Facts about Goa – Goa is a state in India within the coastal region known as the Konkan in western India. It is bounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast. It is India’s smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population.  Goa is India’s richest state, with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country. It was ranked the best-placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.

 State Symbols of Goa

Festivals

• Carnival
• Feast of St. Francis Xavier
• Shigmotsav
• Bonderam Festival

Dance

• Shigmo dance
• Manddo
• Durpod

Official Languages           

• Konkani
• Marathi

Rivers          

• Mandovi
• Zuari
• Tereldiol
• Chapora
• Sal
• Talpona

Wildlife sanctuaries        

• Bondla wildlife sanctuaries
• Modem National Park
• Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
• Cotigoa wildlife sanctuaries
• Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuaries

Famous places in Goa

• Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland. Goa has two World Heritage Sites: The Bom Jesus Basilica and churches and convents of Old Goa.
• The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa (the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually Saint Joseph Vaz).
• These are both Portuguese-era monuments and reflect a strong European character.
• The relics are taken down for veneration and for public viewing, as per the prerogative of the Church in Goa, not every ten or twelve years as popularly thought and propagated. The last exposition was held in 2014.
• There are many forts in Goa such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Reis Magos, Nanus, Mormugao, Fort Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama.
• Fontainhas in Panaji has been declared a cultural quarter, showcasing the life, architecture, and culture of Goa.
• Some influences from the Portuguese era are visible in some of Goa’s temples, notably the Shanta Durga Temple, the Mangueshi Temple and the Mahalasa Temple, although after 1961, many of these were demolished and reconstructed in the indigenous Indian style.
• Goa also has a few museums, the two important ones being Goa State Museum and the Naval Aviation Museum. The aviation museum is one among three of its kind in India, the other two being in Delhi and Bengaluru.
• Also, a place not well known to tourists is the Goa Science Centre, which is located in Miramar, Panaji. The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is also located in Goa at Dona Paula.

Famous Personalities of Goa

Musicians:

1. The nightingale of India – Lata Mangeshkar and her sister Asha Bhosale.
2. Goa pop star and Bollywood playback singer – Remo Fernandes.
3. Popular Indian classical singer – Kishori Amonkar

1. The eminent Musician and violinist of 1950s – Anthony Gonsalves

Sports:

1. International tennis player – Leander Paes
2. Indian footballer and Arjuna awardee – Bruno Coutinho.
3. Cricketer – Dilip Sardesai.

Politics:

1. Prominent politician and former central minister – Eduardo Faleiro.
2. Freedom-fighter as well as former mayor of Bombay – Dr Simon C. Fernandes.
3. Member in the first Cabinet of Tony Blair – Keith Vaz.

Science:

1. The writer of the first major book on Indian drugs and remedies – Garcia de Orta.
2. Nuclear scientist and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission – Anil Kakodkar.
3. Head of the prestigious Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Raghunath Mashelkar.

Quick Facts About Goa

• The Portuguese made the city of Panaji, the capital of Goa in 1843.
• After independence, the Indian government requested Portuguese territories to be ceded to India. After their refusal, Goa, Daman & Diu was annexed by a military operation called “Operation Vijay” on 19 Dec 1961.
• Goa along with Daman & Diu combined was a Union territory but on 30 May 1987 Goa was carved out from this territory and made separate state. Daman & Diu continued to remain the territory.
• Goa state lies in Konkan region which comes in western part of India. It borders the state of Maharashtra in north and Karnataka in east and south.
• It is India’s smallest state by area and fourth smallest by population.
• If GDP per capita is taken to account Goa is the richest state with GDP per capita two and half times whole India.
• Dudhsagar Falls which has a height of 310 m is one of the highest falls of India. It is on the Zuari river. The lush greenery of the nearby Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary attracts thousands of visitors during monsoons.
• The Marmagao harbour is virtually at the confluence of Mandovi and Zuari rivers.
• Konkani was adopted as an official language in Oct 1993. It is written in Devnagri script.
• Sonsogor is the highest peak of Goa which lies on western ghats. It has an altitude of 1,166 m.
• Calangute beach is popular for water sports. Other most popular beaches are Colva, Candolim, Baga, and Anjuna.
• Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on Chorao island of Goa. It is the most important Bird Sanctuary of India. It is named after Dr Salim who was a famous Ornithologist.
• Main festivals of Goa are Carnival, Shigmotsav, Sabado Gardo, Beach Bonanza, Konkani Drama Fest, Chavoth, Diwali, Christmas, Easter, Shigmo, Dasehra etc.
• Mando, Dulpod, Dhalo, Dekni, Kumbi, Fado and Fugdi are popular folk dances. Bandhap is a woman dance, while Ghode Mondi is the dance associated with Ranes victory over Portuguese.
• The architecture of most old buildings and churches resemble the Portuguese style of tradition and culture.
• Mangeshi temple is the largest temple in Goa which is famous for Lord Mangesh which is an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
• Goa is known for its sound economy and is considered as India’s richest state in terms of GDP per capita. The economy of Goa is driven by mainly tourism industry. In terms of GDP per capita, Goa stands first among all other Indian states. GDP per capita of Goa(the US $4902 ) is almost twice that of National average (the US $1628). (as per the year 2014 GDP data).
• Agricultural Resources of Goa – Rice is the main agricultural product, followed by ragi, cashew, coconut. Fishing also adds greatly to the economy.
• Mineral Resources of Goa – Iron Ore, Manganese, Bauxite, Silica Sand.
• Main Industries of Goa– Mining industries, breweries, fruit canning, fish canning etc.
• Marmugao, Dona Paula, and Panjim are the main Sea Ports of Goa.
• Goa is the only place where one can hire a two-wheeler taxi called “pilots”. These motorcycle taxis a cheap form of transport and are identified by their yellow license plates.

Trivia About Goa

1. Name of the Chief Minister of Goa

2. How many Districts are there in Goa

3. What is the State Tree of Goa

4. What are all the festivals celebrate?

5. The nightingale of India is known as