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Situated on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula, the state is separated from Maharashtra by the Terekhol River in the north, Karnataka in the south, the Western Ghats in the east, and the Arabian Sea in the West. The state is located between the latitudes 15°48'00" North to 14°53'54" North and longitudes 74° 20'13" East to 73° 40'33" East.
Goa - Physical Features Goa as a region can be divided into four divisions-the Eastern Hill region comprising areas in the Western Ghats like Sattari, Ponda, Canacona, and Sanguem; the Central Valley Lands comprising Pernem, Bicholim, Ponda, Eastern Sanguem, and Quepem; the Flood Plains comprising the coastal plains and rolling uplands; and the Coastal Plains with areas of Tiswadi, Mormugao, Bardez, and Salcete.
There are several rivers and streams that flow through the state. The major ones are Tiracol, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Talpona, Galgibagh, and Chapora. Some of the famous lakes in the state are Mayem and Carambolim. Most of the rivers are navigable and of immense economic importance as ores are transported through these rivers to the Mormugao port for export.
Goa - Climate
Temperatures in Goa are moderate with not much variation. The summer is at its hottest in May while the winter months of January and February are the coldest. Otherwise, the state experiences tropical weather the rest of the year. Goa receives rainfall from the Southwest monsoon between the months of June and September. July receives the highest rainfall while February is the driest month.
Goa - Flora and Fauna
About a third of Goa's total land area is still covered by forests. When the first wildlife reserves were established in Goa, there were hardly any animals in them. The Bhagwan Mahavir National Park near Molem is the largest of Goa's wildlife reserves. Spread over an area of 107 sq km, the park has a sizable population of leopard, chital and sloth bear along with several species of birds. Where there are no forests, much of the landscape is covered with plantations. Coconut, cashew and jackfruit grow in abundance and Goa's market places are full of them.
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