Barisal District, officially spelled Barishal District from April 2018,[3] is a district in south-central Bangladesh, formerly called Bakerganj district, established in 1797.[4] Its headquarters are in the city of Barisal, which is also the headquarters of Barisal Division.[5]
![]() | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
Barisal District
বরিশাল জেলা | |
---|---|
District | |
Barishal District | |
From top: City skyline, Guthia Mosque, Durga Sagar lake, Oxford Mission Church, Brojomohun College, Bell's Park aka Bangabandhu Udyan, Kasba Mosque, Paddle steamer at Kirtonkhola River port, Satlar Bil, Manasa Mandir of Bijoy Gupta and Ulania Zamnindar Bari Mosque. | |
![]() Location of Barisal District in Bangladesh | |
![]() Expandable map of Barisal District | |
Coordinates: 22.80°N 90.37°E / 22.80; 90.37 | |
Country | ![]() |
Division | Barisal |
Bakerganj District | 1797 |
Seat | Barisal |
Government | |
• Deputy Commissioner | S.M. Ajior Rahman |
• District Council Chairman | Md. Moidul Islam[1] |
• Chief Executive Officer | Md. Monik-har Rahman |
Area | |
• Total | 2,784.52 km2 (1,075.11 sq mi) |
Census 2011 | |
Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 2,570,450 |
• Density | 920/km2 (2,400/sq mi) |
Demonyms | Barisali, Borishailla |
Time zone | UTC+06:00 (BST) |
Postal code | 8200 |
HDI (2018) | 0.672[2] medium · 2nd of 21 |
Barisal District is a district in southern Bangladesh and is also the headquarter of Barisal Division.[5] Barisal District traces its origins to Bakerganj district which was established in 1797. It was placed in Barisal Division on 1 January 1993.[4]
Notable educational institutions in Barisal include
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1974 | 1,648,068 | — |
1981 | 1,965,950 | +2.55% |
1991 | 2,207,426 | +1.17% |
2001 | 2,355,967 | +0.65% |
2011 | 2,324,310 | −0.14% |
Sources:[6] |
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Barisal district had a population was 2,324,310, of which 1,137,210 were males and 1,187,100 females. Rural population was 1,805,294 (77.67%) while the urban population was 519,016 (22.33%). Barisal district had a literacy rate of 61.24% for the population 7 years and above: 61.88% for males and 60.63% for females.[6]
Religions in Barisal district (2011)[6] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | Percent | |||
Muslims | 87.77% | |||
Hindus | 11.69% | |||
Christians | 0.53% | |||
Other or not stated | 0.01% |
Religion | Population (1941)[7]: 100–101 | Percentage (1941) | Population (2011)[6] | Percentage (2011) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Islam ![]() |
724,289 | 66.17% | 2,040,088 | 87.77% |
Hinduism ![]() |
361,602 | 33.04% | 271,706 | 11.69% |
Christianity ![]() |
8,536 | 0.78% | 12,277 | 0.53% |
Others [lower-alpha 2] | 173 | 0.02% | 289 | 0.01% |
Total Population | 1,094,600 | 100% | 2,324,310 | 100% |
Islam is the predominant religion in the district with a large Hindu population. Historically, the Barisal region has seen one of the highest concentration of Hindus since the area had been part of the British Raj, through the rule of East Pakistan and subsequently after the independence of Bangladesh. However since Partition Hindus have been fleeing the district in large numbers. Among the 10 upazilas of the district, the Agailjhara Upazila has the highest percentage share of Hindus at 42 per cent, while the Muladi Upazila has the lowest at just 1.8 per cent, according to the 2011 Bangladesh census.
Overall, minority populations have seen a steep drop in their share of the total population, as well as a fall in their absolute numbers in Barisal district. The trend is similar to other districts in the wider Barisal division.
Barisal District is divided into the following Upazilas (formerly called Thanas):
![]() | ||
---|---|---|
Barisal Division |
| ![]() |
Chittagong Division | ||
Dhaka Division | ||
Khulna Division | ||
Mymensingh Division | ||
Rajshahi Division | ||
Rangpur Division | ||
Sylhet Division |
![]() | ||
---|---|---|
Ministry of Public Administration Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives | ||
Major cities (11) (City Corporations) |
| ![]() |
Cities (32) (Municipal Corporations) | ||
Towns |
|
General | |
---|---|
National libraries | |
Other |
|