
Goa which was liberated on 19th December, 1961 alongwhh Daman and
Diu from 451 years Portuguese Colonial Rule, became the 25th State of the
Indian Union when it was conferred Statehood on 30th May, 1987.
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. However, for administrative purposes, the State has been
divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa with headquarters at
Panaji and Margao respectively, and six divisions comprising 11 Talukas.
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. Its rivers, Tiracol,Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal and Talpona,
which are navigable throughout the year, have their origin in the Sahyadri
ranges and flow westward into the Arabian Sea, 60 kms. away, breaking the
long coast line covering a length of 105 kms. into enchanting estuaries and
bays which mark off idyllic palm-fringed beaches like Arambol,
Vagator,Atijuna, Baga and Calangute in the North and Colva. Betui and
Palolem in the South.