Mumbai (Marathi मुंबई, Hindi मुम्बई, English Mumbai; until 1995 - Bombay, Bombay) - a city in the west of India, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The administrative center of the state of Maharashtra.
Mumbai is the most populated city in India: the so-called. Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which includes two districts of the state of Maharashtra: the Mumbai proper (157 km², 3,145,966 inhabitants in 2011), and the Mumbai (suburban) district (446 km², 9,332,481 inhabitants. in 2011), total 603 km², 12 478 447 inhabitants. in 2011, together with satellite towns, forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration of the world with a population of 21.3 million people. Located at an altitude of 10 meters above sea level. The population density is 21,665 people per km² (the city takes the first place in the world in density), about 1/2 of the population is Marathi, and about 1/4 are Gujarati. The city itself occupies the island of Bombay and the southern part of the island of Salsett, which are interconnected by bridges and dams.
Mumbai is a major hub for international communications. The city has a deep natural harbor, being the largest port in the west of India. About half of India's passenger flow passes through the passenger terminal. Mumbai - one of the most important economic and cultural centers of India, is a city of great contrasts, where luxury and wealth coexist with poverty. Modern quarters are adjacent to slums - the northern areas of the city, which are considered hotbeds of various diseases.
Compared to other cities in India, Mumbai has a relatively high standard of living and high business activity. Employment opportunities are attracting labor to the city from all over South Asia, not counting India itself.