Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is surrounded by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.
Panjim is the state’s capital, while Vasco da Gama is its largest city. The historic city of Margão in Goa still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who camein the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it. Soon thereafter, whereupon Goa became an overseas territory of the Portuguese Empire, part of what was then known as Portuguese India, and remained as such for about 450 years. Goa’s official language, which is spoken by a majority of its inhabitants, is Konkani.
Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year because of its white-sandy beaches, active nightlife, places of worship, and World Heritage-listed architecture. It also has rich flora and fauna because it lies very close to the North Western Ghats rain forests, one of the rare biodiversity hotspots of the world.
Flanked by the Arabian Sea on the West and the imposing Sahyadri mountains on the East, the Goan landscape rises from sea-level to a towering 1022 metres. Several rivers crisscross the state and add to its natural beauty.Goa state is situated along the west coast of India touching the Arabian Sea. Goa is well known for tourism, fisheries and iron ore mining industries. It has partly hilly terrain with Western Ghats in the east. The climate of Goa is overall pleasant throughout the year.The period of June to September is South West Monsoon Season. This is most rainy season for Goa state.
Whole infrastructure of state like agriculture, drinking water and electricity etc. depends upon the monsoon season. Goa experiences an average rainfall of about 330 centimeters annually and about 90% of annual rainfall occurs during this season only. However rainfall is more in the areas which are nearer to the Western Ghats in east parts of Goa. The state receives abundant of precipitation during these monsoon months. July is the wettest month of the year with more than 995 mm of rainfall. The average high stands around 30°C while the low falls to mid-teens. During this time the city receives a reduced level of sunshine as July gets not more than three hours of sunshine per day.
Top 10 Tourist attractions to see in Goa
- Beaches – Anjunana, Vagator, Palolem etc
- Fort Aguada
- Bom Jesus Basilica
- The Church of our Lady of Immaculate conception
- Mandovi River Cruise
- Casinos
- Anjuna Flea Market
- Dudhsagar Waterfalls
- Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mangueshi Temple