgaon or Mormugão), Panjim and Mapusa. The region connecting the last four cities is considered a de facto conurbation, or a more or less continuous urban area.

The official language of Goa is Konkani. Following the end of Portuguese rule, the most widely used languages are Konkani as the primary spoken language, English for official, literary or educational purposes and other languages including Marathi.30% percent of Goan population speak Kannada in the state. Language is a controversial issue in Goa, over which an agitation was fought between two contending pro-Konkani and pro-Marathi camps between 1985-87. Majority of the Goans united and fought for Konkani as their mother tongue. After the agitation ended in 1987, a complex formula grants 'official language' status to Konkani. Given the bitter rivalry between the two lobbies, clubbed with a maudlin issue has resulted in a stalemate over the actual implementation. Portuguese, the earlier language of the elite, has been hit by shrinking numbers, though a small section still prefer it as the medium for discourse at home, while even a few Portuguese books have been published in recent years. English, viewed as a language of opportunity and social mobility is widely understood by the many of the state residents. Hindi, India's national language, is also spoken as a second language. Whereas, in the past, most people spoke Konkani, nowadays Hindi is increasingly heard due to lots of immigrants from rest of India.

Culture

An example of traditional Portuguese-influenced Goan architecture.The most popular celebrations in Goa are Christmas, Easter Sunday, Ganesh Chaturthi, New Year's Day, the Shigmo festival and the Carnival. However, since the 1960s, the celebrations of the Shigmo and carnival have shifted to the urban centres, and in recent times these festivals are seen more as a means of attracting tourists. Celebrations for all festivals usually last for a few days and include parties and balls.

Western English songs have a large following in most parts of Goa. Traditional Konkani folk songs too have a sizable following. Manddo, the traditional Goan music which originated in the nineteenth century, is sung and danced on special occasions. Goa is also known for its Goa trance music.

Rice with fish curry is the staple diet in Goa. Goa is renowned for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil is widely used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique flavour. Pork dishes such as Vindaloo, Xacuti and Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions among the Catholics. An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the aroma of Khatkhate. A rich egg-based multi-layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a favourite at Christmas. The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni; Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms.

Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica and a few designated convents. The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. Once every decade, the body is taken down for veneration and for public viewing. The last such event was conducted in 2004. The Velhas Conquistas regions are also known for its Goa-Portuguese style architecture.

In many parts of Goa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecture still stand, though in some villages, most of them are in a dilapidated condition. Fontainhas in Panjim, has been declared a cultural quarter, and are used as a living museum showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa. Some influences from the Portuguese era are visible in some of Goa's temples, notably the Mangueshi Temple, although after 1961, many of these were demolished and reconstructed in the indigenous Indian style.

Football is widely popular in Goa, particularly around Margao where the main football stadium, located at the Fatorda, Margao. Football is also played in local fields, during the non-monsoon, non-planting season, particular in central coastal Goa. Many of the country's top NFL clubs such as the Vasco, Salgaocar, Dempo, Sporting Clube de Goa, Fransa-Pax Football Club and Churchill Brothers are based in Goa.

In recent decades, a growing influence of cricket is visible, in large part fuelled by the massive coverage this sport gets on national television, thus making an impact even in a part of South Asia which hardly had any contact with the British Empire.

The state's sole stadium is the Fatorda stadium, located near Margao. The stadium hosts both international football as well as cricket matches. Field Hockey is the third most popular sport.

See also: Music of Goa and Goa literature

Government and Politics
Panjim, or earlier called Pangim in Portuguese times, and known in the local language as Ponn'je is the administrative capital of Goa lying on the left bank of the Mandovi near Panjim. Goa's legislative capital is Porvorim – the seat of the Goa assembly, which lies across the Mandovi River. The state's judicial capital, however, is Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay, and not within the state's borders), as the state comes under the Bombay High Court. A bench of the High Court is present in Panaji. Goa contributes two seats to the Lok Sabha and one to the Rajya Sabha, in India's bicameral parliament.

