GOA

On the Statehood Day of Goa (30th May), the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state.

Important points:

• Goa is located on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats.
• Konkani which is one of the 22 languages from the Eight Schedule.
• It is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.
• As India gained independence on 15th August, 1947, it requested the Portugese to cede their territories. However, Portuguese refused.
• In 1961, Indian Government launched Operation Vijay and annexed Daman and Diu islands and Goa with the Indian mainland.
• Goa Liberation Day is observed on 19th December every year in India.
• It can be noted that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to come to India (1498) and were also the last to leave this land (1961).
• On 30th May, 1987, the territory was split and Goa was formed. Daman and Diu remained Union Territory.

Geography:

• The highest point of Goa is Sonsogor.
• Goa’s seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona and the Sal.
• Most of Goa’s soil cover is made up of laterites.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT