Information AboutGoa |
Goa ('s smallest State in terms of area and the Fourth Smallest In Terms Of Population . Located on the west coast of 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. Panaji (Panjim) is the state's capital, Vasco Da Gama (Vasco) the largest city, while the historic city of Margao still exhibits the influence of 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 (one of the longest held colonial possessions in the world), until it was taken over by India in 1961. 34 Renowned for its Beach es, Goa is visited by hundreds of thousands of international and domestic tourists each year. Goa is also known for its temples and World Heritage Architecture including the Basilica Of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, which makes it one of the biggest Christian pilgrimage sites in Asia. Goa also has rich Flora and Fauna , owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a Biodiversity Hotspot . ORIGIN OF NAME The name ''Goa'' came to European languages from 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 '' Purana s''. It has also been known as "Aparant". HISTORY See Also: History of Goa , an example of Portuguese architecture.]] 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 the Vijayanagara Empire . The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani Sultans of Gulbarga . After that dynasty crumbled, the area fell to the hands of the Adil Shahi s of Bijapur who made Velha Goa their auxiliary capital. In 1498, Vasco Da Gama became the first Europe an 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 . Goa, then a term referring to the City of Goa on the southern bank of the River Mandovi , was the largest trading center on India's western coast. The Portuguese arrived with the intention of setting up a colony and seizing control of the spice trade from other European powers after traditional land routes to India had been 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. in north Goa; one of the defences that the Portuguese built during their reign.]] With 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 converts however retained 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, and Savantwadi in Maharashtra. 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 . Goa soon became Portugal's most important possession in India, and was granted the same civic privileges as Lisbon 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 enclave. Resolution 1541 by the United Nations General Assembly in 1960 noted that Goa was non-self-governing and favoured Self Determination . Finally, on December 12 , 1961 , the Indian Army with 40,000 troops moved in as part of Operation Vijay . 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 on India. India's takeover of Goa is commemorated on December 19 (Liberation Day). The UN Security Council considered a resolution condemning the invasion which was vetoed by the Soviet Union . Most nations later recognized India's action, and Portugal recognized it after the 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.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 Km&2 (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 Metre s (3,827 Feet ). Goa has a coastline of 101 Km (63 Mile s). 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. Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of Laterite s which are rich in Ferric Aluminium oxides and Red dish in colour. Further inland and along the river banks, the soil is mostly Alluvial and Loam y. 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. SUBDIVISIONS district, and orange denote South Goa .]] The state is divided into two 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 Taluka s – 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 . is one of the best-known bird sanctuaries in India.]] FLORA AND FAUNA See Also: Flora and fauna of Goa Forest cover in Goa stands at 1,424 Km&2 , most of which is owned by the government. Government owned forest is estimated at 1224.38 km&2 whilst private is given as 200 km&2. 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 Asan . The important forests products are Bamboo canes, Maratha Bark s, 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 Jackfruit s, Mango s, Pineapple s and Blackberries . Fox es, Wild Boar s and Migratory birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The Avifauna includes Kingfisher s, Myna s and Parrot s. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers. Crab s, Lobster s, 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 Sanctuary and 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 km&2) 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. ECONOMY figures in Crore s of Indian Rupees
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