Goa is the smallest state in India and covers an area of fourteen hundred square miles with a population of over one and a third million residents. Its located on India’s west coast in the Konkan Region and is flanked by Maharashtra to its north, and the state of Karnataka to its east. Its western coast is bordered by the Arabian Sea. Goa is highly prized for its beautiful beaches, religious sites and World Heritage Sites.

Goa is a state that can trace its history back to the third century BC, when it formed part of the Maurya Empire. It then become a part of the Satavahana Dynasty, and by the sixth century had become a part of the Chalukya Empire. Over the centuries, it would change hands again and again until it became a part of the Kadambas Empire. The Kadambas Empire would retain control of the region until the fourteenth century when it was conquered by the Bahmani Sultanate. But, the Bahmani Sultanate would only hold on to the area for twenty years, then it was conquered by the Vijayanagar Empire. The Vijayanagar Empire fared better than the Bahmani Sultanate and managed to hold on to the area for a century. It was during this time that Goa became an important landing spot for horses on their way to the Vijaynagar army. But, the area was one again reconquered in 1469 by the Bahmani Sultans of Gulbarga Dynasty. When the Bahmani Dynasty dissolved in 1492, Goa would become a part of Adil Shah’s Bijapur Sultanate.

During the fifteenth century, the state was captured by Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese admiral. The state would then become the capital of Portuguese India. Goa would become the base of operations for Afonso de Albuquerque’s conquest of Malacca and Hormuz. Goa was then established as a major trade hub and used to ferry spices and goods from the East to the West. This period of prosperity for the area was short lived, however. In the seventeenth century, the Dutch blockaded Goa’s ports. Goa then fell victim to a great epidemic and the city began to spiral down into a period of decline. Things grew even more dire for the area when Maratha troops invaded Goa. This war with Maratha would continue until the late eighteenth century. Indian independence took place in 1947, but Goa remained under Portuguese rule. It would take forty years before Goa was admitted to statehood in India. This took place in 1987.

Today, Goa has a quite prosperous economy and is one of the wealthiest states in India. Its Gross Domestic Product is in excess of three billion United States dollars and its Gross Domestic Product per capita is twice that of the whole of India. A large portion of the city’s economic activity is dependant on its mining production. Goa’s mining industry harvests iron, limestone, silica, clay and magnesium ores. Other industries in Goa include fertilizers, chemical production, pharmaceuticals, fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles and pesticides. But, the main economic activity of the region is tourism. Goa handles over twelve percent of all foreign tourist arriving in India. During the winter, the area is inundated with tourists from the United States and Europe. During the summer, Goa has a lot of tourist from other areas of India. This area has over two million tourist each and every year. About a quarter of that figure are tourist from abroad.

Goa is most widely known for its beaches. In fact, Goa has miles upon miles of beautiful beaches. The beaches located in the area are the prime reason for so much tourist activity. Beaches in Goa include Palolem, Bambolim, Arambol, Chapora, Sinquerim, Majorda, Dona Paula, Miramar, Candolim, Anjuna, Colva, Calangute, Vagator, Morjim, Baga, Agonda, Benaulim, Cavelossim, Bogmalo, Mobor, Canaguinim and Varca. The area is also known for its diverse population of wildlife. Animals that can be seen in Goa include migratory birds, foxes, boars, lobsters, shrimp, jellyfish, catfish and crabs. And that is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There is an immensely rich ecosystem located in this area that includes all manner of fish, fowl and beast. These wildlife areas also contain a diverse collection of flora and fauna. Some of the most beautiful and majestic forest in India are located in this area. There are also quite a few national parks and wildlife sancturaries. These include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahadeyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.

A popular attraction in Goa is the Anjuna Flea Market. This flea market sells a large variety of goods and features traders from all over India. Here visitors can buy woven cloths, textiles, curios and kaftans. The market is also populated by musicians, jugglers and snake charmers. Another prominent attraction is the Dudhsagar Falls. Dudhsagar Falls, which means Sea of Milk, is a waterfall that is situated on the Mandovi River and is about thirty miles from Panaji. This waterfall is best seen during the monsoon season, and during that time are the most powerful waterfalls in the country. This waterfall rises over one thousand feet and is about one hundred feet wide. This makes it India’s fifth tallest waterfall, and the world two hundred and twenty-seventh tallest waterfall. It can be accessed by train or by road. The road, however is pretty rough and its advisable to travel to the falls by rail. Other attractions in Goa include Basilica of Bom Jesus, Divar Island, Se Cathedral, The Convent of St. Monica, Cabo Palace, Dandeli National Park, Old Goa, Goa Velha, Goa State Museum, Idalcao Palace and Fountainhas. Goa is also home to a number of bazaars, cafes, restaurants and hotels. Restaurants here include Souza Lobo Restaurant, Sher-E-Punjab Restaurant and Bar, Cavala and Infantaria. Goa hotels include Casablanca Beach Resort, Hotel Nova Goa, La Ben Resort, Taj Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Beira Mar Alfran Resort, Hotel Fidalgo and the The Leela Beach Resort.

