Goa territory. What is Goa and where is the state

Tours to Goa have become extremely popular among Russians over the past few years. Everyone knows what it is fabulous place for recreation and travel, sightseeing of ancient monuments and sights. Where is Goa on the world map?

What is Goa and where is it located?

Most beginners in tourism are convinced that Goa is tropical island in the middle of the ocean. We hasten to assure you that this is not so, and present a small geographical reference about this wonderful place.

Meet Goa - this is the smallest state of vast India, located on its western coast, next to the always warm. every year it turns into a Mecca of tourists.

There is a common stamp that in India, where Goa is located, they are not too attentive to the observance of the rules of sanitation and hygiene. We assure you that these times in the Indian tourist states have long since sunk into oblivion.

Goa on the map

The coast of Goa, more than 100 km long, is recognized as one of the most attractive for tourists from all over the world. Magnificent hotels have been built here, standing on the cleanest beaches, many of which have been awarded Blue Flags.

Tourists will be happy to wander through the local jungles and mangroves, preserved almost unchanged. Here ancient Hindu temples have survived and continue to operate, which will tell everything about the culture of this people.

Goa is famous for its Ayurvedic medical centers, where people from all over the world come to improve their health. Local casinos are also well known, where fans of gambling spend all night long.

Interactive map of Goa with hotels and attractions

So different North and South Goa

If you look at the map of the state of Goa in India, you can clearly see its division into northern and southern parts. The same applies to the division of the local 40 magnificent beaches and a huge number of hotels.

This has been the case since the 1960s, when northern part Goa was chosen by hippies, and couples with children began to relax in its south. And today, students prefer to relax in the north, and more prosperous and respectable people in the south.

If you are interested in where Goa is located on the world map, then you probably only recently learned about this place. If earlier, when I was asked to show Goa on the world map, I was often surprised that a person does not know where Goa is, now I am sympathetic even to those people who do not know what it is at all. Often, tourists not only do not know where Goa is located on the world map, but even consider it an island. So today we will have a kind of geography lesson, and you will learn not only where Goa is located on the world map, but also some other important facts.

Introducing Goa

The Goa region, known as the "Pearl of the East", is famous for its churches, centuries-old ruins, beaches with palm trees and coconut groves, and its playful music. With its 131 km of coastline, Goa is a great place for beach lovers. About 100 km of these 131 km are beautiful sandy beaches, where you can relax at any time of the year.
What country is Goa in? It turns out that this is one of the many states in India, the smallest state of all. It boasts fabulous weather, even more fabulous beaches, amazing people, good food, hilltop forts, small white churches, Portuguese-era cathedrals and a unique cultural heritage. Therefore, it is not surprising that Goa is one of the main tourist destinations in India.
During high season Goa is filled with hippies hoping to forget everything and relax for a few days, and sun-hungry Russians and Europeans. The beaches of Goa are in most cases long, straight and lined with palm trees, but unlike most of the coastline of neighboring regions, Goa has a huge number of hotels and guest houses, as well as restaurants and bars in different price ranges.

Goa names

The name of the state of Goa appeared during the reign of the Portuguese colonizers in this region, but its exact origin remains unclear. The Indian epic Mahabharata tells of the area now known as Goa, using the names "Goparashtra" or "Govarashtra" which means "a nation of shepherds". The names "Gopakapuri" and "Gapakapattana" have appeared in some ancient Sanskrit texts and in other sacred Hindu texts such as the Harivansa and the Skanda Purana. In the latter Goa was named as "Gomanchala". "Gove", "Govapuri", "Gopakpattan" and "Gomant" are other examples of region names in texts such as the Puranas.

