# Rangpur Division

Rangpur Division (/rʌŋˈpʊər/; Bengali: রংপুর বিভাগ, romanized: Rongpur Bivag; pronounced ) 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 km$^2$ (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 Riyaz-us-Salatin. During the early period of the company rule Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion and peasant rebellion were held in Rangpur.

## Administrative divisions

Rangpur Division has 8 Districts, 58 Upazilas, 1 City Corporation, 21 Pourasavas and 536 Union councils.
Districts of Rangpur Division :
| District Name | Capital | Area (km$^2$) | Population (2022) |
| Rangpur District | Rangpur | 2,400.56 | 3,169,615 |
| Dinajpur District | Dinajpur | 3,444.30 | 3,315,238 |
| Kurigram District | Kurigram | 2,245.04 | 2,329,161 |
| Gaibandha District | Gaibandha | 2,179.27 | 2,562,232 |
| Lalmonirhat District | Lalmonirhat | 1,247.371 | 1,428,406 |
| Nilphamari District | Nilphamari | 1,643.70 | 2,092,567 |
| Panchagarh District | Panchagarh | 1,404.63 | 1,179,843 |
| Thakurgaon District | Thakurgaon | 1,781.74 | 1,533,894 |
| Total Districts | 8 | 16,184.99 | 17,610,956 |

## Demographics

Religions in Rangpur division (2022) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Muslims | Muslims | 86.51% | 86.51% |
| Hindus | Hindus | 12.98% | 12.98% |
| Christians | Christians | 0.41% | 0.41% |
| Buddhism | Buddhism | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Other or not stated | Other or not stated | 0.08% | 0.08% |
According to the 2022 census, Rangpur Division has a total population of 17,610,956, with a population density of 1088/km$^2$.
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 with some other small native ethnic groups including the Santal, Munda, Oraon, and Rajbanshi including Kaibarta and Koch etc.
In comparison, the 2011 census recorded a total population of 15,787,758, with a population density of 980/km$^2$. At that time, males made up 51.18% of the population, while 48.82% was female.

## Economy

Once considered the poorest division in Bangladesh, with over a third of the population living in extreme poverty in 2016, according to World Bank data, Rangpur has seen a major transformation, largely driven by industrial growth and improved infrastructure. Rangpur is now home to 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 also become a center for railway workshops and an expanding light engineering sector. The expansion of natural gas lines, better road infrastructure, and enhanced rail connectivity have been crucial to 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 industry and 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.

## 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 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 254.28 km (158 mi). 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 453 km (281 mi). By road, travelers have to travel 307 km (191 mi) using the Savar-Kaliakair route or 327 km (203 mi) using the Tongi-Mawna route, Shamu.

## 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. The month with the most rainfall is July, and the least are December and January.
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.
vteClimate data for Rangpur (1991–2020, extremes 1883-present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 29.4 (84.9) | 34.4 (93.9) | 43.3 (109.9) | 42.5 (108.5) | 41.2 (106.2) | 38.2 (100.8) | 38.4 (101.1) | 39.8 (103.6) | 38.5 (101.3) | 37.2 (99.0) | 33.4 (92.1) | 30.6 (87.1) | 43.3 (109.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.8 (73.0) | 26.4 (79.5) | 30.3 (86.5) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.9 (89.4) | 32.1 (89.8) | 32.1 (89.8) | 32.5 (90.5) | 31.9 (89.4) | 31.0 (87.8) | 28.7 (83.7) | 25.0 (77.0) | 29.7 (85.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.1 (61.0) | 19.5 (67.1) | 23.7 (74.7) | 26.2 (79.2) | 27.5 (81.5) | 28.5 (83.3) | 28.9 (84.0) | 29.1 (84.4) | 28.3 (82.9) | 26.5 (79.7) | 22.5 (72.5) | 18.3 (64.9) | 24.6 (76.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.9 (51.6) | 13.7 (56.7) | 17.6 (63.7) | 21.3 (70.3) | 23.4 (74.1) | 25.3 (77.5) | 26.2 (79.2) | 26.3 (79.3) | 25.5 (77.9) | 22.9 (73.2) | 17.7 (63.9) | 13.3 (55.9) | 20.3 (68.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 3.5 (38.3) | 3.7 (38.7) | 8.6 (47.5) | 14.7 (58.5) | 16.4 (61.5) | 19.4 (66.9) | 21.1 (70.0) | 20.7 (69.3) | 19.1 (66.4) | 14.2 (57.6) | 10.1 (50.2) | 5.2 (41.4) | 3.5 (38.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 9 (0.4) | 10 (0.4) | 27 (1.1) | 121 (4.8) | 277 (10.9) | 426 (16.8) | 416 (16.4) | 343 (13.5) | 382 (15.0) | 171 (6.7) | 6 (0.2) | 4 (0.2) | 2,192 (86.4) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 108 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 82 | 75 | 68 | 74 | 81 | 85 | 86 | 85 | 87 | 84 | 80 | 81 | 81 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 184.6 | 206.9 | 239.3 | 210.0 | 199.4 | 150.2 | 154.9 | 172.0 | 165.5 | 227.8 | 236.6 | 214.8 | 2,362 |
| Source 1: NOAA ||||||||||||||
| Source 2: Bangladesh Meteorological Department (humidity 1981-2010) ||||||||||||||

## 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 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 expensive services. Rangpur city serves as the hub for medical treatments in the division, though for specialized or critical cases, patients travel to Dhaka or abroad.

## Legacy

Rangpur has lent its name to the fruit Rangpur (fruit) and Tanqueray Rangpur Gin.