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It is 1,022 meters above sea level the total area covered by this
state is of 3702 Sq. Kms and has a coastline of 104kms. Surrounded
by Sindhudurg district of Maharastra state in the North, on the
West by the Arabian Sea, on the South by Karwar district of Karnataka
state and on the East by Belgaum district of Karnataka state highest
mountain is Sonsogor in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats,
which is 3,827 feet.
More than being a geographical sunspot on the western
coast of India, GOA is ATMOSPHERE. Referred to as "the Rome
of the Orient" in days gone by, GOA's recorded history dates
back to the 3rd century B.C. A former Portuguese colony, Goa is
a delightfully picturesque tropical paradise, with secluded golden
beaches, gleaming white-washed houses and amiable, easy-going people.
A serene countryside amidst sylvan surroundings.
With lush green valleys and silver streams. Nature forever in her
element. The ideal holiday destination for an entertaining and tranquilizing
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One of the things that make Goa unique, are the laws, a legacy that
the Portuguese have left behind. The law also accords equal legal
status to both sexes, in all matters. Perhaps, this is why the local
women and girls of Goa are not so shy and reclusive, in stark contrast
to the rest of India. Most Goans ladies dress in western fashion
dresses and skirts, rather than the more tradition (in India) Sari
and Churidar.Religion is very important to the Goans. Whether it
is Catholic, Hindu or Muslim. Churches, Temples and Mosques abound
wherever you journey in Goa. Languages known are Goan Konkini, Hindi,
English.
Goa has a charming blend of Indo-European architecture
and cultural influences. The rich heritage of Goa is manifest in
the brilliant expressions of Goan traditional folk arts, dance,
music, drama, literature, colorful pageants, feasts and festivals,
majestic temples, churches and mosques. |
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The climatic conditions of Goa are temperate,
except during the monsoon, which lasts from June to September. Weather
of Goa is pleasant and sunny. There are no extremes in temperature
and no clear demarcations from one season to the other except for
the monsoon.
Winter
Late November To Mid-February (Min. 3° C - Max. 11° C)
Summer
Mid-March To End Of June (Min. 25° C - Max. 45° C)
Monsoon
The main feature of the Goan climate is the monsoon, which occurs
between June and the end of September. Once the monsoon has run
its course the skies clear and the weather becomes pleasant. For
four to five months from October through February the climate is
near perfect-cloudless blue skies, warm but not oppressively hot
days, and calm seas. By mid-March the humidity starts to rise as
the monsoon begins to approach again
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Panaji - Panaji or
Panajim perhaps does not have great buildings or well-known
attractions but what it has is its character and that
is more than enough for a willing visitor to have a look
around. Panaji is also the travel hub of Goa and this
is the first place to be touched up while you are landing
in Goa. Dabolim Airport located on the outskirts of Panaji
connect Goa with other places in India and also welcomes
good number of charter flights directly flying from Europe.
The town of Panaji is laid out in typical grid pattern,
centered on a church square. It is a charming city on
the left bank of the silvery Mandovi River. It has beautiful,
red roofed houses with stucco walls built in Latin style,
well laid gardens, statues and avenues lined with trees.
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Ponda - The town of
Ponda can easily be considered the heart of Hinduism in
Goa. For when the Hindus abandoned their coastal settlements
and moved inland during the Inquisition, a majority of
them settled in Ponda. Ponda is now a transportation hub
and some of the best temples in Goa are located here.
It has fewer hotels as compared to Panaji and Margao and
most restaurants serve vegetarian cuisine
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Vasco-da-Gama - The
town of Vasco-da-Gama was originally called Sambhaji.
This spick and span, and geometrically planned well laid
out coastal town popularly known as Vasco is also the
oldest railway terminus for passenger service. Vasco is
a key shipping center, with container vessels and iron
ore barges clogging the river mouth, but doesn’t
hold anything of interest for visitors.
- Mapusa - Also known as 'mapsa' is one
of the main attractions of goa. This beautiful town is situated
in the heart of goa and has a variety of cultural attractions.
You can find everythign here. Right from the beaches to
burgers.
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Margao - The main
population center of southern Goa is Margao, the capital
of Salcete Province. The town still has reminders of the
Portuguese past. It is a peaceful and pleasant place.
The old Margao church is worth a visit and the covered
market is the best of its kind in the whole of Goa.
Beaches to visit :
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Anjuna - The main
attractions of Anjuna Beach are the magnificent Albuquerque
Mansion built in 1920 (flanked by octagonal towers and
an attractive Mangalore tile-roof), the Mascarenhas Mansion,
and the Chapora Fort. The beach itself is very beautiful.
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Baga - Amongst the
popular beaches in India is the Baga beach Goa. Baga Goa
lies 10 km west of Mapusa and really speaking is an extension
of Calangute. Baga Goa India is smaller than the Calangute
and Colva beaches lying on either side of it. Baga Goa
is the perfect getaway for those looking for a little
bit of peace and quiet after the activity of the other
two beaches.
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Calangute - Calangute
is also known as the Queen of Beaches. They are encircled
by the villages of Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim.
Agarvaddo is full of picturesque agors (saltpans), Maddavaddo
is full of madd (coconut trees), Dongorpur skirts a bottle-green
hillock and Tivaivaddo laces the beach. The gaudds or
milkmen ran dairies lived in Gauravaddo. The Calangute
Beach is a spotless stretch that is 7 km long.
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Candolim - Goa Candolim
beach comes as an ideal beach for those who are slowly
getting tired of the crowded beaches of Calangute or Anjuna.
Though tourists quite often frequent Candolim beach, you
can still find some quiet places for yourself. If you
want to try your hand at fishing, you are welcome to do
so too.
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Dona Paula - Goa Dona
Paula beach, associated with a romantic myth, is one of
the hottest tourist spot in Goa. People throng the Dona
Paula beach not only to enjoy the sun and the sea but
also to indulge in water sports on the clear waters. The
Dona Paula Beach offers an opportunity to the tourists
to have a sunbath and buy cheap seaside goods from local
vendors.
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Vagator - At Vagator
beach, you can also witness the seawater changing colors
from aquamarine to emerald, tiny cottages with gardens
garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia. Goa
Vagator beach is also made special by the fishermen community
residing along its shores. So while you are in Goa's Vagator
beach, you will come across the fishermen in their traditional
attire getting ready to venture into the sea or coming
back with their day's catch.
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Colva - Many choose
to go to the Goa Colva beach to experience a change from
the crowded Anjuna or Calangute beaches. Colva beach in
Goa is one beach which is usually less crowded. There
are many shacks lined up along the Colva beach which offers
you delicious Goan cuisine to be washed down by innovative
cock-tails. Sit in one of those shack, savour the mouth-watering
food while looking at the vast sea in front of you.
and many more.....
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