Nearly 2.5 million tourists visited Goa during 2005; one of the reasons why prices of holiday property is increasing in value at between 20% and 30% a year! Travellers are attracted by the wonderful climate, natural beauty, superb cuisine, miles of clean sunny beaches and the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the hospitable Goan people who really know how to relax, and the cheap cost of living.

With one of the highest per-capita incomes in India, the highest doctor to patient and hospital bed to patient ration, the highest road density, a fantastic education system producing a literacy rate of international standard, clean tap water, an extensive telecom network with fibre optic technology, cellular phones, and high speed Internet, Goa is definitely a city with great investment potential.

Property in Goa offers incredible value for money and several experts have tipped it as the next "property hot-spot".

Many international investors are rushing to invest in holiday homes in Goa, and some are even making Goa their permanent home.

The real-estate market in India is booming and is expected to keep growing at a rapid pace. The rise in property prices for years to come is all but certain.  This is because -

-  Indian economy is growing is a rate of 8%+ per year.
-  The rules of foreign investment in Indian real-estate have been relaxed.
-  Despite recent appreciation, Indian property is still underpriced in relation to comparable markets in Asia.
-  Enormous purchasing power of the growing Indian middle class.
-  Increasing prevalence of credit (mortgage loans) to facilitate home-ownership.
-  There are more than 1 billion people in India!

Goa is located on the west coast of India on the shores of the Arabian sea, comprised of more than 3,700 sq. kms of greenery, rainforests, rivers and vast stretches of golden beaches that allure those seeking a magical piece of paradise.

Goa's unique landscape is filled with old-world Portuguese architecture manifested in many a Goan villa, and also in its world famous cathedrals, churches, and stately mansions dotted around rural Goa.

Its warm and sunny weather is matched only by the warmth and friendliness of its people. The clean un-polluted air and easygoing attitude of Goans makes it a much sought after tourist destination, and now, a wonderful place to invest in real-estate.

Goa has a relaxed and easy going feel, and has created a wholly distinctive atmosphere from the rest of India.

Sometimes known as "Rome of the East", "Tourist Paradise" and "Pearl of the Orient", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan.

The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world.

But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul that goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area.

Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became a Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic.

Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions.

All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goan people allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Eid with equal enthusiasm.

The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous.

Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of the Mandovi river and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda are the other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state and inter-state bus network also plays an important role in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa.

The vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures that Goa has an abundance of water. The sea and rivers abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors.

Along with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the state.

Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences the Goans had to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics. Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese cuisine.

Since the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a major destination on the itinerary of international and domestic tourists.

The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months is usually dry and pleasantly cool. Then the weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, wit h greenery sprouting all around.

Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people.

After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.