GEOGRAPHY

The Western INDIAN state of GOA is located between latitudes 15 degree's 48'00" N 14 degree's 53'54" N and Longtitude 74 degree's 20'13" E 73 degree's 40" 33" E is 1,022 metres above sea-level with an area of 3702 Sq. Kms. and is divided into 11-talukas with Panaji being its capital. The eleven talukas are Ilhas, Bardez, Salcette, Ponda, Marmagoa, Bicholim, Satari, Pernem, Quepem, Sanguem, and Canacona.

The longest rivers are: The Zuari (39 miles), and The Mandovi (38.5 miles).

The highest mountain is Sonsogor in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats (3,827 feet).

Its total population is around 1,200,000 and has a literacy rate of 77%. Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for 451 years and liberated from their rule on 19th December 1961, it remained a Union territory for 26 years and gained full fledged statehood on August 12th 1987.

Goa's seemingly endless coastline with palm lined, golden sandy beaches coupled with its unique and elegant lifestyle, warm sunshine for the major part of the year and friendly locals have made it a tourist destination for people from around the globe.

The temperature ranges from a pleasant 21 deg. C during winter to a warm 35 deg. C in summer with the monsoons prevailing from June to September.

The languages spoken are Konkani, English, Marathi & Portuguese.

Goa's maincrops are Arecanut, Cashew, Coconut, Forest Produce, Rice, Millets and Sugarcane.

Its Minerals are Bauxite, Clays, Iron Ore,Limestone, Manganese Ore and Silica.

The main industries are Tourism, Fertilisers, Fisheries, Food-canning, Distilling of Feni, Shipping Mining.

Goa has one airport at Dabolim near Vasco which caters to the domestic and international air traffic.