General Information
Area : 112 sq.km
Capital : Daman
Languages : Gujarati and Marathi
Population : 1,58,059
Districts : 2
Literacy : 81.09 %
Introduction :
Daman and Diu is the second smallest union territory of India. Lakshadweep being the smallest in terms of area as well as population. Daman and Diu are actually two parts, both on the sea side and both enclosed by Gujarat. Daman is near Surat is the South of Gujarat while Diu is near Junagadh in the Saurashtra Peninsula of Gujarat. Daman is a small part in the Gulf of Khambhat (cambay) while Diu is an island joined to the mainland of Gujarat by a creek.
During the early period, Daman and Diu were part of Goa. It was only in 1987, when Goa become a full fledged state, that Daman and Diu was separated from Goa. These three different land blocks on the west coast of India had come to form one political unit after liberation from the erstwhile Portuguese regime in 1961.
Places to visit
Beaches
Nagoa beach, horse-shoe in shape, could well be one of the best beaches of the world. Other beautiful beaches are Ahmedpur, Mandvi, Chakratirath, Jallandhar, and Gomtimata. Water-sports facilities are available.
Diu Fort
This imposing stone structure, which rears out of the sea, was built in 1535. Today, much of the fort is in ruins and its guns corroded.
Churches
The Portugese have left Daman and Diu with an architectural legacy in the form of historical monuments, like the St. Paul's Church built in 1610, and St. Thomas Church, which is now a museum. The church and museum are floodlit in the evenings, and gardens, parks and fountains have been created around the monuments to beautify them.
Fudam
One of the five satellite villages which form part of the territory, this is a fascinating little settlement that resembles a Mediterranean village. What really makes Fudam different is that it is a village of women, children and old people, the young men having migrated to Lisbon, Portugal to work as masons and labourers. Its residents take immense pride in keeping Fudam spotlessly clean.
How To Get There
Air : The nearest international and domestic airport Mumbai is only 193kms away. All major airlines like Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, Spice Jet, Kingfisher Airlines operate regular flights to and from Mumbai.
Rail : Vapi, the nearest Railhead is only 12kms away. Mumbai and Ahmedabad are two very important Railway Stations of the Western Railways, which are very close from Daman.
Road : NH No. 8 connects Daman by motorable road with Ahmedabad 367 Km, Mumbai 193 Km, Vadodara 300 Km. etc
