MUMBAI, the capital of Maharashtra is the financial hub of India with the world’s largest film industry producing over 490 films annually. Its port is the busiest and the largest and its population is cosmopolitan in nature. Along with some of the richest people in the world, it has Asia’s largest slum at Dharavi, which is in the heart of the city. It is a vibrant city throbbing with life. It therefore attracts people from all over the country to come and settle down here and become localised.
Topographically Mumbai is situated in a low-lying plain flanked by two ridges of low hills in east and west. Malabar Hill is the highest point. One-fourth of the city lies below the sea level in the form of a shallow palm with raised edges. In 1661, King Charles II of England married Catherine of Braganza and Mumbai was given as dowry to her. These islands of Bombay were leased out to the British East India Company by the British Government in 1668. In 1862, the islands were merged into a single city in a major land reclamation project. In 1853, the first railway line of India was laid between Bombay and Thane.
At the end of the book, yellow pages with addresses and phone numbers and important sites have been provided. It is a handy guide for tourists.
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