25 Best Facts About the City of Mumbai

25 Best Facts About the City of Mumbai

Mumbai is the state capital of Maharashtra and India’s economic center. It is the home of people from many backgrounds and circumstances. Despite these disparities, Mumbai has always demonstrated its unity through its people and its unwavering spirit of togetherness. Many people are unaware of a few facts about Mumbai that represent the city’s splendor. This city formerly known as Bombay is India’s commercial capital. It is a city of dreams, a place where people come to live with enormous dreams of their own. While we may be familiar with its industrial appearance and tranquil seashore beaches, here are some intriguing facts about Mumbai!

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1. Mumbai is the entertainment capital of India

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Mumbai also regarded as the “City of Dreams” is a land of opportunity for artists and talent from all around the nation. This is the location of about 50% of all Indian movies and television programs, including the first Indian movie which was made in 1913. The city today serves as the hub of the thriving Bollywood film industry and is the residence of the top actors and directors in Indian film and television, as well as important global production organizations like Fox Star and Walt Disney.

2. The city was named after a goddess

Mumbai was named after the local goddess Mumba, who is a manifestation of Parvati, the consort of Shiva, one of the main Hindu gods, and whose temple was originally located in what is now the city’s southeast. Mumbai was founded on the site of an ancient village. During the British colonial era, it came to be known as Bombay; the name may have been an Anglicized corruption of Mumbai or Bom Baim (“Good Harbour”), a purportedly Portuguese name for the area. Although Bombay continued to be used often, the name Mumbai was formally reinstated in 1995.

3. It is India’s economic capital

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Mumbai is undoubtedly one of the richest cities in Asia. It provides strong connectivity to other regions of Asia and the rest of the country. Because the majority of the leading international brands have offices there, the city is known as the fashion center of India. The city also features a large variety of upmarket hotels with various themes and amenities to accommodate both business and leisure travelers. The above justifies Mumbai’s status as India’s economic center. Since a long time ago, it has drawn several national and international businesses. Exploiting offshore oilfields like Bombay High and the city’s crucial role in naval defense have increased its dominance as an Indian megacity.

4. Mumbai is the location of the famous Gateway of India

When someone decides to travel to Mumbai, this is the place they most often end up in. It is located in south Mumbai’s Colaba neighborhood. The building was constructed in 1924. At the Apollo Bunder Waterfront, it has a view of Mumbai’s harbor, which is situated alongside the Arabian Sea. The major reason it was built was to welcome King George V and Queen Mary while they were in India. The final British troop to leave India did so via this doorway. The gateway, often known as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, represents India’s rich cultural past. Even more beautiful than the marine road and queen’s necklace is the view of the gateway from the water at night. Given that it is the top attraction in Mumbai, you must go there while you are there.

5. The city has UNESCO World Heritage sites

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An outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, originally known as Victoria Terminus Station, incorporates elements of Indian traditional architecture. The structure, created by British architect F. W. Stevens, came to represent Bombay as India’s main international port of commerce and the “Gothic City.” The High Victorian Gothic design of the terminal, which was based on late medieval Italian models, took ten years to complete commencing in 1878. Its impressive stone dome, turrets, pointed arches, and peculiar floor plan is reminiscent of ancient Indian palace architecture. The other site is Elephanta Caves.

6. Mumbai has one of the biggest slum populations in the entire globe

When citizens and decision-makers discuss how cities expand, the terms “slums” and “skyscraper” are likely to be most frequently employed. The slums’ destitution and skyscrapers’ sterility are the Achilles’ heels of city planners and community leaders. They like residential areas that are well-mixed with residences, businesses, offices, and public amenities. This makes us think of Mumbai, India’s financial hub. Mumbai has also been referred to as the Mayanagri or the City of Dreamers, among other names.

It is understandable why this city has so much to offer, from strolls along Marine Drive at night to enjoying chai while watching the rain from your balcony. Mumbai, however, displays itself in two different ways. Despite Mumbai’s gleaming oceanfront towers, affluent neighborhoods, and exciting nightlife, the city’s dreadful reality is found in its slum district. Mumbai is home to the world-famous Dharavi slum, one of the largest in the world.

7. When it comes to street food Mumbai is a popular destination

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Urban India’s street culture is a multi-sensory experience. This is where daily activities including strolling, chatting, running, sleeping, reading, shaving, cleaning, working, meeting, purchasing, selling, cooking, and eating take place. Similarly, when it comes to street cuisine, Mumbai is a popular destination. Certain street food dishes, such as the renowned Bhelpuri or the Vada-pao, have caught the imagination of the Mumbai public to the point where the city has come to be identified with them. So, when a visitor comes to Mumbai, they are expected to try the famous Bhelpuri at Chowpatty Beach.

