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The Goa and its Beaches

Goa exemplifies the fusion of Indian and Portuguese culture, and it is a very popular tourist attraction. So, let us learn more about the Goa beaches, history, culture, tourist attractions, and the hotels in Goa.

Goa to India is what Ibiza is like globally: clubs, casinos, flea markets, or beaches. Goa is a region off the southwest coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan mountains by the Western Ghats. It has the highest GDP per capita in India, and it is two and a half times higher than the national GDP per capita. Goa is visited by thousands of international and domestic tourists each year thanks to beaches of Goa, active nightlife and places of worship.

History of Goa

In 1510, the Portuguese captured Goa. It was the beginning of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa until India annexed it in 1961. After India gained independence, it demanded that Portuguese territories in the Indian subcontinent be freed, but Portugal refused to negotiate and ruled on Indian territories, including Goa. On December 19, 1961, the Indian Army invaded and captured Goa with the islands of Daman and Diu, also known as Operation Vijay. After a few years, on January 16 1967, a referendum was held in Goa to determine the future of the Goa Local Association. It was the only referendum held in independent India. The survey provided the people of Goa with a choice between continuing as a union or merging with the Maharashtra region, and the majority voted for the first. Consequently, On May 30, 1987, the union area was divided, with Goa becoming the 25th district of India. 

Interesting Facts About Goa

A native of Goa is called Goan. Goa has a very high urban population, with 62.17 per cent of the population living in urban areas. Konkani in the Devanagari text is the only official language of Goa, but Marathi can be used “for all legal purposes”. The Goan culture is a blend of Eastern and Western styles, but the latter plays a major role. Local festivals are Christmas, Easter, Carnival, Diwali, Shigmo, Chavoth, Samvatsar Padvo, Dasara, etc. Goan Carnival and New Year’s Christmas festivities attract many visitors. Rice with fish curry is a staple food in Goa. Goan cuisine is famous for its wide variety of fish dishes cooked in sophisticated recipes. Coconuts and coconut oil are widely used in Goan cooking and peppers, spices, and vinegar, giving the food a unique aroma. Goan cuisine is heavily influenced by Portuguese cuisine. Also, the Goan architecture is a combination of Goan, Ottoman, and Portuguese styles. 

Hotels in Goa

Goa is one of the most beautiful places in India. The number of foreign tourists visiting Goa has risen exponentially. This has created a great demand for the hotels in goa. And as a result, there is no limit to the number of hotels in Goa. As it is a major tourist attraction, one can easily book a stay from the numerous options available per one’s budget and expectations. 

Goa Beaches

There is always debate among travellers about what are the best beaches of Goa: Is it South or North? Generally, the south has beautiful, quiet beaches for those seeking peace and tranquility, and the beaches in the north of Goa are full of fun and parties. Also, there are so many beaches in Goa that one can’t visit them unless they stay for weeks. So, if one wants to know the most famous and peaceful beaches in Goa, this is a small list.

  • Querim Beach in North Goa is ideal for watching the sunset.
  • Vagator beach in North Goa is ideal for parties.
  • Baga beach in North Goa is popular for its nightlife and shopping.
  • Anjuna beach in North Goa is ideal for water sports.
  • Calangute Beach in North Goa is ideal for swimming in calm waters.
  • Palolem beach in South Goa is ideal for everything.
  • Colva beach in South Goa is ideal for parasailing.
  • Benaulim Beach in South Goa is known for its sand.
  • Agonda Beach in South Goa is ideal for yoga.
  • Patnem Beach in South Goa is ideal for cricket.

Conclusion

Goa is full of gardens, churches, and monuments well-managed for the region’s tourism. Beaches in Goa are kept up to date no matter how often one visits them. While the Goa beaches are the centre of attraction, more tourism has increased the population. Due to the increase in visitors to Goa, more and more people are living here. The population has increased, and the area is probably not as isolated and quiet as it once was. And as much as it depends on tourism, the performance of sources other than tourism has not been considered recently.

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What places in Goa can one visit?

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