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Goa is India's smallest state in terms of area and the second smallest in terms of population after Sikkim. It is located on the west coast of India, in the region known as the Konkan, and is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the east and south. The Arabian Sea makes up the state's west coast. Panaji is the state's capital, and Vasco its largest town.

Portuguese merchants first landed in Goa in the 16th century but soon after, colonised it forcibly, persecuting Hindus and converting the majority of the locals to Christianity. However, not all were persecuted into Christianity, many were converted by choice because of missionaries like St. Francis of the Seven Seas, who is still honored by both present day Hindus as well as Christians. The Portuguese colony existed for about 450 years, until it was annexed as part of India in 1961.