Panaji, Pangim in Portuguese, usually known as Panjim in English is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of North Goa district. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi River estuary in Tiswadi taluka. With a population of 114,405 in the metropolitan area, Panaji is Goa's largest city, ahead of Margao and Vasco da Gama.
Panaji means "land that never floods". It has terraced hills, concrete buildings with balconies and red-tiled roofs, churches, and a riverside promenade. There are avenues lined with gulmohar, acacia and other trees. The Baroque Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located overlooking the main square known as Praça da Igreja. Colourful villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a Portuguese ambience.
Transport
The nearest airport is Dabolim Airport which is 30 kilometres (19 miles) away.
Geography
Panaji is located at 15°29?56?N 73°49?40?E. It has an average elevation of 7 meters (23 feet). Panaji has various v?de or sub-divisions, some of which are São Tomé, Fontainhas, Mala, Portais, Altinho, Cortin, Praça da Igreja, Tar (near the ferry wharf), B?z?r, Japão (near Don Bosco), and Boca de Vaca. Some areas outlying it are C?mp?l, Santa Inez, Chinchollem, Batulem, and P?tto. Besides lying on the banks of the Mandovi River, Panaji is bounded by two creeks, locally called p?i in the singular, namely Ourém and Santa Inêz.
History
Panaji was annexed by India with the rest of Goa and the former Portuguese territories in the invasion of 1961. Panaji became a state-capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in 1987. Between 1961 and 1987, it was the capital of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. A new Legislative Assembly complex was inaugurated in March 2000, across the Mandovi River, in Alto Porvorim. Panaji is also the administrative headquarters of North Goa district.
