Goa is the smallest state of India located on the western coast of the country adjoining the Arabian Sea. The region is known as one of the best beach destinations in the world pulling in a host of tourists from throughout the world for vacationing. In fact, most of the state’s earning comes from tourism, which is the main industry in the region. Besides having Arabian Sea to its west, Goa has Maharashtra lying to its north and parts of Karnataka lying to its east and west. The coastal regions of these two states and Goa together form a culture which is rich in tradition and culture, known as the Konkan culture. While northern parts of the region are more modern, the southern parts are forested. Paddy fields, coconut trees and beaches, together form the kind of beauty Goa’s landscape is famous for.
Portuguese influence on the region is very easy to locate in Goa with its Portuguese-influenced food and architecture of old buildings and churches. This region was later handed over to the British, who were already ruling the rest of India by that time, as a gift. But for 450 years, Goa and some other neighbouring coastal regions had been under the rule of the Portuguese. The culture of this place is visibly different from that of other parts of India.
Old Goa is very important religiously to Catholic Christians around the world since it is the place where St Francis Xavier had been buried. Other than Christmas and New Year, the Feast of St Francis is another festival that is celebrated magnificently. A number of beach towns with the typical Goa atmosphere lines along the entire coast stretching from north to south Goa. The typical Goa ambience includes a relaxed atmosphere, delicious Goan food and several water sports such as surfing, paragliding, water skiing and sailing. Baga is one of the most visited beaches in Goa while other less frequented beaches include Anjuna,Candolim and Colva.
Panaji and Mandovi are some of the many towns of Goa that display a strong Portuguese influence. Old Goa was the former capital of the state but due to the persistent epidemic in the region the capital had to be shifted to Panaji. Old Goa is best known for its numerous famous cathedrals while Ponda is popular for its Hindu temples built sometime around the 15th century AD.
Goa has an international airport which is situated in Dabolim which is a town located at a distance of 29 kilometers away from the state capital, Panaji. Due to the coastal location, the weather is humid for most of the year. The peak season extends from the months of November to February, during which Goa experiences the best weather.
