Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is an amalgamation of seven islands - Colaba, Mumbai, Mazagaon, Old Woman's island, Wadala, Mahim, Parel, and Matunga Sion. The Portuguese called the islands "Bombay" meaning "Good Bay".

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India and houses important financial institutions, such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the corporate headquarters of many companies.

The city is also home to India's Hindi film and television industry known as Bollywood - the biggest film producing industry in the world. Films and everything to do with films is BIG here. Cinema halls like Regal, Metro, and Liberty still carry on with the tradition of lavish premiers while multiplexes like INOX, Fame Adlabs, and IMAX are forever booked for the latest in Hindi and English flicks.

Places of historical interest are The Gateway of India, Mani Bhawan, The Prince of Wales Museum, Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) Victoria Gardens and Museum, The Jehangir Art Gallery, Nehru Planetarium and Nehru Science Centre, The General Post Office, Town Hall (now the Asiatic library).