In this article, we provide detailed information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist attractions of Mumbai. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the bustling capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial hub of India. Located on the west coast, Mumbai is one of the most populous cities in the world, a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions. It’s a city that never sleeps, constantly humming with energy and opportunities.
| About: | Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. It is the country’s financial and commercial center, and its principal port on the Arabian Sea. Located on Maharashtra’s coast, Mumbai is India’s most-populous city, and it is one of the largest and most densely populated urban areas in the world. It was built on an ancient site of settlement, and it took that name, Mumbai, from the local goddess, Mumba—a version of Parvati, consort of Shiva, one of the key deities of Hinduism: whose temple once stood in that part of the city now composed of its southeastern section. It was referred to as Bombay in the British colonial period, the name perhaps an Anglicized corruption of Mumbai or perhaps of Bom Baim (meaning “”Good Harbour””), purportedly the Portuguese name for the place. Officially, it was renamed as Mumbai again during the year 1995 but the name Bombay is also commonly in use. |
| History: | The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies of the Koli people. For centuries, the islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese Empire and subsequently to the East India Company when in 1661 Charles II of England married Catherine of Braganza and as part of her dowry Charles received the ports of Tangier and Seven Islands of Bombay. During the mid-18th century, Bombay was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project, which undertook reclamation of the area between the seven islands from the sea. Along with construction of major roads and railways, the reclamation project, completed in 1845, transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea. Bombay in the 19th century was characterised by economic and educational development. During the early 20th century it became a strong base for the Indian independence movement. Upon India’s independence in 1947 the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as the capital. |
| Geography: | Mumbai lies at the mouth of the Ulhas River on the western coast of India, in the coastal region known as the Konkan. It sits on Salsette Island (Sashti Island), which it partially shares with the Thane district. The city is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, with much of its land lying slightly above sea level at elevations ranging from 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet), and an average elevation of 14 meters (46 feet). Northern Mumbai, particularly the Salsette area, is characterized by hilly terrain, with its highest point reaching 450 meters (1,480 feet) in the Powai–Kanheri ranges. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park, also called Borivali National Park, spans 103.09 square kilometers (39.80 square miles) and is located partly within Mumbai’s suburban district and partly in the Thane district. |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Maharashtra |
| Division: | Konkan |
| District: | Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban |
| Language: | Marathi |
| Population: | 12,442,373 (Metro) |
| Literacy rate: | Average literacy rate of Mumbai city is 89.73 percent of which male and female literacy was 92.56 and 86.39 percent. The sex ratio of Mumbai city is 853 per 1000 males. |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | 1. Gateway of India 2. Marine Drive 3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) 4. Elephanta Caves 5. Colaba Causeway 6. Haji Ali Dargah 7. Siddhivinayak Temple 8. Juhu Beach 9. Girgaum Chowpatty 10. Bandra-Worli Sea Link 11. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Museum) 12. Kanheri Caves 13. Sanjay Gandhi National Park 14. Mount Mary Church (Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount) 15. Crawford Market (Jyotiba Phule Market) 16. Film City (Goregaon) 17. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum 18. Taraporewala Aquarium 19. Banganga Tank 20. Mumbai Zoo (Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan) 21. Dhobi Ghat 22. Mahalakshmi Racecourse 23. Aksa Beach 24. Powai Lake 25. Global Vipassana Pagoda |
