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Goa
Goa Divisions
The state is divided into two districts: North Goa and
South Goa. Panaji is the headquarters of the north Goa
district and Margao of the south district. Each district
is governed by a district collector, an administrator
appointed by the Indian government.
The districts are further divided into eleven talukas –
Talukas of North Goa are Bardez, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda,
Satari and Tiswadi.
The talukas of South Goa are Canacona, Mormugao, Quepem,
Salcete and Sanguem. Headquarters of the respective
talukas are Mapusa, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Valpoi,
Panaji, Chaudi, Vasco, Quepem, Madgaon and Sanguem.
Goa Economy
Goa's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated
at $3 billion in current prices.
Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and
a half times that of the country as a whole, and one of
its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average
1990-2000).
Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it handles 12% of all
foreign tourist arrivals in India. Goa has two main
tourist seasons. Tourism is particularly focussed in the
coastal areas, while its impact is more limited in the
outer parts. In fact, Goa attracts tourists 365 days a
year.
The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores
and mining forms the second largest industry. Mining in
Goa focuses on ores of iron, bauxite, manganese, clays,
limestone and silica. Agriculture, while of shrinking
importance to the economy over the past four decades,
offers part-time employment to a sizable portion of the
populace.
Rice is the main agricultural crop, followed by areca,
cashew and coconut. The fishing industry provides
employment for about forty thousand people, though recent
official figures indicate a decline of the importance of
this sector and also a fall in catch, perhaps coupled with
the fact that traditional fishing has given way to
large-scale mechanised trawling.
Medium scale industries include the manufacturing of
pesticides, fertilisers, tyres, tubes, footwear,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wheat products, steel rolling,
fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles, brewery
products.
Goa is also notable for its low liquor prices due to its
very low excise duty on alcohol. Another source of cash
inflow into the state comes from many of its citizens who
work abroad and remit money to their families. |
