MARGOA | OLD GOA | PANAJI |VASCO
Goa is a former Portuguese colony, currently a state in India West region.Panaji (Panjim) is the state's capital. Vasco da Gama (Vasco) is the largest city. 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 1966. Renowned for its beaches, 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's known history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the
Mauryan Empire. It was later ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur, around two
thousand years ago and passed on to the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled it
between 580 to 750. Over the next few centuries Goa was successively ruled by the
Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani, rulers of Deccan India. The
Kadambas, a local Hindu dynasty based at Chandrapura, (present day Chandor -
Salcete), laid an indelible mark on the course of Goa's pre-colonial history and
culture.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Time zone - IST (UTC+5:30)
Area - 3,702 km² (1,429 sq mi)
Capital - Panaji
Largest city - Vasco da Gama, Goa
District(s) - 2
Population - 1,400,000 (25th)
Density - 363/km² (940/sq mi)
Language(s) - Konkani
