Mumbai

Mumbai is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra, located on the west coast of the country on Salsette Island and adjacent islands. It is India's financial, commercial, and entertainment hub and one of the world's most populous urban areas, with a metropolitan population numbering in the tens of millions. The city hosts major financial institutions including the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, and the National Stock Exchange, as well as numerous corporate headquarters and a large services sector.

Historically, Mumbai emerged from seven islands that were joined by land reclamation and later developed as a major port city. It was ruled by the Portuguese, who named it Bom Bahia, before being ceded to the British in 1661. The growth of trade, industry, and the railway network in the 19th and 20th centuries spurred rapid urban expansion. The city is noted for its Victorian Gothic and Art Deco architecture, and the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Culturally, Mumbai is diverse, with Marathi as the official language alongside Hindi and English. The Indian film industry, commonly known as Bollywood, is centered here. The city also contains major educational and research institutions, including the University of Mumbai, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Dharavi, one of Asia's largest informal settlements, is located within the city.

Transport and infrastructure include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and a dense suburban rail network (Western and Central lines), along with major ports such as the Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The climate is tropical, with hot summers and a monsoonal season bringing heavy rainfall from June to September.