Location and City Characteristics

Location & Economy

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Indian Population distribution in 2011. There was over 100 million inhabitants in Maharashtra in 2011. (Click to enlarge)
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A photo of 'The Gateway of India'. Built under British rule in 1911. Designed by George Wittet with a height of 26m. Opened in December of 1924
Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) is the capital city of Maharashtra located on the West coast of India, which is the home to the well known, Bollywood. Bollywood has become a thriving multi-million dollar industry producing more movies than anywhere else in the world, including Hollywood. Along with a thriving film industry, Mumbai is also a leading commercial, financial and industrial Megacity. It has the highest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the South, West and Central Asian regions. It is also the wealthiest city in India which is due to Mumbai being the home to multiple, high-income financial institutions, increasing the poor living standards of Mumbai inhabitants by offering higher paying jobs.

Climate / Weather

During Mumbai's winter, its humidity and rainfall is at its lowest. With daytime temperatures of approx. 30ºC, events and exhibitions are in its prime season. Whereas, in Mumbai's summer, humidity, rainfall and heat increases. With approx. 590 mm of rainfall and extreme temperatures of 34ºC.
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Average Temperatures (ºC) Graph for Mumbai. (Click to enlarge)

Tourism

The Gateway of India (left) is one of the main tourist sites in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is over 90 years old, since its first opening, and took 13 years to build. Some other tourist sites include: Chowpatty Beach, Siddhivinayak Temple, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Elephanta Caves and Island and Essel World. 

Pull factors

After the Bengal Famine in 1943, rural farming jobs were limited, therefore, many moved to urbanised areas as there are greater job opportunities. In Mumbai, there are greater educational and medical services available  as pay is higher in these overpopulated area. Electricity, running water, sewerage, gas and shelter are available a well.

Push factors

In Mumbai, more than 60% of the population live in slums, with no running water or electricity and a long commute to work. Many people also travel in public transport as private transport is unaffordable and roads are congested. Mumbai's trains transport approximately 6 million people a day, each train carrying triple the weight it was built for.

Dharavi Slum

Dharavi Slum is the largest slum in Asia and is home to more than a million inhabitants. This is due to rent being low as $4 a month, in some areas, compared to house rents in the city being among the highest rent in the world. Many buy cheap shelters to earn their living at first but there some second or third-generation residents living there today.


Located in the centre of the city, the Dharavi Slum used to be inhabited by fishermen who moved away after the site became too overcrowded with pollution. Soon after, rural migrants began to inhabit the slums as it was cheap and available.

Want to read more? Learn about Mumbai's Population Characteristics.

Advance you understanding of Mumbai as a Megacity by reading about their migration, languages, religion and more!
Tessa Styles 8C