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10th
International Symposium on Maritime Health
Goa,
India - September 23-26, 2009
About Goa
Known
as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise",
the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in
the coastal belt known as Konkan.
The
magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of
its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite
with travellers around the world.
But
then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul
which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of
the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer.
Much
of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings
and in the hinterland away from the coastal area.
Legends
from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of
Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa.
Over
the centuries various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas,
Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously
the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa.
Goa
was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation
on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with
the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred
statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic.
Having
been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East
and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive
lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and
Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with
minority representation of Muslims and other religions.
All
the communities have mutual respect towards one another and
their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition
of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans
allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various
religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter
and Id with equal enthusiasm.
The
state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of
Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian
Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa
is justly famous.
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| Terekhol
(Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are
the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state
forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance
to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main
export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao
Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form
estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed
coastline behind which lie the fishing villages among
the coconut groves.
Panaji
(Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of
the Mandovi river and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda
are the other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national
airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state
and inter-state bus network also plays an important role
in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa.
The
vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures
that Goa has an abundance of water. The sea and rivers
abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs
and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and
the visitors.
Along
with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani
and Marathi are the state languages. The national language
Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the
state.
Goan
cuisine is a blend of different influences the Goans had
to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa
is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics.
Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan food is not strongly
influenced by the Portuguese cuisine.
Since
the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been
a major destination on the itinerary of international
and domestic tourists.
The
tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries
on through early March. The weather in these months is
usually dry and pleasantly cool.
Then
the weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June,
Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with
sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it
is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its
most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around.
Besides
the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine,
travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and
friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than
anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people
really know how to relax.
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