Goa Quick Facts

What does Goa quick facts include?

The quick facts about Goa include mainly the detailed information about almost every unique features and characteristics of the state, which one can refer to in order to acquire knowledge about the state.

What is the geographical location of Goa?

The state of Goa is geographically located in between the 14° 53' 54″ N and 15° 40' 00″ N latitudes and 73° 40' 33″ E and 74° 20' 13″ E longitudes.

Which country does this state belong to?

Goa, with its location along the coastal area of the Arabian Sea, is a part of the peninsular country of India.

Which are the neighboring states of Goa?

Goa is surrounded by Maharashtra towards its north and the state of Karnataka towards its south and east. The western side is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

When was the Goa state established?

The western state of Goa was established on 30th May, 1987, when it gained its independent statehood post being curbed out from the earlier Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.

Which is the capital of Goa?

The official name for the capital of Goa is Panaji, though in Konkani it is often pronounced as 'Ponnji'. The Portuguese name for it was 'Pongim', from which originated the other name by which it is known - Panjim. The name Panjim is used mostly by English speaking people. The capital of Goa lies on the banks of the Mandovi estuary, in the district of North Goa. Panaji means 'the land that does not flood'. Panaji, the capital of Goa, is built around a church facing a prominent square. Panaji has some beautiful Portuguese Baroque style buildings. The riverside too offers a fine view.

Panaji has a population of around 65,000. Panaji is Goa's third largest city after Vasco and Madgaon. The capital of Goa, Panaji, was earlier a small village on the riverfront. In 1843 the city was renamed Nova Goa (Portuguese for 'New Goa') when it officially replaced the city of Goa - which is now Old Goa - as the administrative seat of Portuguese India. The viceroy, though, had already moved to Panaji in 1759. Panaji became a state capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in May 1987.

The capital of Goa was once little more than a minor landing stage and customs house - protected by a hilltop fort, and surrounded by stagnant swampland. In 1843 it became the capital after the port at Old Goa had silted up, and its rulers and impoverished inhabitants had fled the plague.

Which is the largest city of Goa?

Vasco da Gama in South Goa is the biggest city of Goa.

Which are the other major cities of Goa?

• Margao
• Mapusa
• Mormugao
• Ponda

What is the time zone followed in Goa?

Goa, being a part of the country of India follows the Indian Stand Time, The time zone followed in the state is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) + 05:30 hours.

What is the total covering area of Goa?

The Indian state of Goa covers a total area of around 3, 702 sq. km. or 1, 429.4 sq. mi. This state, being one of the smallest states of India, occupies 28th rank among the other states of the country in terms of total covering area.

What is the total population of Goa?

The population of Goa is around 1,169,793 according to the 1991 census of India (1.2 million). The density of population is 316 per sq km. Most of Goa's population is rural (59%).

A significant population is however urban (41%). Hindus account for a little more than 64.68 % of the total population, Christians (Roman Catholics) nearly 29.86 % and Muslims 5.25 % of the population.

The remaining 1.21 % comprise of other religions including Buddhism, Jainism, Sikh etc. The scheduled castes amount to 2 per cent of the population. There are no scheduled tribes in Goa.

The 2001 census of India, however, holds it at 1.4 million. Goa enjoys a literacy rate of 76 % as against the all India literacy rate of 52.2%.

Area And Population of Goa is given below:

S.No	Category	Reference period	North Goa	South Goa	Total
1.	Area (Sq. Kms.)	2001	1736.0	1966.0	3702.0
2.	Total Population	2001(P)	7,57,407	5,86,591	13,43,998
3.	Density per sq. km.	2001(P)	436	298	363
4.	Male population	2001(P)	3,88,116	2,97,501	6,85,617
5.	Female population	2001(P)	3,69,291	2,89,090	6,58,381
6.	Rural population	2001(P)	4,17,174	2,57,955	6,75,129
7.	Urban Population	2001(P)	3,40,233	3,28,636	6,68,869
8.	Number of main workers	2001(P)	2,424,72	1,83,230	4,25,702
9	Main workers participation rate to total population (%)	2001(P)	32.01	31.23	31.67
a)	Male participation rate (%)	2001(P)	48.10	47.61	47.89
b)	Female participation rate (%)	2001(P)	15.10	14.38	14.78
10.	Birth rate (per 1,000)	2001	16.27	15.54	15.95
11.	Death rate (per 1,000)	2001	8.46	6.18	7.46
12	Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)	2001	19.56	2.73	12.40

What is the literacy rate of the Goa state?

Goa stands at 3rd position with the state’s literacy rate of 87 %.

