India's ancient and diverse culture , sweeping back at least 5000 years, with successive waves of migration absorbed into the fabric of Indian life, has enriched over and over again to make a multi-cultural nation with a wide diversity of languages, customs, cuisines, religions, literature and arts. Within this kaleidoscope of immense variety there is a thread of continuity that has determined Indian civilisation and social structure.

India is the largest democracy in the world, the seventh largest country by area and has the second largest population. Located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, it is bound by Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal border its coastline.

The nation's diversity is abundantly obvious with the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, the arid state of Rajesthan and the tropical beaches of Goa. The nation is vast and difficult to encapsulate in a few short words.

From a property perspective, Mumbai does present opportunities but it is also one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. Most investors tend to focus on Goa which is an increasingly popular tourist destination and even retirement location due to the low cost of living. The former Portuguese colony feels unlike any other part of this giant country. It has a distinctly European air in many towns, although you never feel like you are anywhere other than India.

There are a number of small resort towns scattered along the idyllic tropical coastline that present potential opportunities for property investors. Places such as the popular market town of Anjuna, Margoa, Panji, Cavelossim, Palolem and many others along the coast have increasing numbers of interesting purpose built developments.