Goa
Goa Listeni/ˈɡoʊ.ə/ is the India\'s smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West 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 is India\'s richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.
Panaji is the state\'s capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants and conquered it soon thereafter. Goa is a former Portuguese province. The Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961.
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. Variously known as \"Pearl of the Orient\" and a \"Tourist Paradise.\" The state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches, and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world, but then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul, which goes deep into unique history, rich culture, and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area.