Where is Goa

Since Goa is the smallest state in India, it is not easy to find it on the map. This state is located on the western coast of the Indian subcontinent. Location of Goa such that it borders the states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the south. The mighty Arabian Sea lies to the west of Goa. Geographical position Goa is from 15° 48" 00" to 14° 53" 54" North latitude and from 74° 20" 13" to 73° 40" 33" East longitude. Due to its location close to the sea, Goa has a maritime climate that makes the state perfect place for relax.
Goa's location on the seafront was beneficial to the Portuguese, who decided to create one of the most prosperous shopping centers in Asia. Goa was famous for its spices and exotic spices, which were exported by the Portuguese to the countries of North and South-East Asia. In addition, Goa had a natural harbor that was well suited for ships to moor. Today you can still see the old harbor in Goa, although mostly only ruins remain of it.
On physical map Goa is located near the Western Ghats. These mountains are famous for their nature reserves. wildlife and are an ideal place for nature lovers.
By its nature, Goa is very similar to the neighboring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Three geographic regions can be distinguished here. This Mountain region, formed by the Sahyadriya ranges in the east, a plateau region in the center and low-lying river basins and coastal plains.

Districts of Goa

Although Goa is the smallest state in India, it is further divided into several sub-regions. The area of Goa is 3702 square kilometers. This entire area is divided into two main areas, namely North Goa and South Goa. These districts have their own capitals: Panaji and Margao, respectively. The borders of the state of Goa are defined in the north by the Tirakol River, which separates the region from Maharashtra. In the east and south, Goa has borders with the state of Karnataka, and in the west it is washed by the Arabian Sea. Goa is located on the west coast of India, about 600 km from the city of Mumbai.
For ease of management, all Goa divided into 11 districts, which are called taluks here. Administratively, the state is divided into two districts: North Goa, consisting of six taluks with a total area of 1736 sq. km, and South Goa, consisting of five taluks with an area of 1966 sq. km. In total, there are 383 villages in the state, of which 233 are located in north goa, and 150 in South Goa. There are also 44 cities in the state, of which 14 are municipalities.

Talukas of North Goa:
1. Bardes ( main city- Mapusa)
2. Bisholim (city of Bisholim)
3. Pernem (city of Pernem)
4. Ponda (city of Ponda)
5. Satari (Valpoi)
6. Tiswadi (Panaji)

Talukas of South Goa:
1. Canacona (Chowdy)
2. Mormugao (Vasco)
3. Kvepem (city of Kvepem)
4. Salchete (Margao)
5. Sanguem (city of Sanguem)

Rivers of Goa

With an average height of 800 meters, the Sahyadris ranges occupy an area of about 600 square meters. km. Some of the main peaks of the ranges include Sonsagar, Vagerim, Morlemhog and Katlanchimauli. Almost all the rivers of Goa originate in this region. central District Goa has a plateau located between elevations of 30m to 100m. The Mandovi and Zuari rivers have the largest basins in the region. Rivers with weaker basins include Chapora in the north and Sal and Kushavati in the south. These basins form rich agricultural lands. Some other major rivers that can be found in Goa include the Baga, Tiracol, Talpona and Galgiba.

These are old Hindu and Portuguese temples, this is the bright colors of the night market and an incredible palette of taste in a plate of seafood generously seasoned with curry...

Goa is a state of delight, where whole families come "for the winter" or just once having visited, they return again and again.

Weather

Goa is a year-round resort, the air temperature here does not fall below +20 °C. There are three main seasons: summer, winter and munsun (rainy season). Moonsun starts in June and lasts until September, winter (tourist) lasts from late October to early April, summer - from May to September.

Months are the best time to visit Goa October to March. The air temperature at this time ranges from +21 to +32 °C. At this time, there is no stuffiness and exhausting heat, which begins in April.

Hotels

Goa has many hotels of various categories - from luxury hotel complexes from a huge territory to small hostels with the only proud star in . "Stars" are very conditional and are very different from European ones. In Goa, as in Thailand, most tourists stay in two- or three-star hotels.

Hotel features


Expensive hotels with a large territory and high level service	A huge palette of hotels - from small hostels to luxury boutique hotels. Prices for accommodation below, than in .
Most built on the first line(no closer than 250 m from the beach)	Most of the hotels are built across the road from the beach.
The hotels are located at a distance from the villages, the entire infrastructure is inside hotels.	Excellent infrastructure– Near the hotels there are restaurants, shops, markets.
The beaches of the hotels are wide (there are fenced areas), the territories are cleaned, there are almost no locals.	The beaches are public, sunbeds and umbrellas are paid, many locals.
Entertainment outside the hotel almost not.	Many o discos, night bars, entertainment for all tastes.

