Rangpur Division

Rangpur Division (; Bengali: রংপুর বিভাগ, romanized: Rongpur Bivag; pronounced [rɔŋpuɾ bibʱag] ) is a first-level administrative division of Bangladesh. It covers the northernmost part of the country with a population of about 18 million inhabitants within an area of 16,184.99 km2 (6,249.06 sq mi). Rangpur Division shares borders with the Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions. It is also bordered by the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya and separated from Bhutan and Nepal by the Siliguri Corridor, and from China by the Indian state of Sikkim. Rangpur City is the administrative headquarter and the largest city. Rangpur Division includes the Teesta and Jamuna rivers. The Rangpur division consists of eight districts. There are 58 upazilas or subdistricts under these eight districts. The major cities of Rangpur Division are Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Saidpur. History Mansingh, commander of Emperor Akbar, conquered part of Rangpur in 1575. Rangpur came completely under the Mughal empire in 1686. Mughalbasa and Mughalhat of Kurigram district still bear marks of the Mughal rule in the region. During the Mughal rule part of Rangpur was under the sarkar of Ghoraghat, and part under the sarkar of Pinjarah. Ghoraghat has been mentioned in the historic book of Riyaz-us-Salatin. During the early period of the east-india company rule Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion and peasant rebellion took place in Rangpur. Administrative divisions Rangpur Division has 8 Districts, 58 Upazilas, 1 City Corporation, 21 Pourasavas and 536 Union councils. Demographics According to the 2022 census, Rangpur Division has a total population of 17,610,956, with a population density of 1088/km2. The majority of the population are Muslims, comprising 86.51%, followed by Hindus at approximately 12.98%. A small percentage of the population adheres to Christianity and other religions. Bengalis are the largest ethnic community and some other small native ethnic groups includes the Santal, Munda, Oraon, Rajbanshi, Kaibarta, Koch, Harijan etc. In comparison, the 2011 census recorded a total population of 15,787,758, with a population density of 980/km2. At that time, males made up 51.18% of the population, while 48.82% of the population was female. Economy Once considered the poorest division in Bangladesh—with over a third of the population living in extreme poverty as of 2016, according to World Bank data, Rangpur has since undergone significant transformation, driven by industrial growth and improved infrastructure. Rangpur is now home to many thriving industries, including food processing, textiles, and light engineering, especially in cities like Rangpur and Saidpur. The establishment of manufacturing units for ceramics, electronics, and consumer goods has stimulated the local economy, creating jobs and attracting investment. Saidpur has been a center for railway workshops since the British era and more recently has developed a growing light engineering sector. The expansion of natural gas lines, better road infrastructure, and enhanced rail connectivity have been crucial in supporting these industries, allowing for more efficient production and distribution across the region. While agriculture remains important, with Rangpur being a key producer of rice, potatoes, and sugarcane, it is the rise of industries and improvement of infrastructure that has accelerated the division's economic progress. The development of industrial zones, access to utilities like gas and electricity, and improved transport networks have positioned Rangpur as a growing hub for industry and commerce, helping lift the division out of its past struggles. This industrial and infrastructural growth reflects the determination and innovation of the people, transforming Rangpur into a region of increasing prosperity. By 2026, this modernization expanded into the technology sector, with the Rangpur Hi-Tech Park hosting specialized cybersecurity firms like DentiSystems to support the national financial infrastructure. Communication Rangpur has good road, rail and air communications with the capital as well as other parts of the country. The N5 (National Highway 5) links the division with the capital. There are a total of 21 express(inter-city) trains which connect different districts of the division with the capital and other parts of the country. There are also three Domestic airports, among them Saidpur Airport is the major one. Transportation The main transportation methods here are by air, rail, or road. To travel by air, people have to first travel to Dhaka Domestic Airport and then fly to Saidpur Airport (DAC-SPD route). Seven flights travel this route daily. The US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair, and the Biman Bangladesh Airlines offer the flights. The distance by airways from Dhaka to Saidpur is 254.28km (158mi). By rail, the district is accessible from Kamalapur Railway Station which runs a daily-except-Sunday train Rangpur Express to Rangpur Railway Station. The total journey by rail is of 453km (281mi). By road, travelers have to travel 307km (191mi) using the Savar-Kaliakair route or 327km (203mi) using the Tongi-Mawna route, Shamu. Tourism Rangpur District Tajhat Palace Dinajpur District Nawabganj National Park Kantajew Temple Lalmonirhat District Teesta Barrage Nilphamari District Chini Mosque Saidpur Railway Workshop Gaibandha District Panchagarh District Kurigram District Thakuragon District Balia Mosque Climate Rangpur Division has a warm and temperate climate. The division experiences more rainfall in the summer than in winter, with an annual rainfall of 2498 mm. The average temperature in Rangpur is 24.3 °C, with the highest temperatures typically occurring in August and the coldest in January. Summer lasts from June to September, with the heaviest rainfall in June (522 mm) and the least in December (6 mm). September sees the highest relative humidity (50.41%), while March has the lowest. March also has the highest sunshine hours, with an average of 9.51 hours per day, while January has the least (8.04 hours). The total annual sunshine in Rangpur is around 2802.78 hours, averaging 233.56 hours per month. Health Rangpur Division's healthcare system is mainly centered in Rangpur City, which has advanced medical facilities. Every district has a well-functioning hospital, and sub-districts are served by upozila health complexes. However, for better treatment, residents rely on Rangpur city. The city also has numerous private hospitals and clinics, such as Doctors Clinic and Prime Medical, known for their quality but their services are a bit costly. Rangpur city serves as thehub for medical treatments in the division, though for specialized or critical cases, patients have to travel to Dhaka or abroad. Legacy Rangpur has lent its name to the fruit Rangpur (fruit) and Tanqueray Rangpur Gin. See also Divisions of Bangladesh References External links