Known as the pearl of the East, Goa is a state situated on the southwestern coast of India, inside the Konkan region. The Goa state is one of the best holiday destinations in India, because of its several beaches and lively surroundings. Spread over an area of 3,700 km2, Goa is India's smallest state by area, and with a 1,458,545 total population ranked as the fourth-smallest state. Goa has the highest GDP per capita among all Indian states and is acknowledged as the best-placed state because of its infrastructure. Goa attracts a large number of tourists including both domestic and international every year because of its white and calm sandy beaches, lively nightlife, places of worship, and World Heritage-listed architecture. The state has abundant flora and fauna as it lies very close to the North Western Ghats rainforests, known as one of the rare biodiversity zones of the world.