Panaji

Panaji (/ˈpʌnəi/; Goan Konkani: Ponnjem, IPA: [pɵɳdʒĩ]; also known as Panjim) is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of North Goa district. Previously, it was the territorial capital of the former Portuguese India. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi river estuary in the Tiswadi sub-district (taluka). With a population of 114,759 in the metropolitan area, Panaji is Goa's largest urban agglomeration, ahead of Margao and Mormugao.

Panaji
Panjim
City
Anticlockwise from top:
  1. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição
  2. Typical Portuguese influenced architecture
  3. Statue of Hindu-Christian Unity
  4. Entrance to the Goa Police HQ
Panaji
Location of Panaji in Goa
Panaji
Panaji (India)
Coordinates: 15°29′56″N 73°49′40″E
Country India
StateGoa
DistrictNorth Goa
Sub-districtTiswadi
Elevated to Capital1843
Government
  MayorRohit Monserrate
  Deputy MayorSanjeev Naik
  Member of the Legislative Assembly of GoaAtanasio Monserrate (BJP)
Area
  City8.27 km2 (3.19 sq mi)
  Metro
76.3 km2 (29.5 sq mi)
Elevation
7 m (23 ft)
Population
 (2011)
  City40,017
  Rank3rd in Goa
  Density4,800/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
  Metro
114,759
DemonymPonnjekar
Languages
  OfficialKonkani, English
  Additional/CulturalRomi Konkani, Portuguese
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
403001
Telephone code0832
Vehicle registrationGA-01, GA-07
Websitewww.ccpgoa.com

Panaji 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. Panaji has been selected as one of a hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under the Smart Cities Mission.

The city was built with stepped streets and a seven kilometre long promenade on a planned grid system after the Portuguese relocated the capital from Velha Goa in the 17th century. It was elevated from a town to a city on 22 March 1843.

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