General Information
Area : 3702 sq km
Altitude : Sea Level to 1022 mts
Location : Between Latitudes 15 48’00” N and 14 53’ 54” N and Longitudes 74 20’13” E and 73 40’33”
Population :Almost 15 lakh people
Neighbouring Cities : Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra towards the North, Belgaum to the East, Karwar district of Karnataka to the South and the Arabian Sea to the West
Major Rivers : Tiracol, Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal and Talpona
Main Beaches : Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim, Miramar are major beaches in the North with Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim and Palolem in the south
Introduction
An unrecognized poet once described the physical shape of Goa as one half of a heart, the other half is safely carried in the heart of every Goan. The Sahyadari Ghats hover protectively to the east of Goa where the height of this coastal state, rises to 1022 mt above sea level. The Arabian Sea laps at Goa’s long Western coastline. Goa’s rivers criss-cross the state and empty into the Arabian Sea. To the North of Goa lies Maharashtra and to the South and East lies Karnataka.
Cuisine
Goan cuisine has been influenced by its' long coastline and its' Portugese heritage, as well its' main communities: Hindus and Christians. Rice, fish, and coconut are the basic components of the typical Goan food platter. A typical Goan would prefer seafood to all other meats and would use a lot of coconut for cooking. Do try the prawn balchao, chicken xacuti, pork vindaloo, and bibinca, the traditional 40-egg-Goan cake.
Cities
Panaji, the capital, is a small and charming city on the bank of the Mandovi river. It has many beautiful, red-roofed houses built in the Latin style, as well as many modern houses with well-laid gardens.
Places to visit
Old Goa
Once the capital of the vast eastern empire of the Portuguese, Old Goa is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Old Goa has some magnificent Portuguese cathedrals. The most popular and famous of Goa's churches is, of course, The Basilica of Bom Jesus, built in the 16th century, which has the body of St.Francis Xavier enshrined in an ornate silver casket. Se Cathedral is the biggest in Goa. St. Cajetan Church is built in the style of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Other churches worth visiting are Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica.
Temples
The Temple of Shri Mangesh, a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located on a hillock at Priol - in Ponda Taluka. Though small, the temple has an air of distinct elegance and its lofty white tower is a landmark of the countryside. Also visit the Shantadurga Temple and Shri Ramnath Temple.
River Mandovi
India.ht. There is delightful Goan cuisine served on board with local entertainment. You will also have the opportunity to see Dolphins in their natural habitat.
Dudhsagar Waterfall
Dudhsagar Waterfall lies in the East of Goa. This is a pleasant motorable journey crossing over streams in thick jungle till you reach the place where water falls from the mountain into the lake and you can have a swim. You can also see a lot of monkeys but have to very careful that your belongings, especially food stuff is well out of their sight and reach.
Fort Aguada
This fort was built by the Portuguese in 1612 and was once one of the main bastions at the entrance into the Mandovi river. It has a church, a lighthouse and barracks (Aguada Jail) along the beachside. Sinquerim is the beach that lies below the fort. There are various water sport facilities at the southern end of the beach.
Ponda
At Ponda, one can visit the temples of Lord Mangesh, Lord Nagesh, Lord Ganapati, Lord Ramnath and the Goddesses Mahalasa and Shantdurga. There are regular buses from Panjim and Margao to Ponda.
Vasco-Da-Gama
Vasco Da Gama lies on the narrow western tip of the Marmagao peninsula, overlooking the mouth of the Zuari River. Acquired by the Portuguese in 1543, it was formerly among the busiest ports on India's west coast, and it remains a key shipping center, with container vessels and iron-ore barges. The Marmagao Harbor, one of India's few natural harbors is 4 kms from Vasco at one end. And Goa's only airport, Dabolim is also 4 kms from Vasco. There are regular buses from Panjim and Margao to Vasco.
Beaches
Calangute, Colva, Baga, Vagator, Anjuna, Candolim, Dona Paula, Bogmalo, Miramar, Bambolim, Sinquerim, Palolem, Agonda, Mabor, Cavelossim, Varca, Benaulim,
How To Get There
Air: Almost all airlines like Air India , Indian Airlines , Jet Airways , Air Sahara , Spice Jet , Air Deccan , Kingfisher Airlines connect Dabolim Airport of the state Sometimes even chartered flights are operated directly to and from Goa.
Rail: The main Railway Station is Madgaon. Along with this, other railway stations like Vasco-da-Gama, Tivim and Karmali are well connected by trains with the rest of the country.
Road: National Highways 4A, 17, 17A, and State Highways run through the state. Major cities of Goa are connected to major cities of India.
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