The State of Goa has a Legislative Assembly with a strength of 40 elected members. Besides, Goa has three elected representatives in the Central Parliament. The Governor is the Head of the State and is advised by a Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister. Panaji, a small picturesque town on the left bank of river Mandovi, is the seat of the State Administration.

Ensconced on the slopes of the Western ghats (Sahyadri ranges) Goa is bounded on the North by Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, on the East by Belgaum, on the South by Karwar district of Kamataka and on the West by Arabian Sea.

Mapusa:
Mapusa (pronounced as Mapsa by the locals) is Goa's third largest town and the capital of the northern Bardez taluka. It is mainly a market town for the surrounding beach areas of Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Baga among others. Even its name is thought to be derived from the Konkani word for a measure - "map" and the phrase fill up - "sa".

It is a fairly small town with mostly modern building spread around the slopes of a small hillock called Altinho. It lies about 13 kms from the capital city of Panaji and on most days there is hardly anything to entice the casual visitor to its environs.

But come Friday morning, the whole town has a lively look when the famous weekly Friday Market begins. The market attracts people from all over Goa who come here to buy and sell their wares. Everything from fresh and dried fish, incense, spices, fruits and vegetables to souvenirs from other states of India is available here.

Local Goan specialities such as spicy sausages (chouriços) and the Goan spirits such as toddi and cashew feni are much in demand amongst locals and outsides. Another item to look out for is the magnificent banana crop from the nearby village of Moira. Most of the items are sold after a few rounds of bargaining and the prices are usually much lower than anywhere else.

Margao has an old-worldly charm about it because of its Portuguese churches, and some magnificent specimens of old Portuguese houses complete with shady balcaos (porches) and oyster-shell windows in its Borda area.

The Largo de Igreja, or the Church of the Holy Spirit as it is also known, dominates the entrance to the city, just north of the Municipal Garden square. The church area is surrounded by beautiful old residential houses still in pristine condition. The church was built by the Portuguese in 1675 and is one of the finest examples of late-Baroque architecture in Goa, boasting a pristine white façade and an interior dripping with gilt crystal and stucco.

Panaji:
It exists even today and is known as the "Pointe de Linhares" and at the time it was constructed, was the longest bridge in existence. Around this time, against the backdrop of the decline of Old Goa, the idea of Panjim becoming the Capital of Goa slowly gained momentum.

On December 1 1759, the then Viceroy, Dom Manuel de Saldanha de Albuquerque, Count of Ega, shifted his residence from Panelim (near Old Goa) to Panjim. He moved to the newly re-modeled Adil Shah Fort, since known as "Idalcao's Palace" . The "Father of Panjim" is a title that is said to belong to the Viceroy, Dom Manuel de Castro de Portugal ( 1826-1835 ).

He began the process of slowly reclaiming land, initiated public projects, drainage systems and was also responsible for many of its government buildings and set the stage for Panjim to evolve into a magnificent city. By a royal decree on March 22, 1843 its status was elevated to a "City" and became the capital of Goa and was called "Nova Goa". The city was electrified in 1931. Over time it has undergone many changes under different administrations.

There are two old sections of the city existing today, one called "Fontainhas" and the other "Sao Tome". The hillock overlooking the city is called "Altinho".

Today, It is not only the state capital, but also an educational, commercial and cultural center of Goa. The Goa Medical College used to be situated here (since moved to Bambolim ) and so does the Goa College of Pharmacy, the Goa College of Art, and the Government Polytechnic. The Dhempe College of Arts and Sciences is situated in nearby Miramar. Some of the important parts of the city are discussed separately in the links below. It boasts of a cultural center-The Kala Academy, and a number of theater complexes.

The Church, Seminary and School atop hillock command a magnificent panorama of the country side around and a fine view of Mormugao Harbour & Zuari river.

The fort had its most glorious moment in 1685, when Old Goa came under attack from King Sambhaji of the Marathas and the Portuguese moved women, children and other non-combatants here for safe keeping. The fort was abandoned soon after, despite plans to make Mormugao the capital of the Portuguese colony of Goa, and today only some remnants of the ramparts can be seen.

