Know
Your City - Goa
History
Goa has a unique blend of Hindu and Christian cultures which
it has inherited from its past. From the 4th to the 14th century,
the Bhojas, Chalukyas, Silaharas, Kadambas and the Hoysalas
ruled over this coveted territory.
The Portuguese who held on to this settlement till 1961
when the Indian armed forces wrested control have left an
indelible mark on Goan culture. Goa is a cultural amalgam
very distinct from the rest of India, with Hindus and Catholics
dominating the population in equal numbers, with some representation
from Muslim and other religions too.
Goa became a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu on
December 1961. It was conferred statehood in May 1987 to become
the 25th state of the Indian Union. Goa ranks highest among
all States and Union Territories on the quality of life, as
per the Report of the National Commission on Population (2002).
In terms of social indicators such as literacy and infant
mortality rate, Goa figures among the top three states.
|
General information |
|
Area |
3,702 km² |
| Latitude |
15.29?N |
|
Longitude |
73°49?E |
|
Altitude |
1022 meters above sea level |
| International
Time |
(
+ 5 1/2) hours from GMT |
| Temperature |
Summer
(up to 45C); Winter ( 11C) |
| Total
Population |
1.4
million (2001) |
| Population
Density |
363/km²
(2001) |
| Languages
spoken |
Konkani,
Marathi, English |
Places of Interest
Facing the Arabian Sea, Goa
carries the Portuguese heritage in its cottages and churches,
and is dotted with beaches, seminaries, caves and waterfalls.
Beaches and Waterfalls: The most frequented
beaches in Goa are Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Colva and Benaulim,
Dona Paula, Vagator, Chapora, Cavelosim. The magnificent Dudhsagar
waterfalls, located 60 kms from Margao they rank amongst the
top 100 waterfalls of the world.
Rock-cut caves and Seminaries: The rock-cut
caves of Khandepar in Ponda, the Arvalem caves and the Buddhist
caves in Sanquelim are worth visiting.
Churches: Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa
is a world heritage monument built in 1605, and is the shrine
of Goa's patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. The Church of St
Cajetan and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi attract many
tourists.
Temples: Lord Shiva temple at Tambdi Surla,
the Saptakoteshwar temple, Narve, the Sree Mahalaxmi temple
in Panaji and the Dattatreya in Mapusa are well known.
Forts: Fort Aguada, housing the Aguada jail
offers a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea and the lighthouse.
Educational institutions in Goa
Ranked the highest educated city by an independent survey in
2005, Goa has a sound educational base, with a high literacy
rate of 84.12% in North Goa, and 79.98% in South Goa (2001 census).
Schools in Goa
- St Ignatius of Loyola High School - in Margao
- Dr. T.B.Cunha Government High Secondary, Mary Immaculate
Girls High School, People's High School and the Rosary School
- in Panaji
- Kendriya Vidyalaya, the Mormugoa Education Society, the
Regina Mundi High School, St.Andrews, St. Joseph's and St.
Therese - in Vasco
Institutes for Higher Education
There are colleges offering pharmacy, architecture
and dentistry along with several private colleges teaching
law, arts, commerce and science. Prominent colleges among
these are:
- Government Engineering College
- Goa Medical College
- Government Polytechnic, Panaji
- The Goa Institute of Management (GIM)
- The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)
- Goa College of Pharmacy
- Government Polytechnic Bicholim
- Central Library, Panaji
- Xavier Centre for Historical Research
- Goa University
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