Panaji

Panaji (formerly Nova Goa; ; Goan Konkani: Ponnjem, IPA: [pɵɳd͡ʑɛ̃] ; Portuguese: Pangim), also known as Panjim, is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of the North Goa district. It was previously the territorial capital of the former Portuguese India (Estado da Índia). 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 Margão and Mormugão. 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. Panaji's HDI (United Nations Human Development Index) is almost around 0.80, and is considered to be the best amongst other major Indian cities. The city was built with stepped streets and a 7-kilometre-long (4-mile) promenade on a planned grid system after the Portuguese relocated the capital from Old Goa in the 17th century. It was elevated from a town to a city on 22 March 1843.