What is the official language of Goa?

Portuguese was the official language until Goa was liberated from the Portugal regime in 1961.

In fact, the older generations can still speak Portuguese.

However, post-liberation, the official Language of Goa is Konkani - which is written in the Devnagri script.

Marathi too is used for official purposes. Marathi is widely taught in schools too. However, Goa being a tourist hub, almost everyone in Goa can speak in English and Hindi.

So, the total number of languages spoken in Goa is English, Portuguese, Konkani, Hindi and Marathi.

The other main languages spoken in the state are Kannada, Gujrati and Urdu.

How many districts are there in Goa?

The entire state of Goa is divided into 2 districts, which are as follows:

• North Goa
• South Goa

Which is the highest point in Goa?

The highest point of Goa is Sonsogor located at an altitude of 3, 827 feet or 1, 167 meters.

Which are the rivers flowing through the state?

The main rivers flowing through Goa are Chapora, Mandovi, Terekhol, Zuari and Sal. Apart from being some of India’s busiest rivers, the rivers Mandovi and Zuari along with the tributaries form the state’s lifeline by serving almost 69 % of the total area of Goa.

What is the type of climate in Goa?

Proximity to the Arabian Sea and its location in the tropical zone makes the state of Goa experience the tropical monsoon type of climate. The humid and hot climatic condition of Goa is mainly divided into three distinctive seasons, which are mentioned below:

• Summer: Mid-March to June (25° C to 45° C)
• Monsoon: July to September (26 inches on an average)
• Winter: Mid-December to February (3° C to 11° C)

How many parliamentary constituencies are there is Goa?

Goa has got 2 parliamentary constituencies.

What is the type of Legislature in Goa?

The type of Goa’s Legislature is unicameral with a capacity of 40 seats.

Which are the main religions of Goa?

Though Hinduism and Christianity cover most of the population of Goa, however other religions like Muslims and Sikhs even contributes to the religion of Goa. The percentage of different religions prevalent in the state is given below:

• Other religions including Sikhs: 2 %
• Muslims: 3 %
• Christianity: 30 %
• Hinduism: 65 %

Which is the nearest airport to Goa?

Dabolim Airport, the sole airport of Goa is the nearest airport to the state. This civilian cum military airport connects the place to both national as well as international destinations. Goa being a Tourist destination, Flights to Goa are frequent. The airport is owned by the Indian Navy and is 30 kms away from Panaji. Flights to Goa from all major Cities of India are available as per traveller's convenience on different timings. Goa Is well connected to all the corners of India and here we mention the Goa Flight Details.

A schedule of Flights to Goa is given below:

ARRIVALS

From Mumbai
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 163	1440hrs	1540hrs	Daily
IC 597	1600hrs	1700hrs	Mon, Wed, Fri

Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 479	0630hrs	0730hrs	Except Sun
9W 458	1200hrs	1300hrs	Daily
9W 471	1230hrs	1330hrs	Daily
9W 473	1445hrs	1545hrs	Daily

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-219	1205hrs	1305hrs	Daily

Air Deccan

DN 317	0525hrs	0650hrs	Daily
DN 307	1345hrs	1515hrs	Daily

Spice Jet

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
OS 259	1615hrs	1715hrs	Daily

Kingfisher Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IT 306	1210hrs	1310hrs	Daily
IT 310	1450hrs	1550hrs	Daily

From New Delhi
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 865	1200hrs	1540hrs	Daily

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-202/219	0935hrs	1305hrs	Daily

Spice Jet

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
OS 255	1120hrs	1345hrs	Daily

From Bangalore
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 917 (via Pune)	1110hrs	1405hrs	Daily

Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 3525	1300hrs	1430hrs	Daily

Air Deccan

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
DN 305	1410hrs	1540hrs	Daily

From Chennai
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 575	1255hrs	1555hrs	Mon, Fri

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-6242/219	0940hrs	1305hrs	Daily

From Kochi
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 575	1445hrs	1555hrs	Mon, Fri

From Ahmedabad
Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 473	1230hrs	1515hrs	Daily

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2 130 / 6041	1020hrs	1455hrs	Daily

From Hyderabad
Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-6041	1340hrs	1455hrs	Daily

Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 458	1000hrs	1300hrs	Daily

From Kozhikode
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 598	0645hrs	0750hrs	Tue, Thu, Sat

From Kuwait
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 576	2220hrs	0525hrs	Wed, Fri, Sun

DEPARTURES

To Mumbai
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 598	0830hrs	0930hrs	Tue, Thur, Sat
IC 164	1425hrs	1525hrs	Daily
IC 664	1620hrs	1720hrs	Daily

Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 480	0810hrs	0910hrs	Except Sun
9W 459	1345hrs	1445hrs	Daily
9W 472	1405hrs	1505hrs	Daily
9W 474	1615hrs	1715hrs	Daily

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-220	1335hrs	1435hrs	Daily

Air Deccan

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
DN 318	0710hrs	0835hrs	Daily
DN 308	1545hrs	1715hrs	Daily

Spice Jet

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
OS 258	1430hrs	1530hrs	Daily

Kingfisher Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IT 313	1630hrs	1730hrs	Daily
IT 309	1340hrs	1440hrs	Daily

To New Delhi
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 866	0715hrs	1055hrs	Daily

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-220/205	1335hrs	1730hrs	Daily

Spice Jet

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
OS 256	1750hrs	2015hrs	Daily

To Bangalore
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 917	1445hrs	1540hrs	Daily

Air Deccan

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
DN 306	1610hrs	1740hrs	Daily

Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 3516	1500hrs	1630hrs	Daily

To Chennai
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 576	0820hrs	1135hrs	Tue, Sat

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2-220/6243	1335hrs	2055hrs	Daily

To Kozhikode
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 597	1750hrs	1855hrs	Mon, Wed, Fri

To Kochi
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 576	0820hrs	0930hrs	Tue, Sat

To Hyderabad
Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2 6042	1525hrs	1635hrs	Daily

Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 474	1615hrs	1930hrs	Daily

To Ahmedabad
Jet Airways

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
9W 480	0810hrs	1055hrs	Except Sun

Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2- 118/ 129	1455hrs	0925hrs	Daily

To Kolkota
Air Sahara

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
S2 - 220 / 306	1335hrs	2245hrs	Daily

To Kuwait
Indian Airlines

Flight No.	Departure	Arrival	Days of operation
IC 575	1635hrs	1830hrs	Mon, Fri

Schedules of these flights to Goa are subject to change without notice. Please confirm at the time of booking with the Airline office or your travel agent.

Airline Offices:

• Which is the nearest railway station to Goa?

  
  
• Madgaon Railway Station in Panaji is regarded as the nearest railway station to Panaji and Goa.
  
  

• Which is the nearest bus terminal to Goa?

  
  
• Mapusa bus terminal is the nearest bus stand to the state.
  
  

• Which is the main port of Goa?

  
  
• The main port of Goa is Mormugao Port.
  
  

• What is the Standard Trunk Dialing (STD) code of Goa?

  
  
• The STD code of Goa is 0832.

What are the main agricultural crops of Goa?

Besides cashew, which is the principle crop of Goa, the other agricultural crops of the state are:

• Arecanut
• Banana
• Brinjal
• Cashewnut
• Coconut
• Cucumber
• Gourd
• Jackfruit
• Mango
• Paddy
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Radish

What is Goa famous for?

The state of Goa is known for its exotic sun-kissed sea beaches, adventure sports, beach carnivals as well as Portugese churches. These unique features of the place attract tourists from all over the world.

Why is Statehood Day celebrated in Goa?

Statehood Day is celebrated in Goa to commemorate the occasion when Goa gained statehood on August 12th, 1987; thus becoming India's 25th state. Statehood Day is officially celebrated on May 30 every year. The Statehood Day is a State holiday to celebrate Goa becoming the 25th state of the Indian Union. Goa was liberated 14 years after the Indian Independence and attained its Statehood 40 years after it became a part of mainstream India.The Shatehood Day also marks a momentous occasion of wish-fulfillment - an occasion when the long cherished dream of Goa becoming a State became a reality. Emerging from the mists of hoary antiquity, the fabled land of Lord Parshurama, after a history marked by war, conquests and alien domination, finally had its own glorious tryst with destiny on this red-letter day.

When is Liberation Day in Goa celebrated?

The Liberation Day in Goa is celebrated on December 19. It commemorates the day when the Indian Government seized power from the Portuguese colonizers in1961. The Portuguese were the first European power to arrive in India and the last to depart. They set foot in Goa in 1510 and left on 19 December 1961 - when they were driven away. In 1926, when Portugal came under grip of dictatorship, life of the common people became impossible to bear. So, the people of Goa began to rebel against their conquerors. Finally, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, the great Indian socialist leader, launched a movement for civil liberties at a public meeting in Margao, on 18 June 1946. this meeting set in motion a mass movement for freedom from the Portuguese rule.

