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Barisal

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Barisal is a major city in south-central Bangladesh.

Barisal Cityscape, 2015
Barisal Cityscape, 2015

It sits on the banks of the Kirtankhola river. Many other rivers like the Arial Khan and Sandha flow through the area too. Because there is so much water, boats are very important for travel. People once called this place the Venice of the East.

Bell's Park, Barishal Aerial view
Bell's Park, Barishal Aerial view

This name describes the huge network of waterways that surround the city.

The city is a very important center for money and business. It is the third largest financial hub in Bangladesh, after Dhaka and Chittagong. The city covers an area of 58 square kilometers. According to the 2023 census, about 533,000 people live there. Most people are Bengalis and they often speak an Eastern Bengali dialect.

Miah Bari Mosque, Barisal
Miah Bari Mosque, Barisal

The city is divided into 30 wards and 50 mahallas.

Barisal has a very long and interesting history. The land was formed by sediment from the Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna rivers. Long ago, the region was part of the ancient Gangaridai kingdom. In 1797, it was part of the British administration in India. The city became an official municipality in 1876. Later, it was upgraded to a City Corporation on July 25, 2002.

Cotton Spinning Shed
Cotton Spinning Shed

There are many special sights to see in and around the city. You can visit Durga Sagar, which is a massive pond. It was dug in 1780 by Rani Durgavati. The pond is about 2,500 hectares in size and has an island in the middle. Another famous spot is the Lakhutia estate.

Lakhutia Zamindar Bari
Lakhutia Zamindar Bari

This site has old ruins and Shiva temples.

Lakhutia Shiva Temples
Lakhutia Shiva Temples

Even though parts were destroyed in the past, it is still a top place for tourists.

People in Barisal also love to stay active with sports. Cricket and football are the two most popular games. There is a large national stadium called the Barisal Divisional Stadium. It can hold 15,000 spectators for big matches. The city also has its own airport for domestic flights.

Miah Bari Mosque, Barisal
Miah Bari Mosque, Barisal

This helps people connect the city to other parts of the country.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Bell's Park, Barishal Aerial view.jpg
Bell's Park, Barishal Aerial view.jpg
File:Barisal Cityscape, 2015.jpg
Barisal Cityscape, 2015.jpg
File:Lakhutia Zamindar Bari.png
Lakhutia Zamindar Bari.png
File:Lakhutia Shiva Temples.png
Lakhutia Shiva Temples.png
File:Miah Bari Mosque, Barisal.jpg
Miah Bari Mosque, Barisal.jpg
File:Cotton Spinning Shed.jpg
Cotton Spinning Shed.jpg
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