Vasco Da Gama

A small city on the west coast of the Indian state of Goa. Named after the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, Vasco has Goa’s largest population. Lying on the western tip of the Mormugao peninsula, is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Panaji (Panjim), Goa's capital, and about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the Dabolim Airport (GOI).

This place was founded in 1543, and remained under Portuguese control until 1961, when Goa was annexed to India. Vasco city is well connected by road, rail, sea and air; by road by the NH 17A (National Highway), by rail by the South Western Railway, by the sea through the Mormugao Harbour and by air through Dabolim Airport, thus serving as the main hub for most tourists visiting the state of Goa.

Bogmalo Beach is 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Vasco. Apart from the nearby beaches, the city of Vasco has major tourist attractions, the salient monument being the 400-year old St. Andrews Church located at the entrance of the city. Another popular tourist spot is Naval Aviation Museum nearby the city center and is the only such museum in India. It profiles the evolution and history of Indian naval aviation through aircraft exhibits and rare photographs.

Vasco is also famous for the annual Shri Damodar Bhajani Saptah fair held in the week preceding the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan. Like all towns and cities in Goa, Vasco also celebrates the Carnival and Shigmo annually with a street parade where floats from all over Goa participate.