Vasco da Gama, Goa
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Vasco da Gama(Konkani/Marathi : वास्को) (often shortened to Vasco) is a city in Goa state on the west coast of India. It is named after the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Vasco is Goa's largest town with an estimated 2005 population of over 100,000, and is the chief port town of Goa as well as the headquarters of the Mormugão taluka. The city lies on the western tip of the Mormugão peninsula, at the mouth of the Zuari River, about 30 km from Panaji (Panjim), Goa's capital.
The city was founded in 1543, and remained in Portuguese hands until 1961, when Goa was annexed to India. The Indian Navy's Goa Naval Area (base) is located at Vasco from which it controls Dabolim airport and, in effect, the entire tourism-dependent mini-state of Goa.
Vasco city is well connected by road, rail, sea and air. By road by the NH 17A (National Highway) by rail by the South Central Railway, by the Sea through the Mormugoa Harbour and by air by the Dabolim Airport. Thus serving as the main hub for foreign Tourists. Manganese ore mined in interior regions is brought to Marmugoa by barges navigating the rivers Mandovi and Zuari, and then either collected in the Mormugao Port to be loaded onto bulk carrier ships or directly loaded onto the ships using Trans-Shippers. Ore which is collected on the port is handled by state of the art machinery called MOHP (Mechanical Ore Handling Plant) This includes massive bucket wheel loaders and miles upon miles of conveyor belts. The port is run as a trust, hence the name Marmugao Port Trust (MPT) and the trust is governed by a board of directors headed by the chairman. The port has berthing facilities for large cruise liners as well as a floating dry dock, which is owned by a private company called the Western India Shipyard Ltd.
Some of the places of tourist interest are the Pilot Point at Headland Sada, this place offers a magnificent view of the port and the mouth of the Zuari river as well as the Arabian Ocean another place at the Headland is the Japanese Garden, its an absolute must go during your visit to Goa. Baina Beach is just a walk away from the city. Considered as one of the safest beach in Goa. Bogmalo Beach is a mere 7 km from Vasco City and is one of the best that Goa has to offer. It has numerous shacks offering the local cuisine.
The main eateries here that one can visit are the restaurants Lapaz and Anju Celebrity's for the high income and places like Maharaja,Abhiksha for the middle income. During the evening time one can find a lot of roadside peddlars selling out bhel and other items. Temptations,Goodyland and Cafe Coffee Day Express are the well known fastfood joints. "Shivam" is the only cinema screen in the city known to play the popular films.