Resorts

The state of Goa is divided into three parts - Northern, Central and. They differ greatly from each other in the level of service and a set of entertainment. counts respectable resort where wealthy Europeans rest; chosen by budget travelers and creative youth; Central Goa combines the properties of other parts of the state and is a major transport hub: there are an airport, a railway station, a port, and bus stations.

north goa

Large spacious beach, many nightclubs and bars, there is an interesting flea market.

The beach is spacious, there are several bars. There are parties in the evenings. Rest is suitable for noisy companies and active youth. Located farthest from the airport.

1.5 km away from the sea. Lots of expensive comfortable hotels. Suitable for tourists with children.

wide beach with volcanic sand separated from the village by a river. Relatively quiet resort, suitable for families with children.

The oldest resort in all of Goa. Suitable for any type of holiday. The beach is wide and there is a river nearby.

Popular with creative youth. Known for its nightly parties. There are several beaches, with a rocky shore.

The most famous beach of all Goa and the most popular resort. Large range of hotels

Quiet resort with expensive hotels. The beach is sandy, wide, right on it stands the Portuguese fort of Aguada. Located closest to the airport.

Situated between two rivers. Accommodation of tourists is mainly in bungalows.

Quiet resort with good infrastructure. Popular with Russian tourists.

A small quiet village with budget hotels and a clean beach.

Small village next to the airport. Very clean white sand beaches, mid-range hotels.

Large resort with spacious beaches and good choice hotels. Quiet place, suitable for relaxation.

A secluded village with a very good level of service in hotels. Spacious clean beach suitable for families with children.

A popular resort with good infrastructure and budget hotels.

Popular resort. Suitable for families with small children. Located closest to the airport.

A resort with good infrastructure and expensive hotels. Surrounded on three sides by water.

One of the most beautiful beaches in all of Goa. Located farthest from the airport. One of the most expensive resorts.

small village with beautiful beach. Very quiet resort, suitable for lovers of solitude

Attractions

Acquaintance with Goa among tourists usually begins at Dabolim Airport, in the city of Vasco da Gama. The city is named after the famous discoverer-navigator. The Portuguese heritage is well preserved in this Indian state and there is always something for tourists to see.

Both in and in have their own set of attractions. Excursion routes are organized to all the sights, they are conveniently accessible from any corner of Goa.

For example, in Old Goa(city in) preserved beautiful cathedrals, ruins of churches and narrow streets. In Panaji, the capital of Goa, you should definitely wander around the old district of Fontainehas and see the architectural complex of Largo da Igreja. The Portuguese forts of Aguada and Alorna are also at the top of the list of attractions in Goa. The fortress of Aguada is located on the outskirts of Candolim beach - after sunbathing and swimming, you can look at this ancient stronghold.

On Wednesdays and Fridays in Goa, grandiose markets. On Friday, you need to go to Mapusa to bargain and buy plenty of bright clothes, souvenirs, painted plates, spices, incense and a lot of what your heart desires. There is a flea market in Anjuna - it opens every Wednesday in the early morning and rages until sunset.

The biggest christian temple in Asia - cathedral Cathedral of Saint Catherine (Old Goa). The relics of the baptist of Asia, St. Francis, can be seen in the Basilica of Jesus, one of the most famous churches not only in Goa, but throughout India.

The most popular excursions in Goa - in spice garden "Savoy" and to the waterfalls. Spice plantations are not only interesting, but also very informative, and also delicious, because every tourist will be sure to be fed with dishes generously seasoned with curry and fragrant herbs. There are a lot of spice plantations in Goa, "Savoy" is located 23 km from the capital of the state of Panaji. Dudhsagar waterfall overthrows streams of water from a height of more than 300 meters! It is also called the "milky ocean" - for the white color of the water. The waterfall is located in the eastern part of Goa, you can get to it in a few hours by bus.

