Goa Velha
| Goa Velha | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | 15°26′33″N 73°52′58″E / 15.442512°N 73.882885°ECoordinates: 15°26′33″N 73°52′58″E / 15.442512°N 73.882885°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Goa |
| District(s) | North Goa |
| Population | 5,411 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 0 metres (0 ft) |
Goa Velha (Konkani: Vhoddlem Gõi/ व्हडलें गोंय) is a census town in North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. It should not be confused with the World Heritage Site Velha Goa (English: Old Goa). St. Andrew's church is its parish church. It is well known for its yearly 'procession of saints' (Konkani: Santanchem Pursanv)
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[edit] History
The town of Goa Velha stands on the site of the ancient port of "Govapuri" or "Gokapattana", which was founded by the Kadamba dynasty in the 11th century on the banks of the Zuari. Govapuri was one of the main ports first of Kadamba kingdom, and subsequently of the Vijayanagara Empire. In the 15th century, a number of wars were fought between the Deccan sultanates and Vijayanagar for control of the Goa region, as a result of which Govapuri came under the control of the Adilshahs of Bijapur. Govapuri was devastated by the wars. In addition, the Zuari had begun to recede from the port as a result of silting. As a result, the new Adilshahi rulers built a new port city for Goa some distance to the north, on the banks of the Mandovi. The Portuguese eventually made the new city the capital of Portuguese India, and called the old port of Govapuri "Goa Velha" (Portuguese for "Goa the Old"). Goa Velha continued to exist as a small town under Portuguese rule, and in 1961 was incorporated into India along with the rest of Goa.
[edit] Geography
Goa Velha is located at 15°26′N 73°52′E / 15.43°N 73.87°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Goa Velha had a population of 5411. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Goa Velha has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 71%. In Goa Velha, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Sources
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Goa Velha
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