The Government of India, with the help of peaceful negotiations with Portugal made attempts to solve the problem of Goa between 1947 and 1955. But all these attempts proved futile. From 1955 to 1961, the Goans and the Indian political parties organised public meetings and adopted resolutions condemning Portuguese rule. in this way the terrible conditions prevailing in Goa were made public. On 18-19 December 1961, the Government of India adopted a plan called Operation Vijay to liberate the Portuguese colonies in India.

Finally, all operations in Goa came to an end at 6:00 p.m., on 19 December 1961. The final formal surrender was received from the Portuguese Governor General, Vassalo De Silva. The documents of surrender were signed at 7:30 p.m. and Major General K.P. Candeth was appointed as the Military Governor of Goa. Thus within 40 hours of the start of the military operations, the last foreign holding in India was brought to an end.

This is how the Liberation Day in Goa came into being. From then on the Liberation Day in Goa is celebrated every year on the 17th of December in celebration of their well-earned liberty.

What is the Pin Code in Goa?

Air India	(Off) 2224081, 2225172, 2431101-3 (Airport) 2541445 / 2541115
Indian Airlines	(Off) 2428787, 2426363, 2428282 (Airport) 2540788
Jet Airways	(Off) 2438792 (Airport) 2542026 / 27
Sahara Airlines	(Off) 2237346, 2230634, 2237346 (Airport) 2540020, 2541211
Gujarat Airways	(Off) 2230237, 22230634
Indian Airlines	242 6363 or 242 8282
Air Deccan	243 8950/1/2 or 080 3900 8888
SpiceJet	1600 180 3333 or 09871 803 333
Kingfisher Airlines	1600 1800 0101

A Air Port Danbolim 413801 Arambol 403524 Aldona 403508 Althino 403001 Arpora 403518 Anjuna 403509 Assonora 403503 Arocim 403710 Assolna 403701 Aquem 403601 Atorda 403602 B Baina 403802 Betim 403101 Bambolim 403201 Betora 403401 Bambolin Complex 403201 Betora Ind Estate 403409 Bamdevpur 403202 Betul 403603 Bazar Panaji 403001 Biccavolu 403504 Bazar Ponda 403401 Bicholim Ind Estate 403529 Benaulim 403716 Bogmalo 403806	C Calangute 403516 Chorao 403102 Canacona 403702 Collem 403410 Cansaulim 403712 Colva 403708 Caranzalem 403002 Colvale 403513 Carmona 403717 Commecial Complex Carona 403523 Corlim Industrial Estate 403110 Candolim 403515 Cuchorim 403706 Cavalasim 403721 Cumbhar Zoo 403107 Chandor 403714 Cuncolim 403703 Chicalim 403711 Courtorim 403709 Chinchinim 403715 D Dabolim Airport Terminal 413801 Dramapur 403725 F Fountainhas 403001
G Goa Velha 403108 L Loliem 403728 Loutulim 403718 M Majorda 403713 Marcela 403107 Mandrel 403527 Mardol 403404 Mapusa (Mapuca) 403507 MARGAON HO 403601 Mapusa Industrial Area 403507 Mormugaon 403803 N N I O Donapaula 403004 Navelim Camp 403729 Naval Base Verem 403114 Neura 403104 Navelim 403707 Nuvem 403604	S St. Louranco 403204 Secretariat 403001 Sada 403804 Sem Rachol 403719 Saligao 403511 Shridhan 403108 Sanguem 403704 Sinquerim 403519 Santa Estevam 403106 Siolim 403517 Santacruz 403005 Siredao 403111 Santainez 403001 Siroda 403103 Sanuelim 403505 St. Estevam 403106 Sanvoedem 403727 St. Jose de Areal 403709 T Tivim Industrial Estate 403526 Tivim 403502 Tisea 403406
O Orlim (Goa) 403724 P Pale 403105 Piedade 403403 Panaji HO 403001 Pilar 403203 Parra 403510 Ponda 403401 Pernem 403512 Porvorim 403501 Q Quepem 403705 R Raibandar 403006 Raia 403720 Reis Margos 403114	U Usgaon 403407 V Vaddem 403802 Velhegave (Velhegao) 403402 Valpoi 403506 Velim 403723 Varca 403721 Verna 403722 Vassia Dabhla 403802 Vagator 403509 Vasco-da-Gama 403802 Z Zuari Nagar (Margaon) 403726

Which are the famous festivals of Goa?

Besides the national religious festivals, some of the famous vibrant festivals of Goa are:

• Bonderam Festival
• Feast of St. Francis Xavier
• Feast of Three Kings
• Shigmo Festival

Last Updated on: September 12, 2014