Goa's
history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the
Mauryan empire. Later, at the beginning of the Christian era, it was ruled
by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur. Control eventually passed on to the
Chalukyans of Badami, who ruled from 580 to 750 AD. Goa fell to the Muslims
for the first time in 1312, but Harihara I of the Vijayanagar Empire, whose
capital was at Hampi, forced the invaders out in 1370. Over the next 100
years, Goa's harbours were important landing places for ships carrying
Arabian horses to the Vijayanagar cavalry at Hampi.
Blessed as it
is with natural harbours and wide rivers, Goa was the ideal base for the
seafaring Portuguese who arrived in 1510. They aimed to control the spice
route from the east and had a strong desire to spread Christianity. Jesuit
missionaries, led by St Francis Xavier, arrived in 1542. By the middle of
the 16th century, Portuguese control had expanded beyond Old Goa to include
the provinces of Bardez and Salcete. Goa's golden age came with the eventual
ousting of the Turks, who controlled the trade routes across the Indian
Ocean, and the resultant fortunes made from the spice trade. The colony
became the seat of the Portuguese Empire of the east, which included various
East African port cities, East Timor and Macau. But competition from the
British, French and Dutch in the 17th century, combined with Portugal's
inability to adequately service its far-flung empire, led to a decline. The
Marathas almost vanquished the Portuguese in the late 18th century, and
there was a brief occupation by the British during the Napoleonic Wars in
Europe. However, the Portuguese clung on till 1961.
Beaches are the most attractive and frequented spots in Goa. In fact, Goa is
almost synonymous with beaches. Nearly the entire coastline is dotted with
world-class beaches, which acquire their names after the nearby village or
locality. Two continuous stretches of beaches - northern and southern
stretches - mark the Goan coastline. Kissed by the passionate, azure sea and
embraced by the land and shaded by swaying palms, these miles of golden sand
sparkling in the sun are the most desired places you can ever love on earth.
Rest, sunbathe, forget everything and see the time fleeting by silently.
Enjoy your stay on beaches! .
| General
Information: |
| Area: |
3702 sq. kms. |
| Population: |
1169793 (1991 Cencsus) |
| Altitude: |
Sea level to 1022 meters |
| Clothing: |
Tropical clothing throughout the
year. Light woolens can be worn during December & January. |
| Languages
Spoken: |
Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English
& Portuguese. |
| Best time to
Visit: |
Throughout the year. (November
to February is pleasant while June to September is rainy season). |
Transport: Air : Goa
(Dabolim Airport) is connected by Indian Airlines and Air India to Bombay,
Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Madras and Ahmedabad. Private Airlines such as
East West, Goa Way also operate flights to Goa.
Rail : Vasco-da-Gama
and Margoa are connected by train with Bangalore, Belgaum, Hospet, Hubli and
Hyderabad and via Miraj to Bombay, Delhi and Agra.
Road :
Panaji, the capital of Goa, is connected by road to Bangalore-598 kms,
Belgaum-157 km, Bombay-594 km, Gokarn-154 km, Hospet-315 km, Hubli-184 km,
Karwar-103 km, Kolhapur-246 km, Malwan-150 km, Mangalore-371 kms, Mysore-696
kms, Pune-458 kms, Ratnagiri-263 kms, Vengurla-73 kms etc. Sea : Ship
services between Bombay and Goa organised by Damania. Local Transport: Local
buses, auto-rickshaws and motor-cycles/taxis available.
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Goa
Kerala Holidays. All Rights Reserved
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