Buzios, also known as Armacao dos Búzios, is a resort city that is located in the state of Rio de Janeiro in the country of Brazil. This city covers an area of forty-three square miles and has a population of just over twenty-four thousand people. This resort city is located one hundred miles of Rio de Janeiro and has over twenty-four beautiful beaches available to visitors. This city was a popular haunt of Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s and continues to be a popular attraction for the rich and famous. Its history was not always so pleasant, however, as it was once inhabited by slave traders and pirates who used the area as a hideout. Today, visitors can enjoy its vibrant nightlife, amazing shops, restaurants, hotels and beaches.

Some of the beaches located here include Praia Azeda, Praia da Ferradura, Praia de Joao Fernandinho, Praia de Joao Fernandes, Praia Brava, Praia da Tartaruga, Praia de Geriba, Ferradurinha, Praia do Canto, Praia da Armacao, Praia dos Ossos, Praia Rasa, Praia de Manguinhos, Praia da Foca, Praia das Caravelas, Praia de Tucuns, Praia do Forno, Praia Jose Goncalves, Azeda Beach and Praia Olho de Boi. For those looking to do a bit of shopping, Buzios offers a whole wealth of stores. One of the popular stores in the city is Cachaca a Bordo on Rua das Pedras Avenue. It sells many crafts and souvenirs which include thermometers, frames, clocks, maps and other novelty items. Another store located in the city is Ambar which is located on Rua das Pedras Avenue. This store sells objects from all over the world including gifts from India, Morrocco, Africa, The Ivory Coast and Bali. These objects include statues, lamps, turuoise and amber jewelry, flutes and tacacas. Another popular store located on the same street is the Art Marinha. This store sells a vast array of objects that are inspired by the sea. These items include decorative fish shaped objects, sea shell picture frames and wood crafted items.

Buzios is also a city that has a fine gastronomical tradition. There are restaurants all over the city that serve cuisine from many different ethnic flavors which include French, Italian, Moroccan and Thai. The city also has many local cuisines which are based on fish and various other forms of seafood. One of the most popular restaurants in Buzios, and one that was frequented by Brigitte Bardot is the Cigalon. This restaurant serves French style cuisine that includes meals such as vanilla mashed potatoes, honey ginger chicken and coffee mignonette shrimp. Not too far from Cigalon is Chez Brigitte. This restaurant faces out toward the ocean and features cuisine that is based on seafood, steaks and sausages. Another seafood restaurant is located right next door and is called S´Essa Rua Fosse Minha. S´Essa Rua Fosse Minha is a recently new addition to the staple of restaurants located in the city and was opened in 2004. This restaurant has a country atmosphere and overlooks Canto Beach. Other restaurants in the city include Sawasdee (a Thai restaurant), Pizzaria Caprichosa (a pizza establishment), Pátio Havana and Chez Michou.

Buzios, as a resort town, also is home to a large number of hotels and bed & breakfast inns. These include
Afrika Pousada, Brigitta`s Guest House, Pousada do Sol, Pousada Barla Inn, Pousada Águas Claras, Búzios International Apart Hotel, Mar de Búzios Pousada, Búzios Residence, Pousada Byblos, Porto Bay Glenzhaus, Pousada Auberge De La Langouste, Vila d’este Handmade Hospitality, Pousada Cala d´Or, Pousada La Chimere, Pousada Santa Fe, Pousada da Praca, Pousada dos Reis, Aquabarra Guesthouse, Hotel-Pousada Arambare, Pousada Bon Bini and Pousada Alto de Geriba. Other attractions in the city include Iglesia de Santa Ana, Buzios Golf Club and the Brigitte Bardot Statue.

