# Khulna District

Khulna District (Bengali: খুলনা জেলা) is a district of Bangladesh. It is located in the Khulna Division, bordered on the north by Jessore District and Narail District, on the south by the Bay of Bengal, on the east by the Bagerhat District, and on the west by the Satkhira District. It was the first sub-division of United Bengal Province established in 1842. On 1 June 1882, by notification of the official gazette published from Kolkata, Khulna and Bagerhat sub-division of Jessore district and Satkhira sub-division of 24 Pargana district together formed the new district of Khulna.

## Geography and climate

Khulna District has a total area of 4,389.11 square kilometres (1,694.64 sq mi). It borders Jessore District to the north, Narail District to the northeast, Bagerhat District to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the south, and Satkhira District to the west.
Khulna district is mostly flat plains. The northernmost part of the district, north of Khulna town, comprises deltaic silt deposits and is relatively elevated compared to the rest of the district. The central part of the district is relatively lower in elevation and comprises tidal deltaic deposits. The majority of the district was once covered by the Sunderbans, but these now cover only the southern part of the district.
The district is divided by numerous rivers and canals. Major rivers of Khulna District are the Rupsa (a continuation of the Bhairab and Atrai), Arpangachhia, Shibsa, Pasur, and the Koyra.

## History

Khulna saw its rise faster than any other areas of Bangladesh due to its geographical and economical importance. Also settlements dating to 800-900 CE have been found in Rezakpur village in Khulna's Paikgachha Upazila. Muslim rule came to Khulna during the 14th century. The saint Khan Jahan Ali obtained a jagir containing the present district. In the 16th century, Maharaja Pratapaditya ruled present Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts before being defeated by the Mughals Muslim rulers. The region then became a significant part of the Khalifatabad. It came under British rule after the Battle of Plassey.

## Demographics

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Khulna District had 670,861 households and a population of 2,613,385 with an average 3.85 people per household. Among the population, 418,531 inhabitants, or 16.01%, were under 10 years of age. The population density was 595 people per km$^2$. Khulna District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 80.66%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 992 females per 1,000 males. Approximately, 40.83% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 3,260.
Religion in Khulna District (2022) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Islam | Islam | 78.67% | 78.67% |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 20.76% | 20.76% |
| Christianity | Christianity | 0.54% | 0.54% |
| Others | Others | 0.03% | 0.03% |
78.67% of the population was Muslim and 20.76% Hindu at the time of the 2022 census. A small minority of Christians constituted 0.54% of the population.
Religion in present-day Khulna District :
| Religion | 1941$^{:86–87}$ | 1941$^{:86–87}$ | 1981 | 1981 | 1991 | 1991 | 2001 | 2001 | 2011 | 2011 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Religion | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| Hinduism | 366,867 | 58.29% | 501,070 | 28.29% | 517,684 | 25.75% | 540,693 | 22.73% | 525,727 | 22.68% | 542,417 | 20.76% |
| Islam | 260,869 | 41.45% | 1,240,760 | 70.06% | 1,477,802 | 73.50% | 1,821,119 | 76.55% | 1,776,749 | 76.63% | 2,055,902 | 78.67% |
| Christianity | 786 | 0.12% | 26,952 | 1.52% | 13,516 | 0.67% | 15,818 | 0.66% | 15,239 | 0.66% | 14,038 | 0.54% |
| Others | 896 | 0.14% | 2,319 | 0.13% | 1,641 | 0.08% | 1,341 | 0.06% | 812 | 0.03% | 1,028 | 0.03% |
| Total Population | 629,418 | 100% | 1,771,101 | 100% | 2,010,643 | 100% | 2,378,971 | 100% | 2,318,527 | 100% | 2,613,385 | 100% |
Khulna was a Hindu-majority part of Bangladesh before Partition, mainly lower-caste, but during the massive riots in the 1950s and 1960s most of the Hindus there fled to India. The population of Hindus has remained constant since 1981, but their percentages have fallen massively. Christians mainly live in Khulna city and Dacope upazilas.

## Education

Khulna district has about 1,700 primary and secondary schools, and 320,000 pupils. 15% of schools have no drinking water sources. Tubewells (55%) and rainwater harvesting (20%) are common sources of drinking water for schools in this district.
The district contains the following educational institutions:
Schools:
* Government Coronation Secondary Girls' School
* Government Daulatpur Muhsin High School
* Khulna Zilla School
Colleges:
* Govt Majid Memorial City College
* Khulna Government Model School and Collage
* Khulna Medical College
* Khulna Dental College
* Khulna Collectorate Public School and College
Universities:
* Khulna University of Engineering & Technology
* Khulna University
* Khulna Agricultural University
* Sheikh Hasina Medical University

## Healthcare infrastructure

The Khulna district has about 300 healthcare centres according to the Facility Registry of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This includes community clinics, union health centres, union health sub-centres, and upazila health complexes.