Goa is a state of India located in the western part of the country. This is the smallest state in the country and has the fourth least population in the entire country. The main industry in this part of the country is tourism and that is where most of the earnings of this region come from. Goa is best known for its beaches which are phenomenal and popular for their atmosphere with its paddy fields and coconut plantations.
The cultivation of rice brings in a decent amount of money to this part of the country. Goa’s laid-back atmosphere, which is a feature of all the beaches in the state which are lined along its coast extending all the way from the north to the south, is an important characteristic of the place.
The Arabian Sea lies to its west and the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka to its north and south respectively. The culture of Goa is unique and is something it shares with its neighbouring coastal regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
This culture is known as the Konkan culture. This region is a really popular beach destination throughout the world and the months of November, December, January and February are the best time to visit this part of the country. This is because the region is a coastal region which means it is hot and humid for the most part of the year. The mentioned winter months are the time when the weather will be comparatively more pleasant than other times of the year.
Portuguese influence on Goa can be located really easily in many parts of the state. In fact, even the culture of the state has imbibed many features which are original features of the Portuguese culture. The flavour of Goa’s food also shows touches of Portuguese flavour.
Goa was occupied by the Portuguese and stayed under their rule for almost 450 years. This long duration of time explains why it is quite easy to identify Goa as a once Portuguese colony. The capital of Goa was initially a region called Old Goa but this later had to be changed because of the unrelenting epidemics that were striking the region continuously.
The capital was shifted to Panaji. The airport of Goa is not located in its capital city, which is generally the case with most states of the country. The airport is in fact located around 28 km away from Panaji in a region called Dabolim. Certain Goan towns such as Old Goa, Panaji and Margao have old Portuguese quarters where one can take a quiet walk and enjoy the experience. Goan food is another aspect that people look forward to when they plan a visit to the region.
