About Goa

Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. It is a tiny emerald land and became the 25th State in the Union of States of India, after being liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by Arabian Sea. It spans an area of about 3,702 km� and its population is over 13,42,998. The state capital is Panaji and the official language is Konkani. Goa's main rivers are the Mandovi, the Zuari, the Terekhol, Chapora and the Betul. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa, a firm favourite with travellers around the world.