Introduction :
Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra and the economic powerhouse of India. It's an exhilarating city, fuelled by entrepreneurial energy, determination and dreams. Compared to the torpor of the rest of India, it can seem like a foreign country. To many visitors, Mumbai is the glamour of Bollywood cinema, cricket on the maidans on weekends, bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty and red double-decker buses. While it boasts an impressive Victoria townscape, a sculptured island cave temple and a national park that's roamed by wild tigers, the city's formal attractions pale in comparison to the nonstop theater of its streets. Mumbai lives and breathes cinema, enjoy a rollicking nightlife.
Facts & Figures :
| Area |
440 sq km (170 sq m) |
| Population |
18 millions |
| State |
Maharashtra |
| Language |
Marathi, Hindi, english, Gujrati |
| STD Code |
022 |
| Time Zone |
GMT/UTC plus 5.5 hours |
| Weather |
Sum. Max 34o C Min 27o C
Wint. Max 30o C Min 19o C |
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Mumbai History :
The seven islands that now form Mumbai were first home to the Koli fisherfolk whose shanties still occupy parts of the city shoreline today. The islands were ruled by a succession of Hindu dynasties, invaded by Muslims in the 14th century and then ceded to Portugal by the Sultan of Gujarat in 1534. The Portuguese did little to develop them before the major island of the group was included in Catherine of Braganza's dowry when she married England's Charles II in 1661. The British Government took possession of all seven islands in 1665 but leased them three years later to the East India Company for a meagre annual rent of 10 pounds sterling.
How to Reach Mumbai :
Air: There is an extensive network of flights from Mumbai's Sahara (International) and Santa Cruz (Domestic) airports. International flights connect it to all the major cities of the world. There are domestic flights to all the major cities of the country.
Train: Mumbai has trains connecting it to all the major cities of the country. Intra city trains in Mumbai are very good, and are the fastest and cheapest way to move around in Mumbai.
Road: Mumbai is well connected to all the cities of Maharashtra by bus. Intra city bus services are also very good.
Best Season to Visit Mumbai :
Mumbai can be visited any time of the year, though the hot and humid months of June, July and August are best avoided.
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