Goa has a unicameral legislature consisting of a forty member Legislative Assembly, headed by a Chief Minister who wields the executive power. The ruling government consists of the party or coalition garnering the most seats in the state elections and enjoying the support of a simple majority of the House. The governor is appointed by the President of India. The governor's role is largely ceremonial, but plays a crucial role when it comes to deciding who should form the next government or in suspending the legislature as has happened in the recent past. After having stable governance for nearly thirty years up to 1990, Goa is now notorious for its political instability having seen fourteen governments in the span of the fifteen years between 1990 and 2005.[7] In March 2005 the assembly was dissolved by the governor and President's Rule was declared, which suspended the legislature. A recent by-election in June 2005 saw the Congress coming back to power after winning three of the five seats that went to polls. The Congress party and the BJP are the two largest parties in the state. Other parties include the United Goans Democratic Party, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party is the oldest in the state, though in recent times it has lost out much of its traditional electorate.

The people of Goa came together to protest against the Regional Plan. Goans say that the current government, led by controversial Town Planning Minister Babush Montserrat, is literally selling the state to the highest bidder. Trees and hills have been cut indiscriminately in this beautiful state known for its tourism and greenery. The Archbishop of Goa Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao said about the Government's Regional Plan that "selfish-minded" politicians will ruin the state with their "pet projects".

Finally, due to the pressure mounting on the Congress Government in Goa, by the NGOs, the Church, Students of Goa and by the people of Goa, the Government had to bow down for the cause of democracy in Goa by scraping the Regional Plan 2011 after the CLP and Cabinet meetings held on January 18, 2007 at the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Unlike other states, which follow the British Indian model of civil laws framed for individual religions, the Portuguese Uniform Civil Code, based on the Napoleonic Codes, has been retained by the Goa government.

Media and Communication
Radio
Goa was once home to the Emissora Goa, a powerful radio station that was widely listened to when this small region was still a Portuguese colony. After the end of Portuguese rule, this station was replaced by a station from the All India Radio network.

The All India Radio is currently the only radio channel in the state, broadcasting in both FM and AM bands. Its studios are at Altinho, the hillock atop state capital Panaji and its transmitters are located at Bambolim, some 5 km away. Bambolim also houses some powerful transmitters that broadcast foreign-language programmes as part of India's international programme to overseas destinations. Besides the local primary channel, All India Radio also has an FM channel called Rainbow FM. In early 2006, it extended its FM broadcast hours from roughly half-day to full-day.

In end-January 2006, three private FM radio players—ENIL (Times group – Radio Mirchi) Rs 17.1 million; Indigo (BPL – Rajiv Chandrasekhar) Rs 12.9 million; and Adlabs (Reliance – Anil Ambani group) Rs 12.1 million—won bids to set up private FM radio stations in Goa.

St Xavier's College in Mapusa has announced its plans to set up a low-powered campus FM radio station, for which it has been granted permission. This was due to begin operations in February 2006, but has apparently been delayed.

Soon, BIG FM 93.7 FM will be launched in Goa.

Newspapers and Magazines
Local newspaper publications include the English language Herald (it is Goa's oldest surviving newspaper and was, until 1983, a Portuguese paper known as oHeraldo but shifted over to the English language then), the lively but smaller Gomantak Times and the first English-language daily to be published from Goa Navhind Times. In addition to these, The Times of India and the Indian Express are also received from Bombay and Bangalore in the urban areas.

Among the list of officially-accredited newspapers are The Navhind Times, The Herald Times and The Gomantak Times (all in the English language) and Gomantak, Tarun Bharat, Navprabha, Pudhari, Goa Times, Sanatan Prabhat, Govadoot (all in Marathi), besides Sunaparant in Devanagiri-script Konkani. All are dailies. Gomantak was once the leading daily of Goa, before being overtaken by Tarun Bharat .

Out-station dailies, reaching Goa from other centres of publication, include Kesari, Times Of India, Maharashtra Times, Loksatta, The Asian Age, Deccan Herald, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times, Navashakti, etc. Among the two mainstream news agencies operating in the state are the Press Trust of India and the United News of India.

Other publications in the state include Goa Today (English-language, monthly), Goan Observer (English, weekly), Vavraddeancho Ixtt (Roman-script Konkani, weekly) Goa Messenger, Gulab (Konkani, monthly), Bimb (Devanagiri-script Konkani), Harbour Times, [Digital Goa], and "J's House".