In the Cotigao Reserve, you can wander through the multi-story jungle. The reserve is located 12 km from the beach in.

Goa has many centers ayurveda where you can create your own healing program with herbs, massages and potions based on natural ingredients.

Transport

Most tourists rent bike and roam around the state. For rent, you will need to leave a deposit in foreign currency (from 60 to 200 dollars). A driver's license is rarely required. Traffic in Goa, as in all of India, is chaotic, so we recommend that you brush up on your driving skills in advance and be extremely careful on the roads. There are almost no gas stations in Goa, gasoline can be bought from hand in roadside tents and shops (sold in ordinary water bottles).

Those who do not dare to ride a bike in India use the services Taxi. Taxis are quite expensive, all areas are divided between taxi drivers. Almost no one has a counter.

Another way to move between Goa resorts - bus. This message in India is very developed, buses call even in the most remote villages. Travel in them is very cheap (from 5 to 40 rupees), locals use it with pleasure. The amount of the fee depends on the distance of the trip. The buses are old, they have no air conditioning, the windows are protected by bars (from monkeys).

Between Goa resorts direct message no, you need to go with a change at the bus station (in Mapusa, Panaji or Margao). The buses do not have numbers, the route is written in the local language, but the conductors and drivers loudly announce the direction at the bus stops. By the way, there are no stops in the usual sense, the bus stops on demand anywhere. Intervals of buses - on average 1 time in 15 minutes.

A trip on an Indian bus is like an attraction - a bright old bus rushes through the jungle to Indian music, the conductor jokes with passengers, women in bright saris laugh ...

Goa bus stations

Souvenirs

Most of the souvenirs that tourists bring from trips to Goa are ethnic. Often they buy saris (national Indian women's clothing) and bloomers (loose pants), textiles (bed linen, bedspreads, towels), jewelry with gems, incense sticks, henna. A good souvenir will be spices, toothpaste with red pepper, natural cosmetics brand "Hymalaya". Sandalwood and ebony deity figurines start at $3.

Lamb stewed in milk with curry, meatballs in spicy yogurt, chicken in orange sauce with herbs are popular. famous for its abundance of vegetarian dishes, such as rice cakes or curried lentil dumplings (dosa and samba). Vegetables are served with curry and rice.

Seafood and fish in Goa are incredibly popular. Fish is fried on fire, baked in dough, stewed in curry yoghurt... Try maylai - shrimp with constant curry and coconut. Perfectly refreshing in the heat is the drink dhai - curdled milk with spices. Alcohol is sold freely in Goa, local “moonshine” called “feni” is made here - this is fermented coconut juice and cashews.

Good to know

All tourists arrive at Dabolim Airport. The flight from Moscow takes approximately 7.5 hours.
Time in Goa is 2.5 hours ahead of Moscow.
In Goa, Indian Konkani, Portuguese and English are spoken.
Sockets in Goa do not differ from Russian ones.
The currency in Goa, as elsewhere in India, is the rupee. There are 100 paise in one rupee. In August 2017, the exchange rate of the rupee and the ruble was approximately the same: for 1 ruble they gave 1 rupee and 6 paise.
From India to Russia, you can take out duty-free no more than 3 liters of alcohol per person who has reached the age of 18, up to 5 liters - with the payment of a fee.
Thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits bought in the markets. Drink only bottled water.

Goa- a state in India with a total length of more than 3.7 thousand square meters. km. Geographically located in the north of the country, directly adjacent to the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. West Side The state is washed by the Arabian Sea, which flows directly into the Indian Ocean. The length of the coastline of the region is about 100 km.

The conquest of Goa as a colony took place in the first half of the 16th century. Europeans first landed in the state in 1510. This was done by A. D'Albuquerque. During this period, the state becomes the center (capital) of the Portuguese colonizers. Here are the main governing bodies of the controlled territories, which stretched from Africa (Mombasa) to China (Macau).

