Maharashtra, a state spanning west-central India, is best known for its fast-paced capital, Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Located in the West region, it is the third largest state of India by size and the second largest by population. It stretches from the west coast to the interior regions and its climate too varies with its geography. Agriculturally too, the state is one of India's more advanced and well-irrigated. The northern and eastern parts of the state, however lag behind the western region.