Goa, Capital city Panaji
Area: 370200 sq kms
Population: 1171000 

Introduction
On the northern side of Goa runs the Terekhol river, which separates Goa from Maharashtra. On the southern side, lies the North Canara district of Karnataka, while on the eastern side are the Western Ghats. On the west is the Arabian sea. 
History
Goa, was founded about 1440 and conquered by the Portuguese in 1510. Goa becomes the administrative head for the Eastern colony of the Portuguese. The Marathas nearly occupied Goa from the Portuguese in the 18th century. During the Napoleonic wars British rulers occupied Goa for a very short period until 1961 when they were finally driven out After India attained independence in 1947, the Indian government began demanding that Portugal cede Goa to India. After years of border tensions and guerrilla warfare, Indian troops invaded and occupied Goa in December 1961. It was incorporated into India in 1962.
Geography
Goa has a coastline of about 104 kms and inland waterways of upto 250 kms. The Coast is full of creeks and estuaries formed by rivers. Goa is situated on the Malabar Coast and has sandy beaches and a tropical climate. Inland, Goa becomes hilly, stretching to part of the Western Ghats. About one-quarter of the state is covered by forest.
Places of Interest
Mapusa 
13kms from Panaji, Mapusa is a small town forming the hub of north Goa. It has an even blend of residential and commercial establishments and gardens. People from all over Goa come here to buy and sell their wares in the famous Friday market
Ponda 
is also called Antruz Mahal because of the concentration of culture, music, drama and poetry. This town also has many temples - Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Shri Nagesh temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shri Mangesh temple and the Safe Shahouri Masjid.
Beaches of Goa
These beaches are a nature lover's delight. Secluded and picturesque, this beach is ideal for lazing around in the sun. There are so many beaches that this state has become the prime holiday spot for those visiting India and the Indians themselves.
Rivers and Lakes
The two largest rivers are the Mandavi and Zuari
Major Crops
Chief products are rice, cashew and betel nuts, coconuts, mangoes, teak, blackwood, and bamboo.
Weather and Climate
The climate is generally warm, with average January temperatures ranging from 19° to 29° C (66° to 84° F), and average June temperatures ranging from 25° to 33° C (77° to 91° F). Goa experiences a monsoon season from June through September; it accounts for four-fifths of the state's average annual rainfall.
People
The population of Goa includes native inhabitants, Portuguese descendants, and the descendants of marriages between the two groups.
Religion
Most of the native inhabitants are Hindu, while many of the Portuguese descendants are Christians.
Festivals
Shigmohotsav
A spectacular display of Goan Hindu ethnicity and mythology was on show as the annual Shigmo parade held centerstage on Panjim's 18th June Road on 21st March 2000. Attired in traditional costumes, 13 folk groups consisting of women dancers gave vibrant performances of various "Divli" dances. 

Shigmo
Shigmo, besides being an amazing form of entertainment, is also a cultural exhibition of Goa's history from time immemorial upto the present day. The procession begins with the brass bands reminiscent of the Maratha conquerors, followed by a series of Kunbi Folk-Dances performed by village tribal women bedecked in gold and brightly-coloured sarees. Regional dances from the Northern and Southern talukas (counties) of Goa also find expression during Shigmo, as well as various acrobats and 'fire-throwers' from Kerala. Men marching with poles to the beat of drums, others dancing with decorated umbrellas, both sexes parading in elaborate costumes representing various deities; all can be seen during the Goan Shigmo Parade. The procession culminates in a line of illuminated floats atop which larger-than life mechanical figures represent important deities and some even re-enact their heroic deeds.
Language
Goa's official language is Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, English and Portuguese are also spoken. 
Food
The staplefood in Goa is fish, both among the Hindus as well as the Catholics. However, there are vast differences in the foods of these two communities, the main reason being that the Christians also eat beef and pork, which are taboo in most Hindu households. Feni
This is the Goan popular drink. There are two types: palm and cashew. Cashew feni is made from the fruit of the cashew tree, not the nut. Cashew feni is stronger than palm and is characterised by its strong, sometimes overpowering smell.