In the 16th century, a new religion, Catholicism, was actively promoted. Residents of the state are being persecuted for mixed marriages. Since the conquest of the state by the kings Western Europe considered the region as the first stage to the conquest of the coastal regions of India. Portuguese power dominated the state until the 19th century. In the first half of the 19th century, the region came under British control. In the middle of the 20th century, the state was occupied by Indian troops. The state acquires sovereignty in 1973.

Population

It is one of the least populated states in the country. The specific annual population growth does not exceed 15%. On this moment the state is inhabited by about 1.33 million people. The majority of the population lives in cities.

Religion

The role of the center of colonial activity left its mark on the dominant beliefs. The following beliefs appeared in the state at different times:

Sikhism. It was founded in the 11th century. The main provisions are reduced to the existence of a single god. The founder of the religion was Nanak, who had a negative attitude towards the caste system prevailing in the country.
Hinduism. The main religion of the state until the 15th century, i.e. before colonization. The sacred books of this faith - the Vedas - are considered as the main source of Indian philosophy. Religion provides for the possibility of reincarnation of a person in various forms, each of which is determined by individual karma.
Christianity. During the period of colonization, the Portuguese spread Catholicism throughout the region. Local Catholics recognize the authority of the Pope, and the state as a whole is secular.
Buddhism. As a religion, it was spread during the period of domination of Sikhism and Hinduism. The territory of the spread of belief is Tibet and the inhabitants of the coastal part of the state.

Now more than 60% of all residents profess Hinduism. Adherents of Catholicism are 25% of the population, the rest of the people profess other confessions (Buddhism - 5%, Jainism - 3%).

Climate

The region has 3 pronounced seasons - winter, summer, rainy season. The local climate is mild, tropical. It allows the development of tourism all year round. The best time to travel to Goa is from November to February. In this period average temperature air does not exceed +30 degrees. IN summer time the air heats up to +45 and more, which creates problems for tourists from the European part of Eurasia.

June and July in the state is characterized by the dominance of the monsoon wind. This is the cause of tropical rains. They cool the air up to +20 degrees. From August to September - the velvet period, when the cost of living in hotels is minimal, and the average air temperature is + 28.

Attractions

The attractiveness of the state is due to the mild climate, the possibility of visiting the resort all year round, as well as the sights that have been preserved during the change of colonial power. tourist trips organized in:

Portuguese forts

In the region, these are Aguada and Alorna. The peculiarity of these buildings is that they were built in the 15th century, almost 80% of them have survived, on their territory there is the largest Christian cathedral of St. Helena, which is currently operating. It is a center of pilgrimage for representatives of the Christian denomination.

State capital

This is the city of Panaji. Architecture allows us to conclude about the dominance of various peoples in the state. The Portuguese quarter has been preserved - low-lying chapels, relief balconies protruding onto the roadway, a church Immaculate Conception. Here historic district Fonteyhans is a vivid example of the culture of Great Britain during the period of the protectorate of the state, as well as the chapel of St. Sebastian is one of the main strongholds of Catholicism.

Mapusa city

Tourists visit it to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Indian culture. The Friday market is concentrated here - the main place of trade, through which more than 1 million people pass every day. Acrobats, musicians, snake charmers, circus actors, sword swallowers - all the colorful cultural life is concentrated in Mapusa.

In the 15th century - the center of control of the territories controlled by the Portuguese. Now it is a village where the architecture of the medieval period has been preserved, and Baroque cathedrals are also functioning.

National parks

There are more than 6 of them on the territory of the state. Natural areas and unique architectural monuments are concentrated here. The most visited place is the Dudhsagar waterfall, whose height exceeds 600 m.

Resorts

The state is divided into Southern and northern resort. IN tourism plan the difference between them lies in the type of holiday - students and young people prefer the north. Discos, bars, recreation areas, as well as all the conditions for a noisy company are concentrated here. The southern part of the state - hotels and spas. IN travel agencies motivate the choice of a hotel in this region for fans a relaxing holiday. The price of hotels is higher here, but the infrastructure and entertainment area is similar to the Northern part of the state.

