The tiny, gorgeous state of Goa on India’s west coast, is a major tourist hub with over a million tourists visiting every year. Goa’s name was derived from a Portuguese word that means golden bay. It has a spectacular coastline with palm fringed beaches on the Konkan Coast. The state has a mild subtropical climate with cool winters and hot summers. The best time to visit Goa is between April and December, as the rest of the year sees generally high temperatures.
Goa has a rich history as a Portuguese Colony before 1961. A series of world heritage sites can be found here including the Bom Jesus Basilica, Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Cajetan. Its long history as an independent state is quite evident from its preserved 17th century churches and its tropical spice plantations. Goa is known for its beautiful beaches, which range from cool coastal beaches in Baga to lush palm fringed ones in Colva. The most famous beach in Goa, Benaulim Beach, attracts thousands of tourists who come to bathe in the beach, swim in the sea or enjoy water sports. Calangute Beach, on the northern coast, is frequented by jet skiing, water sports and windsurfing.
Goa also boasts of a large and diverse workforce, with the city being one of the few places in India where almost all the states and municipalities are located together. This helps in the integration of various cultures and lifestyles, with the city having a cosmopolitan outlook and offering different districts and areas a taste of rural life. Goa also forms the major part of India’s largest postalway project which will connect Mumbai in the north to Pune in the south. Goa’s unique cultural heritage and thriving tourism industry have earned it a place among South Asia’s most exciting holiday destinations.
