January 20th, 2009 The Geography of Goa
A famous vacation destination, Goa is the smallest state in India. An oasis of beaches, the area is renowned for its stunning mix of sand, ocean, sun, and fun. Lots of younger travelers are attracted to the dance clubs in Goa that are famous for trance music and raves. Located on India’s west coast, the area is full of restaurants, clubs, and lots of opportunities for shopping. There are many five star hotels in Goa as well as a variety of other accomodations, including beach resorts and private rentals.
Although famous for its beaches, the geography of Goa has a lot to offer. While Goa’s coastline is 101 kilometers long, the Konkan region is bordered by the Western Ghats mountain range. Goa’s highest point is the Sonsogor, which reaches 2,827 feet. The state is home to a number of rivers that flow towards the ocean. The Zuari river runs into Mormugao harbor, which is considered one of the best natural habours in all of South Asia. Other rivers include the Chapora, the Mandovi, and Terekhol. Goa also has over 130 islands located on the rivers, estuaries, and off its coast.
Goa also enclosed nearly 1500 square kilometers of forests. Most of these are located in the eastern interior sections of Goa. Over 60% of Goan forest lands are offical Protected Areas such as national parks and wildlife sancutaries. The forests produce bamboo canes, bhirand, and both chillar and Maratha barks. The state is also home to a number of rural rice paddies. Coconut trees are another important staple and grown pretty much everywhere in Goa, excepting the highest altitudes.
The rich biodiversity of this tropical region has been compared to that of the Congo basin and the Amazon. The Western Ghats are an international biodiversity hotspot. Goa is home to deciduous vegetation such as sal, cashew trees, teak, and mango trees and produce fruits such as pineapples, jackfruits, and blackberries as well as mangos and coconuts. There are over 1500 documented plant species in the wildlife sanctuaries in Goa. These areas have also recorded over 48 animal species and well over 275 types of birds. Goa’s jungles boast migratory birds, wild boars and fox. Marine life includes lobster, crab, catfish, jellyfish, shrimp, and oysters. The area is also know for its large snake population.
No related posts.