Goa was librated on 19th December, 1961 along with Daman & Diu from 451 years Portuguese Colonial Rule, became the 25th stateof the Indian Union when it was conferred Statehood on 30th May, 1987. Goa joined national mainstream only after 14 years of the country's independence. 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.
Goa was the main center of the Portuguese empire in Asia. The Portuguese influence is evident in almost all forms of the Goan way of life, from its cuisine to its dance forms. Culture of Goa is a blend of eastern and western traditions. It is also a land of great variety - with its many churches and temples.