At the base of the ruins of Sada fort, there is a small but beautiful beach which can be reached via steps leading down the steep cliffside. The beach remains pretty isolated fro most of the day except for a few locals who venture down for a dip in the sea. There is also a fresh-water spring in the hillside which has a constant flow of water round the year.

The main town of Vasco is well laid out pretty much in a straight line along parallel roads interlinked by small bylanes. There is hardly any landmark worth making a visit to Vasco, except for the 400-year old St. Andrews Church which lies at the entrance to the city. In recent times, the city has been attracting local visitors, to what is easily the best cinema theatre in the whole of Goa.

The port of Mormugao, around one of India's few natural harbours, lies 4 kms from the city centre and the only airport in the state, the Goa Airport at Dabolim, is also about 4 kms from the city.

Colva Beach:
It is about 6 kms from Margao. Colva Beach is the pride of Salcete and the only rival to Calangute by its scenic splendour. Here, sand, sea and sky blend in enchanting natural harmony unsploit by men.

Dona Paula:
An idyllic picturesque spot. Command a fine view of the Zuari river & Mormugao Harbour. Water scootering facilities also available here.

Miramar:
A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji.

Anjuna:
A popular beah area adjacent to Chapora fort. In Anjuna thee is magnificent Albuquerque mansion built in 1920, flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled roof.

Vagator:
It is a popular beach dominated by Chapora Fort to the north, ion its imposing head land. To the south of Vagator is Calangute beach.

Arambol Beach:
Goa Beach, Goa TourismA unique beach in the North Goa, is both rocky and sandy beach and much after for its serenity.

Palolem:
Just west of Chaudi one of the most enchanting beaches in Goa relatively desserted, with backdrop of western ghats, situated in Southern Taluka of Canacona.

Bondla Forest
It is 50 kms., from Panaji and 38 kms. from Margao. It is one of the three wildlife sanctuaries of Goa. More than a sanctuary it is an ideal jungle resort, a major attraction for school going children and nature lovers.

Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary
The second largest of the three wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, with an area of 105 sq. kms.is located at about 60 kms. from Panaji, inCanacona Taluka in South Goa, nearly 3 kms. off the Panaji-Mangalore National Highway No. 17.

Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Goa Wildlife, Goa Tourism Situated along the North-East border of Goa at Molem, about one and half hours journey from Panaji (60 kms.) along Panaji-Belgaum National Highway, the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary covers 240 sq. kms. of thick forest clad slopes of Western Ghats and its valleys and is the biggest of the three sanctuaries of Goa.

The dates of religious festivals are decided according to respective religious calendars. Some festivals like Shigmo and Carnival though have religious origin, but with mass appeal have become the festivals of the whole state and society. Some festivals are celebrated all over Goa, while some take place at particular places.

The Hindu festivals celebrated all over Goa include Makarsankranti, Maha Shivaratri (worship of Lord Shiva), Holi or Shigmo (the Festival of Colours), Gudi Parva ( Hindu New Year), Ramnavami (Birthday of Lord Rama), Nagapanchami, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna), Ganesh Chaturthi (worship of Ganesha, the God of omen), Dussera (the victory celebration of Lord Rama over Ravana, the King of Lanka), Narakasur and Diwali (the Festival of Light).

The major Christian Festivals are the Feast of Three Kings (Quelim, Chandor and Reis Magos), Procession of All Saints ( Goa Velha), Feast of Our Lady of Miracles (Mapusa), Sao Joao (all over Goa), Feast of Assumption of Our Lady (Panaji), Novidades (all over Goa), Fama de Minino Jesus ( Colva), Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Old Goa), Feast of the Lady of Immaculate Conception (Panaji, Margao) and Christmas.

The Muslim festivals include Idul Fitra and Muharam.

Museum of Goa Daman & Diu
The Museum of Goa concentrates on archaeological and archival material. Consequently the sculpture collection displays antiquities from the various Hindu dynasties that once ruled Goa. Also on view are important inscriptions and manuscripts, coins and textiles.

Institute Menezes Braganza
On view at the Institute Menezes Braganza are stone sculpture, bronzes and terracotta artefacts. There are coins, stamps and paintings which include drawings and etchings.