Goa (island)

Island of Goa Ilha de Goa
Island
Island of Goa
Coordinates: 15°28′10.0″N 73°52′46″E
Country	India
State	Goa
District	North Goa
Sub District	Ilhas
First expedition to India	early 1500s
Elevation	8 m (26 ft)
Population
• Total	approx. 30,000s
Demonym(s)	Goencar, Ilhacar
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Postcode	403005
Area code	08343

Ilha de Goa, also called Tiswadi, is the largest of the islands of Ilhas de Goa, in the basin of the Zuari and Mandovi Rivers in Goa. This island is the largest and the most populous island in the state of Goa. The present capital - Panjim as well the former capital - The City of Goa, both lie on the island. It is one of 6 major islands between the Mandovi and Zuari, the others being:

• Chorão,
• Divar,
• Cumbarjua,
• St Estevam,
• Vanxim and
• Several other small mangrove islands and sand banks.

Maps

The evidence of the existence of the island of Goa can be seen on historic maps.

A historic map of the island of Goa, with an emphasis on the capital city

Another historic map of the island of Goa, with an emphasis on the capital city

Water Bodies

The island of Goa lies within the water bodies of:

• Mandovi River to the north.
• Cumbarjua Canal to the east.
• Zuari River to the south.
• Arabian Sea to the west.

Bridges

There are a number of bridges built over the last hundred years, linking the island to other parts of the mainland.

Northern Bridges

These bridges are built over the Mandovi River. They pass through the villages of Penha de França and the city of Panjim:

• 2 Mandovi Bridges: Connects Goa to Bardes.
• Atal Bridge: Connects Goa to Bardes, but avoids the busy roads of Panjim entirely.

Eastern Bridges

These bridges are built over the Cumbarjua Canal.

• Gandaulim Bridge: Connects Gandaulim in Goa to Cumbarjua.
• Banastarim Bridge: Connects Corlim in Goa to Banastarim.

Southern Bridges

These bridges are built over the Zuari River. They pass through the villages of Agaçaim and Cortalim.

• Zuari Bridge: Connects Goa to Mormugão.
• A new Bridge is being constructed (similar in scale to the Atal Bridge) over the Zuari River.

Internal Bridges

These bridges are a link to places within the island, which are geographically close, but are separated by a body of water.

• Ponte Conde de Linhares: This links Panjim to Ribandar, and is the oldest and most famous of all the internal bridges.

Ferries

Prior to the construction of the bridges, the primary commute to and from the island was done via ferry. Some have become redundant, but most are still in use, they include:

• Panjim to Betim.
• Ribandar to Chorao.
• Ribandar to Divar.
• Old Goa to Divar.
• Daugim to Tolto in St Estevam.
• Gandaulim to Cumbarjua.
• Agaçaim to Cortalim.