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.
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