It provides spectacular views of the bottle green hills forested with jackfruit, mango and cashew groves, cut through by the river and surrounded by miles of
sun-drenched coastline. Hot climate and indolent people preserved soft ambience of this indisputable kaleidoscope. While the rest of the country has progressed
towards independence in the 20th century, Goa remained a Portuguese colony for 4 1 \ 2 centuries. The Portuguese rule has left its mark everywhere. Stop at the
small bar for a drink Feni - a drink made locally brood of cashew or coconut, listen to the sounds of a mando (love song) and strains of a guitar mixing with the
sensually lapping waves, or the warm golden sands of solitary coasts, idyllic. There is a Mediterranean atmosphere in the original towns with their red-tiled roofs
and narrow streets and charming fishing villages surrounded by coconut groves.
In Goa, the Latin influence is combined with Indian color to produce an enchanting hybrid. The traditions of Goa language, religion, dances remained firmly
entrenched despite the end of Portuguese rule in 1961. Goans may be Indian, but they are first Goan.
Goa is one of the 30 states of the Republic of India. It is located on the west coast of India, being limited to the north by Maharashtra, to the south and
east by Karnataka and to the west by the Arabian Sea. It is the smallest Indian state in terms of area and the fourth lowest in terms of population. With the arrival of the
Portuguese at the beginning of the century, XVI Goa becomes an overseas territory of Portugal , status that would keep for about 450 years to be taken militarily by the
Indian Union in 1961. The Portuguese presence was a historical legacy that includes religious architecture recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. Panjim is the capital and
Vasco da Gama's largest city. Goa was coveted for being the best commercial port of the region. It is influenced by Portuguese presence for over four hundred years.