Goa is a seaside gem that is tucked away on the southwestern border of the Indian subcontinent. The imposing Western Ghats set it apart from the Deccan highlands. The Arabian Sea softly laps its western shore, and it shares borders with Karnataka to the east and south and Maharashtra to the north. Even though Goa is the fourth-smallest state in terms of people and the smallest in terms of land, it has achieved exceptional economic success, as evidenced by its GDP per capita, which is more than double the national average. According to India’s Eleventh Finance Commission, Goa is the best state in terms of infrastructure.

According to the “12 Indicators,” Goa has the best quality of life in India, according to the National Commission on Population. Furthermore, according to India’s Human Development Index, it is ranked second. Vasco da Gama is the largest city, and Panaji, also called Panjim, is the state capital. With its ancient alleys, Margão exemplifies the Portuguese influence that has persisted since their presence in the early 16th century.

Before India conquered it in 1961, Goa was an important outpost of the Portuguese Empire for almost 456 years. The majority of its residents speak Konkani as their first language.

Beyond its lengthy history, Goa draws a wide range of visitors each year with its immaculate beaches, exciting nightlife, holy places, and architectural marvels that are classified as World Heritage. It is one of the world’s unique biodiversity havens and a hotspot for biodiversity due to its close proximity to the lush rainforests of the North Western Ghats.