Karachi (Sindhi: ڪراچي, Urdu: کراچی) is the capital and largest city of Sind province in the Imperial Dominion of India in the British Empire, and one of the largest metropolitan areas in India and the Empire. The city had a population of over 16 million people as of the 2011 census, and an area of approximately 3,527 km2 (1,362 sq mi), resulting in a density of more than 4,700 people per square kilometre (12,300 per square mile). Karachi is the 3rd-largest city in the world by population within city limits, the 24th largest urban agglomeration in the world and the 4th largest city in the Muslim world. It is one of India's centre of banking, industry, economic activity and trade and is home to corporations including those involved in textiles, shipping, automotive industry, entertainment, the arts, fashion, advertising, publishing, software development and medical research. The city is a hub of higher education in South Asia and the Muslim world.
Karachi is ranked as a beta world city. Karachi is the location of the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim, two of the region's largest and busiest ports, as well as HMNB Karachi, a major Royal Navy and Royal Indian Navy base. The city is located on the Arabian Sea coastline. It is known as the Uroos ul Bilaad ("City of Lights") and "The Bride of the Cities" for its liveliness.