Goa is located in the western part of the country of India right next to the Arabian Sea. To the north of the region lies the state of Maharashtra and to its south and east lies the state of Karnataka. Goa is the smallest state in the country and has the highest per capita income in the entire country.
The tourism industry of this region is its main industry and a substantial amount of money also comes from its cultivation of rice. The beaches of Goa are of course its main attraction but apart from this, its coconut plantations and paddy fields also add to its picturesque landscapes. Goa attracts many people from different parts of the world because of its lovely beaches which have an atmosphere which is quite unique and specific to Goa.
Beach towns line the entire coast of this state from the north all the way to the south. Baga and Calangute are probably the most visited regions while Arambol and Palolem are comparatively visited less. All the places are characterized by their laid-back atmosphere, delectable seafood and many water sports such as Paragliding and sailing. Goa is a state with the fourth least population in the country.
The culture of Goa is known to be known as the Konkan culture which is a culture quite unique from that of other parts of the country. The coastal regions of Goa and that of its neighbouring region together form this culture which has its own traditions and history. The culture of Goa was also deeply influenced by Portuguese culture.
This is because of the fact that the Portuguese had settled down in the region for a very long time, almost 450 years. During this long period of time, they managed to influence the region in several ways such as in its flavour of food and the architecture of its buildings. Also, the culture has assimilated certain typical Portuguese qualities. Goa is known as the party place in the country where even people of India crave to visit to let themselves go and have fun.
Old Goa was originally the capital of the state but because of a persistent epidemic, the capital had to be changed to its current one which is Panaji. The airport of the region is located almost 28 km away from Goa‘s capital city but one relief is that this is an international airport and therefore this makes life easier for people coming from other corners of the world. From metropolitan cities such as Bangalore and Mumbai, the distance between the two regions can be covered by driving. Laos, the drive is quite an exciting one since the Western Ghats have to be crossed.
