Mumbai

Named as "Bombay" in the earlier days, this city is the capital of the state of Maharashtra. This city, located on the western coastal area of India along the Arabian Sea, is famous for being close to a natural harbor.

This biggest city of India is one of the popular metropolitan cities in the country. Being the location of the Hindi Film Industry, this city is home to many celebrities like artists, film-stars, industrialists and many more. The soaring skyscrapers co-locate with the sprawling slums in this place. Different people belonging to various ethnicities make the culture of the city vibrant.

Demographics of Mumbai

As per the Census 2011, this Western Indian city is the 4th most populous city of the world and the most populous city in the nation. Following are the demographic details of the city:

• Total population: 12, 478, 447, according to the 2011 census (12.4 million or 1.24 crore)
• Metropolitan population: 18, 414, 288
• Total male population: 6, 736, 815
• Total female population: 5, 741, 632
• Density of population: 20, 694 per sq. km.
• Growth of population: 12, 478, 447
• Growth rate of population: 4.7 %
• Rate of literacy: 89.7 %
• Sex ratio: 848 females per 1, 000 males
• Official language: Marathi
• Main religion: Hindus (67.39 %), Muslims (18.56 %), Buddhists (5.22 %), Christians (4.2 %), Jains (3.99 %), Sikhs (0.58 %) and Jews, Parsis and other religion (0.6 %)

Tourist Places in Mumbai

The city of Mumbai has got numerous places of visit, which attracts tourists from domestic as well as international destinations. To name a few of them are:

Afghan Church: Located in the quiet atmosphere of the army cantonment in the southern part of the city, this church of the Evangelist St. John was constructed in the year 1858 and is made of lofty limestone.

Banganga Tank: This is a famous, quaint and ancient Jain pilgrimage on the way to the Malabar Hills.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya: Formerly called the Prince of Wales Museum, this museum was established in the 20th Century. Apart from reflecting the Victorian architecture, this museum of Mumbai has got a collection of ancient and rare artifacts of natural history, archaeology and art.

Elephanta Island: This island is known for its rock cut temples. This World Heritage Site is a complex, which includes shrines, inner cells, courtyards, porticos and grand halls that are filled with some exclusive stone sculptures of Lord Shiva and other Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu religion.

Essel World: Based in West Borivali, this is one of the renowned amusement parks in the city, which has got a number of joy rides.

Gateway of India: Built to commemorate Queen Mary and King George V's visit to India, this is the most popular monument of the city. Motor launches are available from the back of the arch to take you on a short cruise so as to explore the natural harbor of this city.

Hanging Gardens: Situated near the Malabar Hill, this well maintained park provides a picturesque view of the Mumbai city.

Mani Bhavan: This used to be the home of Mahatma Gandhi, which has now been turned to a museum that exhibits some of the things used by Gandhiji.

Marine Drive: Even known as the "Queen's Necklace" for the evening lights, this place offers a panoramic view of sunset.

Chowpatty Beach: This sea beach is one of the ideal places for evening hangouts in the city. The food stalls on the beach serving local bhel puri and pav bhaji just add on to the people's enjoyment.

Besides the ones mentioned above, names of some of the other tourist attractions in and around Mumbai are:

• Aksa Beach
• Borivali National Park or Sanjay Gandhi National Park
• Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
• F. D. Alpaiwalla Museum
• Haji Ali Mosque
• Jama Masjid
• Juhu Beach
• Kamla Nehru Park
• Mahalakshmi Temple
• Mumbadevi Temple
• Mumbai Port Trust Garden
• Nariman Point
• Nehru Science Centre
• Suraj Water Park
• St. George Fort
• Veermata Jijabai Udyan (Zoo)

Resources of Economy in Mumbai

This city, being the richest Indian city, has got the highest Gross Domestic Product (G. D. P.) among all the other cities of west, south and central Asia. This commercial capital of India is a land of innumerable multi-national companies, domestic as well as foreign banks, financial institutions etc. To name a few are Wipro Limited, Larsen and Toubro, Tata Group, State Bank of India, Reliance, Life Insurance Corporation of India (L. I. C.) and Godrej. Though in the earlier days, the economical resources were limited to seaport and textile mills, but presently the sources of economy of this city include healthcare, engineering, polishing of diamond and Information Technology (I. T.).

Modes of transport in Mumbai

The Mumbai city can be reached from any part of the nation as well as the major international destinations by one or the other modes of transport, which are mentioned below:

Air Transport: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, located at a distance of around 28 km from the heart of the city, is the main and the nearest airport to the city. This busiest airport in India has got international flights operated by the following airlines:

• Air Asia
• British Airways
• Delta
• Emirates
• Lufthansa
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas and Singapore Airlines

Airlines, which operate domestic flights to almost all the main cities of the country, are:

• Go Air
• Indigo
• Jet Airways
• Spice Jet

Rail Transport: Indian Railways help the city connect to places all over the nation. Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, earlier called Victoria Terminus or V. T., Kurla Terminus, Dadar Terminus and Churchgate Railway Station are the 4 important railways station in the city.

Road Transport: The capital city of Maharashtra has got a number of highways passing though it, which help the city connect to the neighboring areas as well as the distant places. To name some of them are:

• Eastern Express Highway
• National Highway 3
• National Highway 4
• National Highway 6
• National Highway 8
• National Highway 9
• National Highway 17
• National Highway 222
• Western Express Highway

Besides these, there are few more, some of which are as follows:

• Eastern Freeway
• Mumbai - Nashik Expressway
• Mumbai - Pune Expressway
• Mumbai - Vadodara Expressway
• Sion Panvel Expressway
• Western Freeway

Various types of buses, starting from air conditioned and luxury to normal ones, ply to and from the city, thus, connecting the place to the other parts of the nation. Apart from that, the rented taxis and cars are even available.

Last Updated on : 30 January 2012