Goa is small enough for quick explorations on a short trip, but big enough to offer visitors people and places to ward off boredom. At its best, Goa can be aptly described as an eclectic mix of influences with a distinctive flavor and feel. In addition to the world-famous beaches of Goa, it also boasts of rich flora and fauna that has made it one of the world's biodiversity hotspots; carnivals and celebrations like the Hindu Ganesha Chaturthi and Diwali, as well as the Christian Christmas and Easter; enchanting architecture, combining Indian and Portuguese styles; and the World Heritage Site of the Bom Jesus Basilica.

Undoubtedly, Goa is one place you will be most hesitant to go away from!

Goa , India is India 's smallest state in terms of area and it is the fourth smallest in regard to population. It is located on the west coast of India in a region known as Konkan. The Arabian Sea embraces its western coast. Goa's demographic is divided into two districts being North and South Goa . Goa 's capital is Panaji, also known as Panjim. It is the headquarters of the northern district. Goa 's largest city is Vasco de Gama, or Gama. Its historic city Margao was established in the 16 th century by the Portuguese and still bears a strong Portuguese influence. Margao provides the headquarters of southern Goa .

Goa is a nature lover's dream. Goa 's wildlife sanctuaries boast over 275 avian species, 60 reptile genera and more than 48 kinds of animals. It is famous for its beaches, temples and world heritage architecture. Thousands of tourists visit Goa every year enjoying its relatively even temperature and gorgeous natural landscape. Goa boasts some of the oldest rocks on the Indian subcontinent and they are estimated to be about 3,600 million years old. Monsoon season begins in early June and provides a welcome relief from the intensive summer heat. The Western Ghats are recognized as being one of the most famous biodiversity regions worldwide.

Tourism is Goa 's primary industry. 12% of all foreign tourist arrivals visit Goa every year. Tourists generally seek the coastal areas of Goa . In 2004, 2 million tourists were recorded as having visited Goa and 400,000 were foreigners. Goa 's public transport primarily consists of privately-operated buses and Government buses. Most Goa natives however rely upon 2-wheeled motorized transport, forgoing city transit altogether. Travelers can access the bus system, taxis and auto rickshaws, a popular means of travel similar to rental cars.

The official language spoken in Goa is Konkani. Marathi and English are generally used for academic purposes. Hindi and Kannada are two other Goa languages. The most popular celebrations in Goa include Easter, Christmas, Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi. Diwali is a major Indian festival celebrated as the Festival of Light by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains worldwide. Lights and lamps symbolize good triumphing over evil within every human being. Ganesh also spelled Ganesha, is a day of celebration when Lord Ganesh is honoured for 10 days in either late August or early September. The diety Lord Ganesh is easy to recognize with his elephant head and magnificent robes.

Architecture in Goa is a unique combination of Portuguese, Indian and Mughal styles. A myriad of color and usage of tile provide a striking appearance in houses and temples. Houses are large with spacious rooms intended to provide refreshing air circulation. The houses also have a separate room for storing photographs and idols of Goan gods.

Football is the most popular sport in Goa . It is home to many football clubs in the National Football League. Goa 's main football stadium is Fatroda and is located in Margao. Cricket is becoming a stronger influence in Goa and Goa now has its own cricket team. For sports and natural lush beauty, going Goa is the way to go!