Mumbai

Mumbai (Marathi: ????? ) (pronounced {{IPA|/mum?a?i/}} in Marathi, and {{IPA|/mʊm'baɪ/}} in English), formerly known as Bombay ({{IPA2|bɒm'beɪ}}), is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and is the most populous Indian city with a 2005 estimated population of about 13 million.{{ref|population}} Mumbai is located on Salsette Island off the west coast of India. Along with the neighbouring towns, it forms one of the world's most populous metropolitan areas, with an extended population of 17 million. The city, which has a deep natural harbour, is also the largest port in western India, handling over half of India's passenger traffic.

Related Topics:
Marathi - Pronounced - English - India - State - Maharashtra - Indian city - Salsette Island - West coast - Most populous - Metropolitan areas - Harbour

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Mumbai is the commercial capital of India, and houses important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, and the corporate headquarters of many Indian companies. Because of the immense business opportunities available in Mumbai and the relatively high standard of living, it has attracted migrants from all over India and South Asia, making the city a potpourri of various communities and cultures. Bollywood, the epicentre of the country's Hindi film and television industry is located in Mumbai. Mumbai is also one of the rare cities to accommodate a national park, Borivali National Park, within its municipal limits.

Related Topics:
Reserve Bank of India - Bombay Stock Exchange - Indian companies - Standard of living - South Asia - Potpourri - Cultures - Bollywood - Hindi - Film and television industry - Borivali National Park

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The appellation Mumbai is an eponym, etymologically derived from Mumba — the name of the Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and Aai — meaning mother in Marathi. In the 16th century, the Portuguese named the area Bom Bahia, which means Good Bay. This was later corrupted to Bomaím or Bombaim, by which name it is still known in Portuguese; and after the British gained possession, it was anglicised to Bombay. The name was officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995, but the former name is still popularly used in the West and by many of the city's inhabitants and famous institutions.

Related Topics:
Appellation - Eponym - Etymologically - Hindu - Mumbadevi - Mother - Marathi - 16th century - Portuguese - British - Anglicised - 1995 - The West

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