Dharavi, Mumbai

Dharavi, situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is recognized as one of the largest slums in Asia. It covers a land area slightly exceeding 2.1 square kilometers (0.81 square miles or 520 acres) and is inhabited by around one million people. The population density in Dharavi is extremely high, with over 277,136 individuals per square kilometer (717,780 per square mile), making it one of the most densely populated areas globally.

Established in 1884 during the British colonial period, Dharavi grew due to the relocation of factories and residents from the city center and the influx of rural Indians into urban Mumbai. As a result, Dharavi has evolved into a highly diverse community in terms of religion and ethnicity.

Dharavi boasts a thriving informal economy, with numerous small-scale businesses that provide employment to a significant portion of the slum's residents. These businesses produce various items, such as leather goods, textiles, and pottery. The combined annual economic activity in Dharavi has been estimated to exceed one billion US dollars.

Throughout its history, Dharavi has faced numerous epidemics and disasters, including a major plague outbreak in 1896 that resulted in the deaths of more than half of Mumbai's population. Sanitary conditions in the slum continue to be subpar.