Read also; 10 Best Places to eat with Locals in Mumbai

8. The suburban railway system in Mumbai is the most extensive in India

To service the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Mumbai Suburban train consists of exclusive inner suburban train lines supplemented by commuter rail on main lines serving outer suburbs. The suburban railway conducts 2,342 train services and transports about 7.5 million commuters daily across a distance of 465 kilometers (289 miles). The Mumbai Suburban Railway is one of the world’s busiest commuter rail networks, with 2.64 billion yearly users, and some of the world’s most severe overcrowding.

9. The city has a thriving nightlife

Mumbai, also known as the City of Dreams or Mayanagri, is about much more than Bollywood and glitz. Mumbai literally never sleeps; the inhabitants here work hard during the day and party even harder at night. The city has a very active nightlife and is progressively pushing its way into the list of the world’s most happening cities! Mumbai offers spectacular starlit open-air clubs, a vibrant mix of music, and a wonderful selection of food, making it an ideal destination for night crawlers.

10. Mumbai was a seven-island archipelago

Many people are unaware that Mumbai was once an archipelago of “seven islands,” namely Colaba, Mazagaon, Mahim, Parel, Bombay Island, Worli, and Old Woman’s Island. This archipelago of islands was part of the realm of Ashoka, India’s famous Buddhist ruler. These islands’ landscapes included low hills, tidal flats, mangrove forests, and salt pans.

During high tide, the seawater flowed in via three large breaches or inlets in the gap between the islands. When the water drained, it left behind saline wetlands. While it was possible to cross from Bombay to Mazagaon during low tides since the sea in that area was very shallow, the gap between other islands was navigated by boats.

11. Mumbai is home to one of world’s most expensive house

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Antilia, the world’s most costly residence, is located in Mumbai. Such a thing is fairly frequent in the metropolis, which is home to some of the world’s wealthiest people. Mr. MukeshAmbani, the creator of the Reliance Group, owns the skyscraper, which stands tall on the Altamount hill in Mumbai’s South Bombay neighborhood.

12. Mumbai is one of the Indian states with a strong educational system

This city in the Indian state of Maharashtra is one of the most well-known and popular in the country, offering students not only a high-quality education but also opportunities to explore beyond their wildest dreams. With famous institutions such as the University of Mumbai, IIT Bombay, the National Institute of Fashion and Technology, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and many more, Mumbai fosters a diverse educational environment.

Read also; 10 Fun Facts about the Indian Education System

13. The city is India’s most popular immigration destination

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Mumbai, the country’s financial and entertainment powerhouse, also has the biggest number of migrants, who bring a distinct flavor to the dynamic metropolis. Maharashtrians, Gujaratis, Konkanis, Parsis, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Jains, Buddhists, and others live in the city. Mumbai’s distinct existence is due to the interaction of various cultures and communities. Approximately 45% of Mumbai residents are migrants. According to the results of a survey on people’s places of origin or birth, 37.4% of immigrants arrived in the city from Maharashtra. UP was the second-largest contributor, and Gujarat was third.

14. Haji Ali Dargah is a well-known monument in Mumbai

Haji Ali Dargah is a Mumbai landmark that floats in the middle of the water like a beloved mirage. This Indo-Islamic pilgrimage site, nestled on an island near Mumbai’s Worli coast, is a welcome yet stunning sight. The mosque, which was built in the nineteenth century, houses the tomb of Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. According to legend, Saint Haji Ali died while on a pilgrimage to Mecca, but his casket magically floated across the sea and landed on the shores of Mumbai. This is the story of how Mumbai’s renowned mosque came to be.

15. The city is densely populated

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Mumbai is so congested that it is difficult to find any open space. With so many people migrating from other regions of the country combined with the original population makes the city overcrowded. When birth rates exceed mortality rates, the population of a region organically grows. Natural growth is a major contributor to Mumbai’s population expansion. The fertility rate in Mumbai is roughly two children per woman.

16. The city has a vibrant and blooming arts sector

Mumbai is known as the “City of Dreams.” The city with a history dating back thousands of years. Since the city is where young and old, traditional and contemporary collide, it’s no surprise then, that the city has a bustling arts culture that draws visitors from all around India and beyond. From eye-catching street art to landmark historical institutions, and experimental collaborative art spaces to high-brow galleries, Mumbai provides art lovers of all stripes with the opportunity to lose themselves in the creativity, colors, and currents of its many artists and works.

