Goa

Goa is India's smallest but the richest state and it is located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan. Goa's main rivers are the Mandovi, the Zuari, the Terekhol, Chapora River and the Sal. Being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea Goa state has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The state has a population of around 1.5 million people. Goa state was in the 16th century under the rule of the Portuguese so the many landmarks and buildings have the Portuguese influence. Best known is the Sé Cathedral at Old Goa. Goa has two World Heritage Sites. The Bom Jesus Basilica and a few designated convents. The Bom Jesus Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. There are many forts in Goa built in the Portuguese style architecture such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama. Goa's temples the Shanta Durga Temple, the Mangueshi Temple and the Mahalasa Temple ahve the same influence. Famous places visited by the tourist are the Goa State Museum, the Naval Aviation Museum, the Goa Science Center, the National Institute of Oceanography. The Goa architecture is a combination of Portuguese, Indian and Islamic styles. Gos is rich with music, dance and theater performans. Famous beaches of Goa are the Vagator Beach, Miramar Beach with Hindu-Christianity Unity Memorial and Taj Hotels Fort Aguada Beach Resort.