Goa became a composite Union Territory along with Daman & Diu on December 19, 1961.
- Before that it was under the Portuguese rule, who arrived in Goa in 1510. It became an independent State on May 30, 1987.
- Goa's history stretches back to the 3rd Century BC when it formed part of the Mauryan Empire.
- It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.
- Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year.
- It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
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| Goa |
- Geography : Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole.
- Capital : Panaji ( Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. )
Population (2011) : 1,457,723
- Language : Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese.
- Art : Bamboo works, pottery, metal work are some of the crafts for which Goa is famous. Lacquer work, fabric work are some other craft works.
- Culture Industry : Farming, fishing, tourism & iron-ore mining form the basis of the economy.
- Tourism : The tourism board appointed Prachi Desai, a young Bollywood actress as the face of Goa. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.[citation needed]
With the rule of the Portuguese for over 450 years and the consequential influence of Portuguese culture, Goa presents a somewhat different picture to the foreign visitor than other parts of the country. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples. The Bom Jesus Cathedral, Fort Aguada and a new wax museum on Indian history, culture and heritage in Old Goa are other tourism destinations.
