Goa, Coastal state in southwestern India
Goa lies along the Arabian Sea coast with sandy beaches, river estuaries, and wooded plateaus that climb toward the Western Ghats mountain range. The entire area is shaped by rivers flowing west through low hills and rice paddies before emptying into the ocean.
The Portuguese crown seized this coastline in the early 16th century and held it for over four and a half centuries while British colonial power spread all around. India annexed the territory in 1961, and it received statehood in 1987.
More than a hundred churches dot the landscape, showing how deeply Roman Catholicism shaped local life under Portuguese rule, with many village congregations still maintaining regular services and community gatherings. Families carry Portuguese surnames and architectural traditions, while markets overflow with fresh fish, coconut, and chili that form the foundation of everyday cooking.
The northern part draws travelers looking for busier beaches and nightlife, while the south offers quieter coves and smaller fishing settlements. An international airport and the Konkan Railway line connect the area with other parts of India.
Cashew processing is widespread, with families roasting and selling kernels while distilleries turn cashew apples or coconut palm sap into feni, a spirit produced nowhere else in India. Small operations follow traditional fermentation and distillation methods passed down through generations.
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