Panaji

Sister cities

• Lisbon
• Acapulco de Juárez

History

Panaji was made the first neighbourhood of "Nova Goa" (New Goa) capital of Portuguese India, after a devastating epidemic decimated the population of the Cidade de Goa (Old Goa) in the mid-18th century. Panaji was annexed by India with the rest of Goa and the former Portuguese territories after the Indian annexation of Portuguese India in 1961. It became a state-capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in 1987 and 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, now full of casinos, in Alto Porvorim. Panaji is also the administrative headquarters of North Goa district.

Geography

Panaji is located at . It has an average elevation of . Panaji has various vāde or sub-divisions, including: * São Tomé, Fontainhas, Mala, Portais, Altinho, Cortin, Praça da Igreja, Tar, Bazar, Japão, and Boca de Vaca. Some areas outlying it are: * Campal, Santa Inez, Chinchollem, Batulem, Merces, Bambolim, Caranzalem, Santa Cruz, Siridao, Dona Paula, and Platô de Taleigão. Besides lying on the banks of the Mandovi River, Panaji is bound by two creeks called pői by the locals, namely Ourém creek and Santa Inêz creek.