Goa

GOA

The state of Goa, India, is famous for its beaches and places of worship, and tourism is its primary industry. Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland.

Foreign tourists, mostly from Europe, arrive in Goa in winter whilst the summer and monsoon seasons see a large number of Indian tourists. Goa handled 7% of all foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2011. This relatively small state is situated on the western coast of India, between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka and is better known to the world as a former Portuguese enclave on Indian soil. Influenced by over 450 years of Portuguese rule and Latin culture, Goa presents a somewhat different representation of the country to foreign visitors. Major tourist attractions include: Bom Jesus Basilica, Fort Aguada, a wax museum on Indian culture and a heritage museum. The Churches and Convents of Goa have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Beaches

 Goa's beaches cover about 125 kilometres (78 mi) of its coastline. These beaches are divided into North and South Goa. North Goa is more commercial and touristy with an abundance of mostly low and medium budget tourist accommodations; whereas South Goa is where most higher–end hotels and private beaches are located. A notable exception in South Goa is Palolem Beach which features basic accommodation and is one of the most visited beaches in Goa. The further north or south you go, the more isolated the beaches get. Some of the more popular beaches are Colva, Calangute, Baga and Anjuna. These beaches are lined with shacks that provide fresh sea food and drinks. Some shacks arrange special events to attract more customers.

North Goa

Panaji is the headquarters of North Goa district.
North Goa is further divided into four subdivisions – Panaji, Bicholim, Mapusa and Ponda; and six taluks – Tiswadi (Panaji), Bardez (Mapusa), Pernem, Bicholim, Sattari (Valpoi), and Ponda.

Beaches in Northern Goa

• Anjuna
• Arambol

  

  Taj-Fort Auguda

• Baga
• Bambolim
• Calangute
• Candolim
• Chapora
• Dona Paula
• Miramar
• Morjim
• Sinquerim
• Vagator

 

South Goa

Margao is the headquarters of South Goa district.
South Goa is further divided into three subdivisions – Margao, Mormugao (Vasco da Gama), and Quepem; and six taluks – Mormugao, Salcete (Margao), Quepem, Canacona (Chaudi), Sanguem, and Dharbandora.

 

Beaches in Southern Goa

•  Agonda

  

  Margao

• Benaulim
• Bogmalo
• Canaguinim
• Cavelossim
• Colva
• Majorda
• Mobor
• Palolem
• Varce 

Wildlife

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary harbour Goa's rich bio-diversity. Foxes, wild boars and migratory birds are also found in the forests of Goa.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. The famous Dudhsagar Falls, India's fifth tallest at 310 metres, is located inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary at the Goa - Karnaraka border.
The renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao. The Endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtle can be found on Morjim Beach in Pernem, Northern Goa and Galgibaga Beach in Canacona, Southern Goa. The turtles are listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act. Morjim Beach is also host to a number of migratory birds during late September to early April. The area surrounding the shore at Tembwada in Morjim also abounds in various species of birds. A number of international bird watching tours are organised in the area.

Museums

The following museums are located in Goa:

• Goa State Museum set up in 1996 aims at centralising and preserving antiquities, art objects and objects of cultural importance, depicting the different aspects of the Goan History and Culture.

  

  Naval Aviation Museum

• Naval Aviation Museum near Dabolim. The Aviation museum is one among three of its kind in India.
• Goa Science Centre is located on Miramar Beach in Panjim. Opened in December 2001, it houses many wonders of Science and Astronomy.
• Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery located in Old Goa is run by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• The Museum of Christian Art has a number of paintings, sculptures and religious silverware dating back to the 16th century.

Forts

 The landscape of Goa is dotted with several forts. Fort Tiracol, the seventeenth-century Portuguese Fort Aguada, and Chapora Fort, to name a few.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation

 The Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (GTDC) carries out tourism commercial activities like conducting sight seeing tours and river cruises. It also manages 12 hotels with a total of 525 rooms.