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Rangpur Division

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Rangpur Division is a major administrative region in Bangladesh.

Rangpur in Bangladesh
Rangpur in Bangladesh

It occupies the northernmost part of the country. The division is bordered by the Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions. It also shares international borders with several Indian states. These include West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya.

Rangpur Division districts map
Rangpur Division districts map

The Siliguri Corridor separates the region from Bhutan and Nepal. To the north, the Indian state of Sikkim is also nearby. Large rivers like the Teesta and Jamuna flow through this landscape. These water systems are vital to the geography of the area.

The history of Rangpur involves many different rulers. In 1575, a commander named Mansingh conquered part of the region. This was during the time of Emperor Akbar. Eventually, the entire area came under Mughal empire rule in 1686. You can still see traces of this period today. For example, Mughalbasa and Mughalhat in the Kurigram district show marks of Mughal rule. During this era, the land was divided into administrative units called sarkars. Ghoraghat was one such unit and is mentioned in the book Riyaz-us-Salatin. Later, during the rule of the East India Company, the area saw the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion and peasant rebellions.

Today, the division is organized into eight distinct districts.

Rangpur Division districts map
Rangpur Division districts map

These districts are Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, and Thakurgaon. Under these eight districts, there are 58 upazilas, which are subdistricts. The administrative headquarters is located in Rangpur City. This city is also the largest urban center in the division. The region contains one city corporation and 21 pourasavas. There are also 536 union councils serving the population. This structure helps manage the needs of the many people living there.

The population of Rangpur Division is quite large. According to the 2022 census, there are 17,610,956 inhabitants. This results in a population density of 1,088 people per square kilometer. This is an increase from the 2011 census, which recorded 15,787,758 people. In 2011, the density was 980 people per square kilometer. Most residents are Muslims, making up 86.51% of the population. Hindus represent approximately 12.98% of the people. Bengalis are the largest ethnic community. Other native groups include the Santal, Munda, Oraon, Rajbanshi, Kaibarta, Koch, and Harijan.

Economically, the division has undergone a massive transformation. In 2016, World Bank data showed it was one of the poorest divisions. Over one-third of the population lived in extreme poverty then. However, industrial growth and better infrastructure have changed this.

Bangladesh Bank Rangpur City
Bangladesh Bank Rangpur City

There are now thriving industries in food processing, textiles, and light engineering. Cities like Rangpur and Saidpur are major centers for this work. Manufacturing units for ceramics, electronics, and consumer goods have appeared. Saidpur has a long history with railway workshops from the British era. The expansion of natural gas lines and better roads has supported this progress. By 2026, the region even expanded into the technology sector. The Rangpur Hi-Tech Park hosts cybersecurity firms like DentiSystems.

Traveling around the division is possible by air, rail, or road.

BRTC-1
BRTC-1

The N5 National Highway connects the division to the capital. There are 21 express inter-city trains that connect the districts to other parts of the country. For air travel, Saidpur Airport is the most important hub.

Fulsori Ghat Gaibandha
Fulsori Ghat Gaibandha

People often fly from Dhaka to Saidpur, a distance of 254.28 kilometers. There are seven daily flights on this route. The climate in the region is warm and temperate. It receives an annual rainfall of 2,498 mm. The average temperature is 24.3 °C. The hottest months are usually in August, while January is the coldest. March is notable for having the most sunshine, averaging 9.51 hours per day.

Visitors can find many interesting landmarks throughout the division.

Front view of Tajhat Landlord's Palace in Rangpur, Bangladesh
Front view of Tajhat Landlord's Palace in Rangpur, Bangladesh

The Tajhat Palace in Rangpur City is a very popular monument.

Nawabganj National Park Dinajpur 3254
Nawabganj National Park Dinajpur 3254

In Dinajpur, people visit the Nawabganj National Park.

Teesta Barrage Bangladesh
Teesta Barrage Bangladesh

The Teesta Barrage in Lalmonirhat is another major center. It features canals, forestry, and stone banks that attract visitors.

In Saidpur, the Chini Mosque is a notable site.

Tea Garden at Tetulia
Tea Garden at Tetulia

In Panchagarh, the tea gardens of Tetulia offer a beautiful view. These sites show the diverse culture and natural beauty of the region.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Rangpur in Bangladesh.svg
Rangpur in Bangladesh.svg
File:Rangpur Division districts map.png
Rangpur Division districts map.png
File:Rangpur division relief map.svg
Rangpur division relief map.svg
File:NH-5 BGD.svg
NH-5 BGD.svg
File:Tabliczka AH2.svg
Tabliczka AH2.svg
File:Bangladesh Bank Rangpur City.jpg
Bangladesh Bank Rangpur City.jpg
File:BRTC-1.jpg
BRTC-1.jpg
File:Front view of Tajhat Landlord's Palace in Rangpur, Bangladesh.jpg
Front view of Tajhat Landlord's Palace in...
File:Nawabganj National Park Dinajpur 3254.jpg
Nawabganj National Park Dinajpur 3254.jpg
File:Teesta Barrage Bangladesh.jpg
Teesta Barrage Bangladesh.jpg
File:চিনি মসজিদ.jpg
চিনি মসজিদ.jpg
File:Fulsori Ghat Gaibandha.jpg
Fulsori Ghat Gaibandha.jpg

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