Perth is the biggest city in the state of Western Australia and is also its capital. This city covers an area of two thousand square miles and has a population of over one million and six hundred thousand residents. This makes Perth the fourth largest city in Australia. Over the past few years, the economy of the city has shifted from the more traditional industrial industries to a service based economy. Major sections of Perth’s economy include retail trade, health, education, personal and financial services, wholesale trade and tourism. The educational needs of the city are met by several institutions of higher learning, which include the University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, University of Notre Dame Australia, Murdoch University and the Curtin University of Technology. Perth is a city that has a passion for its sports. Popular sports in the city include soccer, netball, cricket and Australian football. Teams in the city of Perth include the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Football Club, Perth Lynx, Perth Wildcats, Perth Heat, Perth Glory, West Coast Fever, Smokefree WA Diamonds, Smokefree WA Thundersticks, Western Fury and the Western Warriors.

A popular attraction in Perth is the Art Gallery of Western Australia. This art gallery was originally located in the Jubilee Building and was supposed to be opened to honor Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in the year 1887. The project was never realized however, and the foundation stone was set in 1901. The main building was built in 1977 and was designed by K. Sierakowski. This art gallery has almost sixteen thousand pieces of art and is visited by almost half a million people a year. Past exhibits of the gallery have included Indian contemporary art, Auguste Rodin, Norman Lindsay etchings, paintings and drawings from the Tate Gallery, Islamic art from Kuwait, Russian art from the early twentieth century, Australian ceramics, Max Ernst, the Italian Renaissance and Monet.

Another attraction in Perth is Kings Park. This park is situated on one thousand acres of land and has parkland, natural bushland and botanical gardens. It was originally opened in 1895 and was known as Perth Park. In 1901, it was renamed Kings Park. Sixty percent of the park is bushland and the area of the park is larger than New York’s Central Park. Located within Kings Park is an eighteen hectare botanical garden that is called the Western Australian Botanic Garden. It was designed by John Oldham in 1962 and contains over two thousand species of flora native to Western Australia. Also located in the park is the State War Memorial Precinct. It is made up of a Cenotaph, Court of Contemplation, Flame of Remembrance and Pool of Reflection. The Cenotaph was built in 1929 and underneath it is a roll that list the service people from Western Australia who died during the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Also in the city is the Perth Zoo. This zoo was founded in 1898 and contains eighteen hundred animals taken from over two hundred and forty species. Exhibits at this zoo include Nocturnal House, World of Birds, African Savannah, Australian Walkabout and Asian Rainforest Zone. Animals that are housed here include African Painted Dogs, Asian Elephants, Slender-tailed Meerkats, Sumatran Tigers, Grant’s Zebras, Sulawesi Crested Macaques, African Lions, White-Cheeked Gibbons, Rothschild Giraffes, Sumatran Orangutans, White Rhinoceros, Oriental Small-clawed Otters, Sun Bears, Hamadryas Baboons, Nepalese Red Pandas, Radiated Tortoises, Silvery Gibbons, Cheetahs, Fishing Cats, Spotted Hyaenas, Dingos, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Koalas, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos, Quokkas, Baudin’s Cockatoos, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats, Muir’s Corellas, Splendid Fairy-Wrens, Tasmanian Devils, Carnaby’s Cockatoos, Emus, Tammar Wallabys, Western Grey Kangaroos, Numbats, Short-beaked Echidnas, Red Kangaroos, Estuarine Crocodiles, Little Pied Cormorants, Black-necked Storks, Western Swamp Tortoises, Little Penguins, Black Swans, Motorbike Frogs, Darters, Splendid Tree Frogs, Freshwater Crocodiles, Brolgas, Bridled Terns, Blue-winged Kookaburras, Sydney funnel-web spiders, Emerald Doves, Australian Tarantulas, Channel-billed Cuckoos, Redback spiders, Pheasant Coucals, Eclectus Parrots, Pied Imperial Pigeons, Green Pygmy Geese, Millipedes and Scorpions.

Another popular attraction in the city is the Perth Mint. Construction on this mint was begun in 1896 by John Forrest and it officially opened in June of 1899. Its purpose was to serve as a branch of London’s Royal Mint to refine and manufacture gold sovereigns to be used as currency in Australia. Up until 2000, the Perth Mint produced over forty-five hundred tons of gold products. The mint is no longer used as a Royal Mint, but it still creates numismatic items for coin collectors and investors. Coins that are produced here include Australian Silver Kookaburra coins, Australian Nugget gold coins, Australian Silver Kookaburra bullion and Platinum Koala coins. Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts is located in a building that was erected in 1896 and served as the Perth Boy’s & Girl’s School. The purpose of this museum is to promote contemporary arts in Western Australia.