The main resorts are:

More than 70% of all tourists are Russians. The abundance of restaurants with Russian cuisine, the dominance of the Russian language, the abundance of souvenir shops with the appropriate symbols are the main features of the resort.

A place of unity between man and nature. There are practically no achievements of civilization on the territory of the city: the houses are mostly clay, the infrastructure is transportation by horses and draft animals, the main food is seafood and vegetables.

Resort in the southern part of the state. It is characterized by an abundance of 4-5 star hotels, excellent service and ample opportunities for entertainment on the water: diving, boat trips, ferries, yachts. 10 km sandy beaches hotels with a high level of service are concentrated.

The territory with tourist infrastructure extends for 35 km. The abundance of palm trees, fruit trees, restaurants with local cuisine- all this allows you to plunge into cultural life region.

Kitchen

IN traditional dishes 3 main ingredients dominate - spices, coconut oil (also used in cosmetology), seafood. The Portuguese colonizers had a key influence on the formation of the cuisine.

Vegetarian udiliya, Indian Mughlai and Punjabi cuisine are served at the restaurants. On the coast, restaurants offer Spanish, German, French cuisine. Menu local residents for every day - fig. It is cooked with basmati spices, curry sauce, grated coconut grains.

The long coastline leads to the presence of numerous rivers, streams, ponds - the main source of fish. IN Indian Ocean shrimps, sharks, sardines, oysters are mined. They are in various forms, but with the obligatory addition of an abundance of spices, served on the table of local residents and tourists.

Leafy vegetables or "tambdi bhaji" are cooked with onion, coconut, green chili. A popular vegetable dish - "fugate" - consists of dry ground spices and long string beans. Breadfruit is used as a side dish for meat. They are cooked in coconut milk.

Currency

The state currency of the state and the country as a whole is the rupee. The exchange rate of the local currency against the dollar is 1 rupee = 0.2 USD; to the ruble - 1 rupee - 0.9 p. The exchange is made in banks, as well as on the territory of hotels. The dollar, pounds, Russian rubles are accepted for calculation. There is no need to exchange USD for local currency, because. You can pay directly in dollars in bars, restaurants. Travel vouchers are also sold at the rate of the US dollar.

Language and major holidays

From the second half of the 20th century official language state is the Konkani dialect. With the help of this font, correspondence is signed, as well as interaction at the level of statesmen. Over 60% of the population uses Konkani for communication. Other language groups are represented in the state of Marathi (25% of the total population), as well as Kannada (about 4%) and Hindi (2%). These languages are used by immigrants and not by the native population of the state.

In the spring, the main holiday in the state is the Shigmotsav festival. This is an analogue of the Russian Maslenitsa. All residents of the state take part in the celebration. During this period, colorful parades, impromptu sword and ax fights, themed fairs and vibrant dance shows are common.

In May, "Igitun Chalne" or walking on fire is celebrated. Feast in honor of the goddess Lairaya. Locals walk on the coals at a temple near the village of Shirigao. This event attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Some holidays are associated with craft activities in the state. June is Saint Anthony's Day. On the 13th, a statue of this saint is lowered into the well, if there was no rain before June.

Medicine

Local medicine is developed on the territory of the state. Ayurveda is a key direction in the development of the pharmaceutical industry. Cosmetics, drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C, generics, patents for the production of drugs under international licenses - all this is concentrated in India and Goa.

Vaccinations are not required to visit the state. A medical policy is issued for the entire period of rest. It has an international form and allows you to provide a full range of services, regardless of the location in the state.

The country is a collection of states, each of which is characterized by an individual culture. The dominant religion is Judaism. There are no bans on visiting public places - bars, cafes, restaurants - in swimsuits or revealing clothes, but the interests of local residents and their ideas about the culture of behavior should be taken into account.

