Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama, often shortened to Vasco, is a city in Goa state on the west coast of India. It is named for the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Vasco is Goa's largest town and is the chief port town of Goa as well as the headquarters of the Mormugão taluka. The city lies on the western tip of the Mormugão peninsula, at the mouth of the Zuari River, about 30 km from Panaji (Panjim}, Goa's capital. The city was founded in 1543, and remained in Portuguese hands until 1961, when Goa was annexed to India. The Indian Navy's Goa Naval Area (base) is located at Vasco from which it controls Dabolim airport and, in effect, the entire tourism-dependent mini-state of Goa. Area Code: 832