Other attractions in the city of Perth include Caversham Wildlife Park, Aquarium of Western Australia, Margaret River Regional Wine Centre, Whiteman Park, Nambung National Park, Scarborough Beach, Western Australian Museum, Trigg Beach, Cottesloe Beach, Parliament House, London Court, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail, Caversham House, John Forrest National Park, Adventure World, Swan Bells, Penguin Island, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Toodyay, WRC Rally in Australia, Cohunu Koala Park, St George’s Terrace, All Saints Anglican Church, Swan Valley Heritage Trail, SciTech Discovery Centre, The Henge, St. George’s Cathedral, Perth Government House, Museum & Fire Safety Education Center, Holmes a Court Gallery, Law Courts, Perth Concert Hall, Museum of Childhood, The Cloisters, Armadale History House, Burswood Park, Aviation Heritage Museum, Perth Mosque, Western Australian Medical Museum, Cordelia Gardens, The Old Perth Observatory, Infants’ Butterfly Garden, Walyunga National Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Barracks Arch and Berndt Museum of Anthropology. The city also has many fabulous hotels which include Ibis Perth, The New Esplanade Hotel, Rydges Perth Hotel Accommodation, Duxton Hotel Perth, Sheraton Perth Hotel, Hilton Parmelia Perth Hotel and the Criterion Hotel.
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Clearwater is an American city that is situated in Pinellas County, Florida. This city is located northwest of St. Petersburg and west of Tampa. It covers an area of thirty-seven square miles and has a population of over one hundred and eight thousand residents. Clearwater has been the home of many famous residents. Famous past and current residents of the city include Evel Knievel, Riley Cooper, Ricky Carmichael, Nicole Stott, Hulk Hogan, Jim Morrison, Lisa Marie Presley, Raquel Gibson, Aaron Gillespie, Beverly Mullins, Brooke Hogan and Ken Climo. The city is also home to several colleges and universities which include Clearwater Christian College, Pinellas Technical Education Center, St. Petersburg College and Everest University. Clearwater is also the worldwide headquarters of the Church of Scientology.

Clearwater can trace its history back to the nineteenth century, when Fort Harrison was constructed by the United States Army. This fort was situated on the bluffs overlooking Clearwater Harbor. The city grew rapidly after the passage of the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842. This act offered one hundred and sixty acres of land to anyone who would cultivate the land and bear arms for the Federal government. During the Civil War, while many of the healthy men of the city were fighting for the Confederacy, Union gunships raided the city’s store houses. After the first passanger rail line into the city, it began to see an increase in commercial development. In 1891, Clearwater was incorporated as a city and James E. Crane became its first mayor. In 1897, a Victorian resort hotel known as the Belleview Biltmore was just outside the city, and Clearwater became a popular vacation destination. During World War II, the city became a training center for American troops. Every hotel in the city during this time was re-purposed as military barracks.

Today, Clearwater is once again a popular vacation destination. It has many festivals held on an annual basis which include the Imagine International Film Festival, Foster Grant Ironman World Championship, Fun N Sun Festival, Hispanic Heritage Festival, Clearwater Celebrates America and Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The city is also home to several popular attractions. One of the more popular attractions in the city include Ruth Eckerd Hall. Ruth Eckerd Hall is a seventy-three thousand square foot performing arts venue. It is the performance venue for the Florida Orchestra and was named after Ruth Eckerd, wife of Jack Eckerd. It has a twenty-one hundred seat auditorium that is done in the continental seating configuration, without a center aisle. It was founded in 1977, when the Kapok Tree Corporation donated thirty-eight acres of land to the City of Clearwater. Two years later, construction on it began. It cost over fourteen million dollars to construct and was opened in October of 1983. This performance hall receives over three hundred and fifty thousand patrons a year and contains performances which range from classical music to Broadway musicals.

Other popular attractions in the city of Clearwater include The Segway Adventure, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater Gliders Segway Adventures, Pier 60, Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, Clearwater Beach, Thriller Power Boat, Sand Key Park, Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club, Sand Key Park, Beach Walk, Bright House Networks Field, Cove Cay Country Club, Calypso Queen, Clearwater Golf Park, Airco Golf Course, Murder She Wrote Dinner Theater, Kelly’s Beach Place, Sea Life Safari, Harborview Center, Sky Screamer Parasail, Dive Clearwater and Belleview Biltmore Golf Club. The city is also home to superb restaurants and hotels. Restaurants in Clearwater include Gondolier Italian Restaurant, Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber, Island Way Grill, O’Keefe’s Restaurant, Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill and Columbia Restaurant. Hotels in the city include Sandpearl Resort, Quality Hotel Clearwater Beach, Shephard’s Beach Resort, Chart House Hotel & Suites, Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort and Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites.