User:Kensplanet/Goa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goa (English pronunciation: /ˈɡoʊ.ə/; Konkani: गोंय /ɡɔ̃j/) is India's smallest state in terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population. Located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast.
Goa
गोंय | |
---|---|
ISO 3166 code | IN-GA |
No. of districts | 2 |
Largest city | Vasco da Gama |
Legislature type | Unicameral |
Legislature Strength | 40 |
Website | goagovt |
"?"Konkani is the sole official language but Marathi is also allowed to be used for any or all official purposes.[1][2] |
Panaji is the state's capital. Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the influence of Portuguese culture. The Portuguese first landed in Goa as merchants, in the early 16th century, and conquered it soon thereafter. The Portuguese overseas territory existed for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961.[3][4]
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.