Water should only be consumed bottled. There are hygiene problems in the state. Washing clothes in local rivers and reservoirs is commonplace. Most of the population speaks English and Russian. There should be no problems with transfer and trade. In a cafe, payment is possible both using the local currency, and in dollars, pounds, rubles. When swimming in the ocean, be aware of the fickle nature climatic conditions. On the beaches, rescue teams are on duty, which signal the need to get out of the water if the weather deteriorates. Waves can reach several meters in height, which is life-threatening.

Helpful information

The Russian representative office in the state is located at Alcon Chambers, 2nd Floor, D.B. Marg, Panaji, Goa - 403 001. There is a single police call number - 100. An ambulance can be contacted at 102. However, this applies to exceptional cases. The main interaction with representatives of emergency services is carried out through the hotel or consulate.

Favorable conditions for air tickets

The largest city Vasco da Gama, Madgaon Dr. big cities Mapsa (Mapusa) Date of formation May 29, 1987 Governor Mridula Sinha Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Official language Konkani, Marathi, English Population 3 104 600 people (26th place) Population estimate (2017) Density 838.65 people/km² (16th place) Confessional composition Hindu: 66%; Christians: 26.5%; Muslims: 8.3% Square 3702 km² (29th) Height

・Maximum

1166 m Sonsogor m

Timezone UTC+5:30 ISO 3166-2 code INGA Official site Audio, photo and video at Wikimedia Commons

Goa(Hindi गोआ, port. Goa) - a state in the southwest, the smallest among the states in terms of area and 26th (out of 29) in terms of population. Former Portuguese colony on the Hindustan Peninsula. Population - 3.1046 million people (26th among states; 2017 estimate). Capital - . The largest city - .

Geography

The area of Goa is only 3702 km², the length from north to south is 105 km, from west to east a maximum of 65 km. Thus, Goa is the smallest of the twenty-nine states of India. Goa is located in the middle part of the western coast of India. In the north it borders with the state, in the south and east - with, in the west it is washed by the Arabian Sea. The length of the coastline is 101 km.

A narrow strip of coast separates the sea from the mountain plateau, in the east passing into the spurs of the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) mountain range is the western elevated outskirts of the Deccan Plateau, about 1800 km long. The Western Ghats occupy about 15% of the area of the state, their average height is 1200 m. high point Goa reaches 1167 m above sea level. Coastline Goa is cut by estuaries, most of which originate in the Western Ghats. the largest rivers are Mandovi, Zuari and Chapora.

Climate

Goa has a typical subequatorial climate with pronounced dry and wet season. Hot and humid weather prevails in the region for half of the year (from May to October). The highest temperature is observed in May, the average maximum is 33 ° C, and even at this time high humidity remains (73% in March). The monsoon period starts in June and ends in September. At this time it becomes cooler, the temperature is about 25-30 °C. The monsoon period is also characterized by the greatest amount of precipitation (in July - about 1000 mm, for comparison, an average of 700 mm falls per year).

The dry season in Goa lasts from mid-December to February. Daily fluctuations increase and amount to 10-15 °C. At night the temperature is around 20°C, during the day around 31°C. Precipitation during this period is extremely rare.

Climate Goa
Index	Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sen.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Year
Average maximum, °C	31,6	31,5	32,0	33,0	33,0	30,3	28,9	28,8	29,5	31,6	32,8	32,4	31,3
Average minimum, °C	19,6	20,5	23,2	25,6	26,3	24,7	24,1	24,0	23,8	23,8	22,3	20,6	23,2
Precipitation rate, mm	0,2	0,1	1,2	11,8	112,7	868,2	994,8	512,7	251,9	124,8	30,9	16,7	2926
Source: World Meteorological Organization

Solar Activity

Sunshine, hours per month
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	sen	Oct	But I	Dec	Year
Sunshine, h	313,1	301,6	291,4	288,0	297,6	126,0	105,4	120,9	177,0	248,0	273,0	300,7	2842,7

Hours of sunshine, average per day

From December to April, the average number of sunny hours is about 10. The least - from June to August - from 4 to 5.

Day length

Goa is located in low latitudes, so the length of the day does not fluctuate much depending on the season. 12 hours or more lasts a day from February to October. November to January - 11 a.m.