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Area : 3,702 sq km
Population : 1,343,998
Capital : Panaji
Principal Languages : Konkani and Marathi
Goa, known in the bygone
days as Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri,
Govapuri, Gomantak, etc., abounds in a rich
historical heritage. Early history of Goa is
obscure. In the first century of the Christian
era, Goa was a part of the Satavahana Empire,
followed by the Kadamba, the Rashtrakutas of
Malkhed, the Chalukyas and the Silharas. The
empire of the Yadavas by the end of the 14th
century was displaced by the Khiljis of Delhi
and thus Muslim rule came to Goa. After the
discovery of the sea route to India by
Vasco-da-Gama in 1498, many Portuguese
expeditions came to India. In 1510, Alfonso de
Albuquerque with the help of the emperor of
Vijayanagar attacked and captured Goa. With the
arrival of the Jesuit priest Francis Xavier in
1542, proselytisation began in Goa. However, the
Portuguese continued to rule over the territory
except for an interlude during
the latter half
of the 17th century when Shivaji conquered a few
areas in and around Goa. Even after India's
independence, Goa continued to be in the hands
of the Portuguese. However, they could not
fulfill the aspirations of the Goan people and
ultimately on 19 December 1961, Goa was
liberated and made a composite union territory
with Daman and Diu. On 30 May 1987, Goa was
conferred statehood and Daman and Diu was made a
separate union territory.
Goa is situated on the western coast of the
Indian Peninsula. On its north runs the Terekhol
River, which separates Goa from Maharashtra and
on the south lies North Canara district of
Karnataka. On the east lie the Western Ghats and
in the west the Arabian Sea. Panaji, Margao,
Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda are the main towns of
Goa.
Rice
is the main food crop. Pulses, ragi and other
food crops are also grown. Main cash crops are
coconut, cashewnut, arecanut, sugarcane and
fruits like pineapple, mango and banana. The
State has a rich forest cover of more than 1,424
sq km.
With the commissioning of dams
like Selaulim and Anjunem and other minor
irrigation projects, area under irrigation is
rising steadily. Total irrigation potential
created by these projects is 43,000 hectares.
All villages have been electrified leading to
hundred percent coverage.
The State has 5,765
small-scale industrial units with a total
investment of Rs 219.09 crore and employment
opportunities for 39,432 persons, in large and
medium sector, 140 units with an investment of
Rs 1,555.65 crore employing 18,923 persons.
There are 16 industrial estates besides a new
electronic city coming up in the State. Mineral
products are ferro-manganese, bauxite and iron
ore contributing substantially to the economy of
the State through exports.
Roads :
Of
the motorable roads, national highway
constitutes 224 km, state highways 232 km and
district roads 815 km.
Railways :
Goa is linked with Mumbai, Mangalore and
Thiruvananthapuram through the Konkan Railway,
which has introduced several fast trains on
these lines. Vasco da Gama is connected with
Bangalore and Belgaum on the South Central
Railway, presently for goods traffic only.
Aviation :
Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin,
Chennai, Agati and Bangalore are linked with
Dabolim through regular Airlines services.
Ports :
Mormugao is the major port in the State.
Mormugao handles cargo vessels. Minor ports are
located at Panaji, Tiracol, Chapora Betul and
Talpona, out of which Panaji is the main
operative port. One offshore berth at Panaji has
also been commissioned.
Important tourist centres are Colva,
Calangute, Vagator, Baga, Harmal, Anjuna and
Miramar beaches; Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se
Cathedral churches at Old Goa; Kavlem, Mardol,
Mangueshi, Bandora temples; Aguada, Terekhol,
Chapora and Cabo de Rama Forts; Dudhsagar and
Harvalem Waterfalls and Mayem Lake Resort. The
State has rich wildlife sanctuaries, viz.,
Bondla, Cotigao, Molem and Dr Salim Ali
Bird Sanctuary at Chorao covering an area of 354
sq km.
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