Goa: State Profile Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Statehood Establishment | May 30, 1987. (It was liberated from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961, and remained a Union Territory until 1987). |
| Borders | North: Terekhol River and Maharashtra state. East & South: Karnataka state. West: Arabian Sea. |
| Population | Approximately 1.82 million (As per sources, varies slightly based on estimation year). |
| Official Language | Konkani (in Devanagari script). |
| Co-Official Language | Marathi has a special status and is widely used in official communication. |
| Other Major Languages | English, Hindi, Portuguese (spoken by an older generation), Kannada, Urdu. |
Religious Demographics (Approximate Figures)
Goa is famous for its religious tolerance and harmonious blend of cultures. The major religions are:
* Hinduism: Around 60% of the population (the majority religion).
* Christianity (Roman Catholicism): Around 30% of the population.
* Islam: Around 10% of the population.
Chief Ministers of Goa (Since Statehood - May 1987)
The political history of Goa is marked by frequent changes in leadership, leading to many short tenures. Below is a list of Chief Ministers from the date of statehood (May 30, 1987) onwards, with their approximate start and end dates.
| No. | Name | Party | Term Start Date | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pratapsingh Rane | INC | 30 May 1987 | 9 Jan 1990 |
| 2 | Churchill Alemao | PDF | 27 Mar 1990 | 14 Apr 1990 |
| 3 | Luis Proto Barbosa | PDF | 14 Apr 1990 | 14 Dec 1990 |
| – | President's Rule | N/A | 14 Dec 1990 | 25 Jan 1991 |
| 4 | Ravi Naik | INC | 25 Jan 1991 | 18 May 1993 |
| 5 | Wilfred de Souza | INC | 18 May 1993 | 2 Apr 1994 |
| 6 | Ravi Naik | INC | 2 Apr 1994 | 8 Apr 1994 |
| 7 | Wilfred de Souza | INC | 8 Apr 1994 | 16 Dec 1994 |
| 8 | Pratapsingh Rane | INC | 16 Dec 1994 | 29 Jul 1998 |
| 9 | Wilfred de Souza | GRC | 29 Jul 1998 | 26 Nov 1998 |
| 10 | Luizinho Faleiro | INC | 26 Nov 1998 | 10 Feb 1999 |
| – | President's Rule | N/A | 10 Feb 1999 | 9 Jun 1999 |
| 11 | Luizinho Faleiro | INC | 9 Jun 1999 | 24 Nov 1999 |
| 12 | Francisco Sardinha | GPC | 24 Nov 1999 | 24 Oct 2000 |
| 13 | Manohar Parrikar | BJP | 24 Oct 2000 | 3 Feb 2005 |
| 14 | Pratapsingh Rane | INC | 3 Feb 2005 | 4 Mar 2005 |
| – | President's Rule | N/A | 4 Mar 2005 | 7 Jun 2005 |
| 15 | Pratapsingh Rane | INC | 7 Jun 2005 | 8 Jun 2007 |
| 16 | Digambar Kamat | INC | 8 Jun 2007 | 9 Mar 2012 |
| 17 | Manohar Parrikar | BJP | 9 Mar 2012 | 8 Nov 2014 |
| 18 | Laxmikant Parsekar | BJP | 8 Nov 2014 | 14 Mar 2017 |
| 19 | Manohar Parrikar | BJP | 14 Mar 2017 | 17 Mar 2019 |
| 20 | Pramod Sawant | BJP | 19 Mar 2019 | Present |
(Note: This list includes only those who became CM after Goa attained statehood in 1987. The dates reflect the transition of power and may vary slightly based on the source.)
President's Rule in Goa
President's Rule (imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution of India) has been imposed in Goa 3 times since it became a state in 1987:
* December 14, 1990, to January 25, 1991 (42 days)
* February 10, 1999, to June 9, 1999 (114 days)
* March 4, 2005, to June 7, 2005 (95 days)
Famous Places & Products
Goa is renowned both globally and nationally for its unique blend of culture, history, and nature.
Famous Places (Focusing on different categories)
| Category | Famous Places |
|---|---|
| Beaches | Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Anjuna Beach (famous for its Flea Market), Palolem Beach. |
| Historical/Architectural | Basilica of Bom Jesus (A UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier), Sé Cathedral, Fort Aguada (a 17th-century Portuguese fort). |
| Nature/Waterfalls | Dudhsagar Waterfalls (one of India's tallest waterfalls, meaning "Sea of Milk"), Mollem National Park. |
| Cultural/Heritage | Fontainhas (Latin Quarter in Panaji, known for its colourful Portuguese architecture), Chapora Fort (popularized by the film Dil Chahta Hai). |
| Temples | Shri Mangeshi Temple, Shri Shanta Durga Temple. |
Famous Products & Industries (Worldwide/India)
| Product/Industry | Description & Significance |
|---|---|
| Cashew Nuts & Feni | Goa is famous for its high-quality cashew nuts (plain and flavored). Feni is a locally distilled spirit made from either cashew fruit or coconut sap, which has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. |
| Goan Spices | Products like Kokum, various chili blends, and whole spices are grown in its tropical climate and are essential to Goan cuisine. |
| Mining (Iron Ore) | Historically a major industry, though its prominence has fluctuated due to regulatory and environmental concerns. |
| Tourism | The Tourism Industry itself is Goa's most significant and globally famous economic product, attracting both international and domestic travelers for its beaches, nightlife, and cultural heritage. |
| Arts & Crafts | Unique Goan pottery, shell crafts, and traditional lacework.