Television
Goa is served by almost all the television channels available in India. Channels are received through cable in most parts of Goa. In the interior regions, channels are received via satellite dishes.

Doordarshan (DD), the national television broadcaster, has two free terrestrial channels on air. Goa has all the cable TV channels generally found in India, namely: MTV, ESPN, Fox, Zee TV, ZEE Marathi, HBO, Star Plus, Star Movies, BBC, CNN, Tensports, AXN, Star World, Star News, Fashion TV, Sony, Set Max, SAB, Sahara One, Sahara News, Discovery Channel, National Geographic , Animal Planet, etc. Electronic media with staff stationed in Goa include ETC, ANI, Sahara, NDTV. Local cable-TV based news operations include Goa 365 (English), Goa Newsline and Goa Plus (both Konkani).

DTH (Direct To Home) TV services are available from Dish TV, Tata Sky & DD Direct Plus.


Telecom
Major cellular service operators include Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, BSNL, Hutch, Bharti Airtel and Idea cellular.


Education
Each taluka is made up of villages, each having a school run by the government. However, many of the state's residents prefer to enroll in privately run schools, which offer better facilities. All schools come under the state SSC whose syllabus is prescribed by the state Education department. There are also a few schools run by the all-India ICSE board. Most students in Goa complete their high school using English as the medium of instruction. Primary schools, on the other hand is largely run in Konkani (in private, but government-aided schools). As is the case in most of India, enrollment for vernacular media has seen a fall in numbers in favour of English medium education. One of the best English medium private schools run by the Goa Jesuits is Loyola High School based in Margao. Formed in the 19th Century it was initially founded for the elite of Margao but later this restriction was removed due to the growing urban population.

After ten years of schooling, students join a Junior College which offers courses in popular streams such as Science, Arts, Law and Commerce. Additionally, many join three year diploma courses. Two years of college is followed by a professional degree. The Goa University is the sole university in the state located in Taleigao and all Goan colleges are affiliated to it. There are three engineering colleges and one medical college in the state. The Goa Engineering College and Goa Medical College are run by the state whereas the other two engineering colleges are run by private organisations. The private engineering colleges are Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering and Information Technology, Shiroda, and Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Verna. There are also colleges offering pharmacy, architecture and dentistry along with numerous private colleges offering law, arts, commerce and science.

Many residents, however, choose to take up courses in other states as the demand for a course in Goa is more than that available. Goa is also well-known in India for courses in marine engineering, fisheries, hotel management and cuisine. The State also hosts a premier Business school Goa Institute of Management which is autonomous and was founded in 1993 by Fr. Romuald D'souza.

Portuguese is taught in part of the school curriculum as a third language in some schools. The Goa University also offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Portuguese.


[edit] In film
In the 2004 film The Bourne Supremacy, Jason Bourne and his girlfriend Marie are hiding in Goa at the beginning of the movie. Scenes include Bourne running along the Indian Ocean and Marie walking through a street market.

In the 1981 film The Sea Wolves, set in India during World War II, this fair action drama relies heavily on the good acting talent gathered to convey its slight, uninvolved story. Gregory Peck is Col. Lewis Pugh, backed up by Roger Moore as Capt. Gavin Stewart, David Niven as Col. Bill Grice, Patrick MacNee as Major Crossley, and several others -- all retired and past the age for active duty. At issue are three German freighters that are parked in the waters off Goa, the Portuguese coastal colony on the subcontinent of India. Since Portugal is neutral, the regular army cannot destroy the freighters, and it is up to the retired army officers and a large corps of over-the-hill volunteers to take on the mission of eliminating the German ships.

Many Bollywood films are also set in Goa.


[edit] Trivia
In the year 2006, the AIR FM channel ran a programme "Goa Top 10", which listed the most requested tracks of the week. During analysis, it emerged that the song "Faithful" by Lobo had an unusually high, consistent popularity, in spite of not being a fresh track. Thus, this song is arguably Goa's favourite English song, and has been referred to as Goa's English anthem.