| Goa
Geographical Area : 3702
Population in 2001 : 13 47 668
Estimated population in 2025 : 23 00 000
Provisional Numbers in Census 2011
Goa population as percentage of India : 0.12%
Population in 2011 : 14 57 723
Males 7 40 711
Females 7 17 012
Sex ratio : 968
Under 6 Sex ratio : 920
Number of Districts : 2
Number of habitated villages : 347
Capital
Panaji
Principal Languages
Konkani and Marathi
History and Geography
Goa, known in the bygone days as Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri,
Govapuri, Gomantak, etc., abounds in a rich historical heritage.
Early history of Goa is obscure. In the first century of the Christian
era, Goa was a part of the Satavahana empire, followed by the Kadamba,
the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed, the Chalukyas and the Silharas. The
empire of the Yadavas by the end of the 14th century was displaced
by the Khiljis of Delhi and thus Muslim rule came to Goa. After
the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco-da-Gama in 1498,
many Portuguese expeditions came to India. In 1510, Alfonso de Albuquerque
with the help of the emperor of Vijayanagar attacked and captured
Goa. With the arrival of the Jesuit priest Francis Xavier in 1542
proselytisation began in Goa. However, the Portuguese continued
to rule over the territory except for an interlude during the latter
half of the 17th century when Shivaji conquered a few areas in and
around Goa. Even after India's independence, Goa continued to be
in the hands of the Portuguese. However, they could not fulfil the
aspirations of the Goan people and ultimately on 19 December 1961,
Goa was liberated and made a composite union territory with Daman
and Diu. On 30 May 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and Daman and
Diu was made a separate union territory.
Goa is situated on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula. On
its north runs the Terekhol River which separates Goa from Maharashtra
and on the south lies North Canara district of Karnataka. On the
east lie the Western Ghats and on the west the Arabian Sea. Panaji,
Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda are the main towns of Goa.
Agriculture
Rice is the main food crop. Pulses, ragi and other food crops are
also grown. Main cash crops are coconut, cashewnut, arecanut, sugarcane
and fruits like pineapple, mango and banana.
Irrigation and Power
With the commissioning of dams like Selaulim and Anjunem and other
minor irrigation projects, the area under irrigation is rising steadily.
The total irrigation potential created by these projects is 43,000
hectares. All villages have been electrified leading to cent per
cent coverage.
Tillari Irrigation which is a inter-state joint venture of the
Government of Maharashtra and Goa is aimed at creating an ultimate
irrigation potential of 24618 ha for Goa State, besides providing
57.43 mm3 of water for domestic industrial and other non-agricultural
purposes.
Industry and Minerals
The State has 7110 small-scale industrial units and 20 industrial
estates. Mineral products are ferro-manganese, bauxite and iron
ore contributing substantially to the economy of the State through
exports.
Fishery
Fish assumes special significance for the State as 90% of the population
of Goa is fish dietarian. The fishery is an important industry in
the State providing employment and livelihood to around 1.00 lakh
people. 3220 fishermen have been covered under the State Insurance
scheme. 718 fishermen are covered under saving cum relief fund.
Art and Culture
The State has the distinction to have achieved the ISO 9001-2000
certification through the Directorate of Art and Culture. State
Cultural Policy has been framed. Tiatr Academy of Goa has been set
up. Various schemes such as Kala Sanman, Kalakar Kritadnyata Nidhi
are being implemented to assist artists and promote cultural activities.
Transport
As on 31/12/2008 the total number of driving licenses issued in
Goa is 4,40,152 and the total number of vehicles registered in Goa
is 6,59,012.
Roads:Of the motorable roads, national highway constitutes 224
kms, state highways 232 kms and district roads 815 kms.
Railways: Goa is linked with Mumbai, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram
through the Konkan Railway, which has introduced several fast trains
on these lines. Vasco da Gama is connected with Bengaluru and Belgaum
on the South Central Railway, presently for goods traffic only.
Aviation: : Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Chennai,
Agati and Bengaluru are linked with Dabolim through regular Airlines
services.
Ports: Mormugao is the major port in the State. Mormugao handles
cargo vessels. Minor ports are located at Panaji, Tiracol, Chapora
Betul and Talpona, out of which Panaji is the main operative port.
One off-shore berth at Panaji has also been commissioned.
Health
The health care services in the state are made available to the
people at their door steps. It is one of the best performing states
in India in the matter of health and medical care. Under Mediclaim
scheme financial assistance has been enhanced to Rs.8 lakh. Mobile
health care vans and the unique 108 ambulance services have been
introduced to cater to the health care needs of the people advanced
emergency paramedics rooms have been established at Government run
primary health centres to stabilise patients inflicted with major
diseases.
Tourist Centres
Important tourist centres are Colva, Calangute, Vagator, Baga, Harmal,
Anjuna and Miramar beaches; Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral
churches at Old Goa; Kavlem, Mardol, Mangeshi, Bandora temples;
Aguada, Terekhol, Chapora and Cabo de Rama Forts; Dudhsagar and
Harvalem waterfalls and Mayem lake resort. The state has rich wildlife
sanctuaries, viz., Bondla, Cotigao, Molem and Dr Salim Ali Bird
Sanctuary at Chorao covering an area of 354 sq km.
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