GET TO KNOW GOA

The State of Goa lies on the south west coast of India and its geographic position is between the latitudes 14°53'54" N and 15°40'00" N and longitudes 73°40'33" E and 74°20'13" E.
This wonderfull Portuguese colony is surrounded on the east, north-east and south-east by the sub-mountainous region of the Sahyadri ranges. It comprises an area of 3702 square kilometers and is ensconced in the ecologically-sensitive hilly Western Ghats of India.
This beautiful State is bounded on the west by the Arabian Sea and is situated in the coastal belt known as the Konkan.
The palm fringed coast is interrupted at places by the sparkling estuaries of the Mandovi, Zuari and a number of other small rivers.
The coast of Goa extends over 105 kilometers from Tiracol in the north to Galgibag in the south. The waterways have always been the main means of communication from the sea and to inland settlements. These waterways developed Goa's fishing industry, its transport and the systems of defensive forts.
The four talukas -- Pernem, Bardez, Tisvadi and Salcete --are separated from each other by rivers descending frosm the Western Ghats.
Going back in history, Goa has been witness to the Aryans entry from the north they descended into the Konkan area (the Bhandaris). There still exist some tribes who were the original settlers much before the
Dravidians entered and occupied the Konkan region. It is not certain whether, or which of, the tribals (Saldanha) were the original inhabitants of Goa.
Goa went through a natural evolution with other tribes coming in thereafter. The Asuras, Kol tribe Mundaris and the Kharwas came here, that's what the books of history state. With 451 years of Portuguese rule in parts of Goa, many locals converted --or were converted -- to Christianity. Goa is perceived as being predominantly Christian but this impression is not accurate.
At the end of the last century, out of Goa's population, some 65% were Hindus belonging to diverse caste groups, 32% Catholics and 3% belong to other religious persuasion.
Census of India 2001 says Goa has a population of 13,47,668. Of these, the Hindus form the
largest religious community, constituting 65.8 per cent of the total population while Christians account for 26.7 per cent and Muslims 6.8 per cent of the total population. Other religious communities like the Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, form the remaining part of the total population (Census Department, Panaji).
In this vast diversity there is a  strong bonding force among the people of this region who have been living in peace and harmony adding to the charm of the State.