Barisal Division
Barishal (also spelt Barisāl) is a division of south-central Bangladesh. It used to be a district called Bakerganj. It is now one of 6 divisions of Bangladesh, but before Bangladeshi independence it was formerly part of East Pakistan as a district. The town of Barishal was under the control of the Roychoudhury family, which now has moved to Calcutta.
|
বরিশাল বিভাগ Bakerganj | |
|---|---|
 Barishal Division in Bangladesh | |
| Coordinates: 22°30′N 90°20′E / 22.500°N 90.333°ECoordinates: 22°30′N 90°20′E / 22.500°N 90.333°E | |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Established | 1797 (as Bakerganj District) |
| Capital | Barishal city |
| Government | |
| • Commissioner | Mohammad Gaus |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13,225.20 km2 (5,106.28 sq mi) |
| Population (2011 census) | |
| • Total | 8,325,666 |
| • Density | 629.53044/km2 (1,630.4764/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
| ISO 3166 code | BD-A |
| Districts | 6 |
| Sub-Districts | 41 |
| Union Councils | 352 |
| Website | barisaldiv.gov.bd |
History
British rule
In 1797 the area was established as Bakerganj District but later renamed as Barisal District.
Points of interest
Kuakata beach is the main tourist spot in the division. It is one of the two sea beaches in South Asia where both sunrise and sunset at sea can be seen.
Durga Sagor is another beautiful Dighi where a number of migratory birds arrive every winter. There are 42 upazilas in total in Barisal division: most recent upazilas are Rangabali in Patuakhali and Taltoli in Barguna.
Administrative Divisions
The division is subdivided into six districts (zilas) and thence into 39 sub-districts (upazilas). Lower level administrative areas are 353 union parishads, 3,159 mouzas, 12 municipalities, 25 wards and 4,163 villages.
| Name | Capital | Area (km²) | Population
(2011) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barishal District | Barisal | 2,784.52 | 2,324,310 |
| Barguna District | Barguna | 1,831.31 | 892,781 |
| Bhola District | Bhola | 3,403.48 | 1,776,795 |
| Jhalokati District | Jhalokati | 706.76 | 682,669 |
| Patuakhali District | Patuakhali | 3,221.31 | 1,535,854 |
| Pirojpur District | Pirojpur | 1,277.80 | 1,113,257 |
| Total Division | Barishal | 13,255.20 | 8,325,666 |
Barisal Division Media
Sunrise at Kuakata sea beach, Barisal
Academic buildings of the University of Barisal
Brojomohun College, established in 1889
