"Mumbai--the San Francisco of India" a Mumbai Travel Page by atufft

Find the facts elsewhere, but this place easily dwarfs New York or Los Angeles in terms of population. The city was called Bombay by the British, a word of obscure origins that may date back to the Portuguese who secured the port before the British pushed them out. The city is on several islands, now mostly filled into one large one known as Salsette Island. There is a a very nice deep and protected harbor with a focal point at the Gateway of India (see photo). While the city is known for great depths of poverty, a good part of the city is quite pleasant and as liveable as any large city should be. There is plenty to do here. Bear in mind that Mumbai has been the economic engine of India for quite some time, having the movie industry, stock market, largest airport, and many other industries. Most tourists coming to India, will probably stop at Mumbai airiport, before heading on to the capital at Delhi. Unlike smoggy Delhi though, Mumbai restricts the space invading three wheeled 2-stroke motorcycle taxis, and Mumbai is equally less likely to have its streets congested by the animal pulled carts and bicycles found in so many other Indian cities. Needless to say, Mumbai is also a cultural leader of modern India.