Metro Cities

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Goa is the smallest state of the Indian Union. It was part of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. It became the twenty fifth state in the Indian Union on May 30th 1987 while Daman and Diu remained as union Territory. Situated between Karnataka and Maharashtra, Goa is bounded on the north by the Terekhol river, surrounded on the south and east by Karnataka while on the west is the Arabian sea. Its ancient namewas Gomantaka or Gomanchala. Goa with its long beaches along the Arabian sea is a principal touristresort. Goa has a hilly terrain especially on its eastern side where lies the southern ends of the Sahyadri range. These mountains after skirting a considerable portion of the northern, eastern and southern boundaries branch off westwards across the territory with many spurs and ridges. The most picturesque region is located in the lower basin of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers which join to form a bay. There are about half a dozen islets between the estuaries of these rivers.

Forests

About one fourth of the area of Goa is under forests and the same originates from Archaean rock formations which are very thick. The soil is murum on the slopes. Many commercial tree species thrive in the well-aerated soils at the foothills where the murum is mixed with humus to form a loamy soil, where the growth is often thick and high. In the valleys where perennial natural water springs occur, there are plantations of areca nut. In Goa, forests are confined to the western Ghat foot-hill slopes mainly in the talukas of Sangium, Satari, Canacona and Quepem and to a lesser extent in the talukas of Ponda, Pernem and Bicholim. The coastal talukas of Tiswadi, Bardaz and Salcete had no forests. The entire land is covered with verdant forest, coconut, cashew-nut and mango tree groves, interspersed with extensive paddy fields for cultivation of rice offers a marked and refreshing contract to the arid hinterland. The port of Marmugao situated on the southern side of Zauri river is one of the best natural harbours on the west coast of India and can shelter larger ocean liners. Teak of good quality is one of the products of the forests of Goa which also produce bamboo. Eucalyptus trees and oil are among the other products

Climate

Goa's climate is generally moderate although humidity is high but there are cool months in winter and around October and weather turns good. Goa has a heavy rainfall during the monsoon months.

Rivers

The major west-flowing rivers that crease the territory are Mandovi, Zauri, Tere Khol, Chapora and Betul.  The total navigable length of these rivers, which form the waterways by which Goa's main export commodity iron and manganese ore is transported to the Marmugao harbour, is 253km. The Marmugao harbour is virtually the confluence of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers. The coast is full of creeks and estuaries formed by these rivers which provide a good shelter for the fishing crafts. Estuaries of these rivers are rich in marine fauna.

Courtesy for Pictures
Dr Mohd Tabrez Alam
Anaesthesiologist
Nagaland

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