About
Goa:
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.
Home
Copyright
© Goa India Hotels
Resorts. All Rights Reserved