Goa

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Goa


Area: 3702 sq.km.
Capital: Panaji
Languages: Konkani and Marathi
Districts: 2
Goa is the smallest state of the Indian Union. It was part of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu. It became the twentyfifth state in the Indian Union on May 30th 1987 while Daman and Diu remained a Union Territory, administered by the Governor of Goa who simultaneously held office as the Lt. Governor of Daman and Diu also. In 1992, a separate administrator was appointed for Daman & Diu.

Physiography: Situated between Karnataka and Maharashtra, Goa is bounded on the north by the Terekhol river, surrounded on the south and east by Karnataka while on the west is the Arabian Sea. On its eastern sector Goa's terrain is hilly, forming the northern edge of the Sahyadri mountain ranges.




The major west-flowing rivers that crease the territory are: Mandovi, Zuari, Terekhol, Chapora and Betul. The total navigable length of these rivers, which form the waterways by which Goa's main export commodity iron and manganese ore is transported to the Marmagao harbour, is 253 km. The Marmagao harbour is virtually the confluence of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers.

History: Goa was known as Gopakpattan or Gomant which figure in the Bhishma-Parva of the Mahabharata. It was also mentioned as Govapuri in the Sutra-Samhita. Ptolemy, the great geographer (2nd century A.D.) refers to Goa as "Gouba". Later on, during Kadamba times it was also known as Gopapuram or Gove.Goa was under the Satavahanas from 2nd century B.C.– thereafter, under the sway of the western Kshatrapas from 150 A.D. Chalukyas of Badami ruledover it for over 200 years from 540 A.D. Then Rastrakutas dominated the area including Goa for over 220 years from 753 A.D. to 973 A.D. Kadambas of Goa replaced them and put it under their sway from 1008 A.D. to 1300 A.D. when Goa turned out to be a great centre of maritime trade.

Thereafter, Goa came under the control of Yadavas of Devagiri, Delhi Sultans (1356 to 1378 A.D.), Vijayanagar Rulers (1378 to 1470 A.D.), Bahamani Sultans of Deccan and later on Adilshahis of Bijapur (1470 to 1510 A.D.).In 1534, Diu off the southeast coast of Kathiawar (Gujarat) was occupied by the Portuguese.

In 1559, Daman on the Gujarat coast, 70 miles from Bombay, was annexed by them. Inquisition which was established in Goa, largely contributed to the downfall of the Portuguese empire in the East.It continued till 1812 with a brief break of four years from 1774. The Portuguese made the city of Panaji the capital of Goa in 1843. The Portuguese territory of Goa, Daman and Diu was finally liberated on December 19, 1961.Under the Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act 1962, Goa was included in the first schedule to the Constitution as a territory of the Indian Union.

In 1966 Parliament enacted the Goa, Daman and Diu Opinion Poll Act, in accordance with which a poll was held in January 1967 and Goa, Daman and Diu voted to continue as a Union Territory.Goa attained full statehood on 30th May 1987 when Daman and Diu retained separate identity as a Union Territory. The Goa government has introduced (Oct. 1993) Konkani as the official language. It is written in Devnagri script.

Administration: The legislature consists of one house, the Legislative Assembly. Total seats: 40. The state is divided into two districts, North Goa and South Goa.

Districts

  1. North Goa 1,736 6,64,804 Panaji
  2. South Goa 1,966 5,04,849 Margao
Economy: Essentially export-oriented because of iron ore and manganese deposits, Goa is making a determined bid to stand on its own. Paddy is the main agricultural crop, followed by ragi, cashew and coconut. Rice is the staple food of Goans. Fish, like rice, is an important component of the Goans' food. A fleet of 1551 trawlers and 2450 country craft are engaged in fishing which sustains a work force of 40,000 people. Annual growth rate of Goa during 25 years since liberation is estimated at 6%. The Konkan railway passes through Goa.

Universities:


  • Goa University, Goa Pin: 403 206
Tourist Centres: Tourism is a major industry in Goa. On an average a million people, including 1.25 lakh foreigners, visit Goa. The arrival crossing 1 lakh a year and domestic tourists of over 9 lakhs each year is under considerable strain. The government plans to go for selective tourism. Dabolim airport, near the port town of Vasco-da-Gama, is equipped to receive chartered flights. The territory is known for its numerous beaches such as Calangute, Colva and Vagator.

Famous tourist spots: Old Goa has the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the casket containing the incorruptible body of St. Francis Xavier, the Apostle of Goa, ishoused. Other famous shrines are the Se Cathedral and the Assissi Church. A few km away is Ponda, where the Mangueshi Siva Temple, the Santha Durga Temple and the Nagueshi Temple are situated. Dona Paula, overlooking the confluence of the Mandovi river, (in Panaji), the Aravelam waterfalls, the Mayem lake, the Dudsagar waterfalls, the Bondla sanctuary, the Mormugao harbour and the Aguada Fort are some of the other tourist attractions.


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