About the people

As of 2001 India Census, Silvassa had a population of 21,890. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Silvassa has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Silvassa, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age. Marathi and Gujarati are the main languages spoken. Silvassa is also considered to be the home of Warli culture. Warli is the language spoken by the Warli people which is basically a mixture of Marathi and Gujarati languages with a local twist.
Silvassa is famous for its natural beauty with number of beautiful gardens. Shooting of well known Hindi movie "Phool aur Kante" has been done here. The Lion Safari and Vasona Deer Park are new upcoming tourist attractions. The Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli is a paradise for trekkers.
Silvassa also has a considerable number of Roman Catholic Christian as it was a part of the Portuguese colonies in India along with Goa, Daman and Diu for many centuries. A distinct Indo-Portuguese culture has evolved and is clearly distinguishable.

About the place

After prolonged skirmishes between the Portuguese and the Marathas, on 17 December, 1779, the Maratha Government assigned the aggregated revenue of Rs 12,000 in a few villages of this territory to the Protuguese as compensation to ensure their friendship. The Portuguese ruled this territory until its liberation by the people on 2 August, 1954. From 1954 till 1961, the territory functioned almost independently by what was known as "Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administration". However, the territory was merged with the Indian Union on 11 August, 1961, and since then, is being administered by the Government of India as a Union Territory. After liberation of the territory from Portuguese rule, a Varishtha Panchayat was working as an advisory body of the Administration. This was dissolved in August 1989, and a Pradesh Council for Dadra and Nagar Haveli District Panchayat and 11 Village Panchayats were constituted as per constitutional amendments at All India level. The UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli has an area of 491 sq km, and it is surrounded by Gujarat and Maharashtra. It consists of two pockets namely, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The nearest railway station is at Vapi, which is 18 km from Silvassa.

Location

Silvassa is located at 20°16′N 73°01′E / 20.27°N 73.02°E / 20.27; 73.02[1]. It has an average elevation of 32 metres (104 ft).