II.

Physical Geography

Goa is situated on the Malabar Coast and has sandy beaches and a tropical climate. Inland, Goa becomes hilly, stretching to part of the Western Ghats. About one third of the state is covered by forest. The principal rivers are the Zuari and the Mandovi. Goa’s climate is generally warm, with average January temperatures ranging from 19° to 29° C (66° to 84° F), and average June temperatures ranging from 25° to 33° C (77° to 91° F). Goa experiences a monsoon season from June to September, which accounts for around 80 per cent of the state's average annual rainfall.