Goa is the smallest state of the Republic of India. It lies on the country's west coast, about 400 kilometres south of Bombay.
Long, sandy beaches, fringed with coconut palms, make it a tropical paradise for visitors. Other tourist attractions are the colonial buildings from the 1500's, built when Goa was the headquarters of Portugal's Asian empire. India regained control of Goa from the Portuguese in 1961.

Three main cities developed in Goa - Old Goa, Panaji (New Goa), and Margao. Today, Old Goa is half-hidden in jungle. Its population was severely affected by plague in the 1600's, and the new city was set up at Panaji. Panaji, the capital, contains the main government buildings.

Margoa is Goa's biggest commercial centre. Mormugao, Goa's major port, has a fine harbour-one of the best on the west coast of India. The harbour is the focus of economic activity in Goa.

Climate: Goa faces the full strength of the monsoon, with four-fifths of its annual rainfall between June and September. Average minimum temperatures are 19 °C in January, the coolest month, rising to 25 °C in June. Maximum temperatures hover between 29 °C and 33 °C. The coolest months are July to September, because heavy cloud cover blocks out the sun.

Tourist Centres : Tourism is a major industry in Goa. On an average a million people visit Goa. The Industrial status accorded to the Goan tourism has been revoked. Therefore, the Government plans to go for selective tourism.

Dabolim airport, near the port town of Vasco-da-Gama, is equipped to receive chartered flights. The territory is known for its numerous beaches such as Calangute, Colva and Vagator. Old Goa has the basilica of Bom Jesus, where the casket containing the incorruptible body of St. Francis Xavier, the Apostle of Goa is housed.

Other famous shrines are the St Cathedral and the Assissi Church. A few Km away is Ponda, where the Mangueshi Siva temple, the Santha Durga temple and the Nagueshi temple are situated. Dona Paula, overlooking the confluence of the Mandovi river, the Aravelam waterfalls, the Mayem lake, the Dudsagar waterfalls, the Bondla sanctuary, the Mormugao harbour and the Aguada Fort are some of the other tourist attractions.