Goa

Area :3,702 square kilometers.
Capital :Panaji
Population :13,43,998
Language :Konkani and Marathi.

Climate :The climate of Goa is generally moderate inspite of high humidity. There are cool months in winter and around October and weather turns good. There is heavy rainfall during the monsoon months.

People :The three major religions followed in Goa are Hinduism,Christianity and Islam. Other people include Sikhs,Buddhists and Jains. The people of Goa are among the friendliest. They have a great passion for music and musical instruments.

Economy :Agriculture is one of the important economic activities in Goa. The important crops grown are paddy,ragi,maize,jowar,bajra and pulses. Cash crops like coconut,cashew-nut,arecanut,mango,jackfruit,banana,pineapple etc. are also grown in abundance.

Goa is rich in mineral resources and iron ore is a leading commodity in Goa. Other minerals include manganese ore and ferro-manganese ore which are produced and exported.

There are some other units for the manufacture of items like pesticides,fertilizers,tyres and tubes,iron ore pellets,foot wear,chemicals,pharmaceuticals,sugar,wheat products,steel rolling,fruits and fish canning,cashew nuts,textiles,brewery products and handicrafts units.

Culture :Important cultural events of the state are Feast of the Three Kings (January),Procession of All Saints (February/March),Feast of St. Lawrence (August),Food And Cultural Festival (November/December),Beach Bonanza (April),etc.

Among other important festivals of Goa include Ganesh Chaturthi known as 'Chovoth',Dussera or Dosro,Diwali or Narak Chaturdasi and Shigmo that is the Goan counterpart of the Holi in the rest of India.

History :Goa has been ruled by the great dynasties like the Mauryas,Satavahanas,Rashtrakutas,Chalukyas and the Kadambas from the 3rd century B.C. and the 12th century A.D. And until the 15th century,Goa was ruled by the Yadava,Bahamani and the Vijayanagara kings.

The Portuguese were the first Europians to invade into any part of India. In 1510 they conquered Goa. Under their rule Goa became an critical centre for Catholic Christian missionaries. Goa was made an archbishopric with authority all over India,Mozambique and Japan. The first major attempt to drive the Portuguese out of Goa is said to have been made by Mateus de Castro,the first Goan bishop of the Roman Church.

In 1928,Tristao Braganza Cunha,who is also known as the father of the nationalist movement in Goa,along with other leaders like Purushottam Kakodkar,Laxmi Kant Bhembre,Divakar Kakodkar and Dayanand Bandodkar,formed the Goa Congress Committee that worked for Goa's freedom and integration with India.

The liberation movement to drive the Portugese out of Goa became stronger after Indian independence in 1947. But the Portuguese refused to liberate Goa. In 1961,Indian troops moved into Goa and succeeded in Goa's liberation. At the same time Daman and Diu was also liberated. Ultimately Goa was incorporated into the Indian Union as a Union Territory. Later on it became the 25th state of the Indian Union in the year 1987.