GOA
Goa at once reminds you of silver sea beaches wetted by blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, the strumming guitars from distant taverns, white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut groves, long starry nights spent over brewed feni, sun and sea. This is Goa- the romantic land.

History
Goa is one of the youngest states of the Indian Union, it attained statehood after 451 years of colonial rule and 26 years as Union territory. Its history dates back to the 3rd century when it belonged to the Mauryas, followed by the rule of the Satvahanas, Chalukyas and then the Shilharas and Kadambas. In 1312, Goa fell into the hands of the Muslims when Harihara of the Vijayanagar Empire evacuated the coastal area. The Muslim rule ended when the Portuguese took over in 1510. During the Napoleonic wars, Britishers had a brief occupation of Goa otherwise the Portuguese were masters of Goa till 1961 when they were finally driven out.

Culture
Goan culture is blend of East & West -- Goa's 450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique, syncretic blend of East and West that is at once exotic and strangely familiar: Christmas and Carnival are celebrated as enthusiastically by the 30% Christian minority as Diwali and Durga puja are by the mainly Konkani-speaking Hindus. The state's separate identity is discernible in other ways too, most visibly in its Latinate architecture, but also in a preference for a fish-and meat-rich cuisine. Another marked difference is the prevalence of alcohol. Beer is cheap, and six thousand or more bars around the state are licensed to serve it, along with the more traditional tipples of feni, the local hootch, and toddy, a derivative of palm sap.

Capital
Since 1843, Panaji, still looks and feels like a sleepy Portuguese town. Set along the southern bank of the salty Mandovi river, Panaji is among the most pleasant Indian capitals. Though most people use it as a linkage to old Goa or to the beaches, it's worth a visit. The atmosphere is easygoing and the people are friendly. In the oldest part of the town, the Portuguese heritage is evident: broad avenues spilling into cobbled squares, grand public buildings, old houses with overhanging balconies and numerous bars and cafes.

The People
The palm-lined coastal plains, the wooded uplands and beaches so still and endless, create an illusion of lethargy - laziness. But in reality, Goans are hardworking, full of song, dance and merriment. Tourism is the main money-spinner and the majority of the population is engaged in related business. On the coast itself, coconut cultivation and fishing (both in-shore, with small boats, canoes and hand-nets, and off shore, with modern trawlers) are still the main sources of income. The recent discovery of iron in the hills to the east has also generated considerable revenue, and the economy is further fuelled by the stream of remittance cheques sent home by expatriate Goans working in Mumbai and the Gulf states.

Population
3 million


Town/Cities
Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco, Old Goa, Margao


Places to Visit
Anjuna Beach, Aguada fort, Calangute Beach, St. Cathedral Church of St. Francis, Jesus Basilica, Dudhsagar, Waterfalls, Carambolin Lake, Mansions & More...


Festivals
Mardi Gras Carnival in Feb-March; Shri Mangesh festival in Feb; Christmas in Dec; Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Dec; and more