17. Mumbai is home to India’s first car owner

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Mr. Jamsetji Tata was India’s first car owner. The Crompton Greaves boss, an Englishman named Foster, owned the first vehicle to arrive in India in 1897. However, Mr. Jamsetji Tata of the Tata Group became the first Indian to possess a car in the country the following year. No Indian before him had the luxury of owning an automobile. He was a resident of Mumbai, making it the first city in India to own a car.

18. Mumbai is a research hub

The fact that various national and international research institutes in Mumbai such as the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Cancer Research Institute, and others contribute to Mumbai’s position as India’s research hub. Whether you are seeking a thorough research program with a strong emphasis on learning theoretical approach that allows you to delve deeply into the complexities of your chosen subject there is bound to be a research center in Mumbai that matches your demands.

19. Mumbai’s architecture is a diverse blend of architectural styles

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Mumbai’s architectural legacy and its famed street cuisine ‘Bombay Bhel’ are inextricably linked. Like ‘bhel’, an accidental mixing and layering of various flavors and tastes, Mumbai’s architecture is a diverse amalgamation of architectural styles such as Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic, and Contemporary architectural styles. Mumbai has a rich architectural past with many ancient areas and landmarks. People from various walks of life have adapted to the fast pace of this metropolis and coexisted, giving the city a diverse and distinct cultural fabric.

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20. Mumbai has the oldest stock exchange in Asia

The BSE, formerly known as the Bombay Stock Market, is Asia’s oldest stock market. Mr. Premchand Roychand founded the Native Share & Stock Brokers Association in 1875. It was the first stock exchange identified under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act of 1956 in 1957. It is the world’s quickest and largest stock exchange in terms of organizations listed on it, with over 4500 companies and over 2.6 crore investors. It is the tenth largest exchange in terms of the market capitalization of listed firms, which exceeds one hundred trillion rupees. The exchange is also the main forum for Small and Medium Enterprises.

21. Mumbai is an international trading port

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Mumbai Port is the largest port in India in terms of size and marine activity. The Mumbai Port is a natural harbor located in west Mumbai on India’s western coast. The water depths reach 10-12 meters, allowing huge cargo ships to dock and pass easily. The port is vital to the Indian economy and trade activities, handling around 20% of India’s foreign trade. It has four jetties that handle a variety of imports and exports such as crude and petroleum oil, liquid chemicals, textiles, tobacco, manganese, leather, and heavy machinery.

22. Mumbai has a tropical climate that is both wet and dry

Mumbai’s climate can be described as tropical, moist, and dry. The climate of Mumbai is best described as moderately hot with considerable humidity. It is a coastal region, and the tropical climate ensures that temperatures do not vary significantly throughout the year. The daytime highs are approximately 32.4°C. The nights in early December do not drop below 18 degrees Celsius.

23. The Mumbai-Pune railway line was built by a woman

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Mumbai’s quick local trains are well-known sources of transportation. What we may not know is that the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune was built by a woman, Alice Tredwell! Alice Tredwell was a railway contractor and photographer from England. She completed the Bhor Ghat portion of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway line between Mumbai and Pune in 1863.

24. The author of The Jungle Book was born in Mumbai

The author of The Jungle Book Rudyard Kipling was born in Mumbai 158 years ago today, and while his birth home has since been renovated and restored, the mint green-painted wooden cottage that now stands in its stead has become a shrine to the writer. Outside the ‘Kipling Bungalow’ is a slightly weathered bust and a plaque commemorating the writer, while the bungalow is surrounded by dense greenery in the center of the Sir JJ School of Art in central Mumbai.

25. Flamingos flock to Mumbai every year

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Thousands of flamingos migrate to Mumbai every year. During the summer, these birds are thought to travel from Gujarat to Maharashtra in search of food and water. The sight of flamingos in this city is spectacular. Quite attractive! The entire Navi Mumbai area is painted pink every year, which draws a large number of visitors. People from neighboring towns and cities come to witness the transformation of the shore.

Mumbai has something for everyone. It’s a city where diversity reigns supreme! In Mumbai, you may sample everything from street food to 5-star dining. You have the option of traveling in the luxury of a chauffeured sedan or experiencing the hustle and bustle of a local railway. Mumbai has some of the top hotels in the world for the creature of comfort, as well as slum excursions for those interested in exploring Mumbai’s underbelly!