Explanations:The coastline of a state is the total length of its land boundary that borders the sea. Understanding the coastline lengths of different states is important for various geographical and environmental studies, as well as for competitive examinations that test knowledge of Indian geography.
Among the given options, Goa has the shortest coastline. Goa is a small state located on the western coast of India, bordering the Arabian Sea. Its coastline is approximately 160 km long. The state's limited coastline is due to its relatively small size and the fact that it is surrounded by other states on three sides, leaving only a small stretch of land along the sea.
On the other hand, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have much longer coastlines. Maharashtra, which is a larger state, has a coastline of about 720 km. This extensive coastline is due to the state's larger size and its extensive coastal regions along the Arabian Sea. Kerala, another state on the western coast, has a coastline of about 590 km, which is significantly longer than Goa's. The state's extensive coastline is due to its long stretch along the Arabian Sea.
Tamil Nadu, located on the southeastern coast of India, has the longest coastline among the given options, stretching over 920 km. The state's extensive coastline is due to its large size and its extensive coastal regions along both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Therefore, when comparing the coastline lengths of these states, Goa has the shortest coastline, making it the correct answer to the question. Understanding the geographical features of Indian states, including their coastline lengths, is crucial for various competitive exams and geographical studies.