Rangpur Division
রংপুর বিভাগ | |
|---|---|
Balia Mosque in Thakurgaon Phulchari Ghat in Gaibandha | |
| Nickname: | |
  | |
| Coordinates: 25°50′N 89°00′E / 25.833°N 89.000°E | |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Established | 1 July 2010 |
| Capital and largest city | Rangpur City |
| Government | |
| • Divisional Commissioner | Md. Ajmol Hossain [1] |
| • DIG | Aminul Islam |
| • Parliamentary constituency | Jatiya Sangsad (33 seats) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16,184.99 km2 (6,249.06 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Total | 17,610,956 |
| • Density | 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Rangpuriya |
| Languages | |
| • Official language | Bengali[2] |
| • Regional language | Rangpuri |
| • Indigenous minority languages | |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
| ISO 3166 code | BD-F |
| HDI (2022) | 0.656[3] medium |
| Notable cricket teams | Rangpur Riders, Rangpur Division |
| Website | www |
Rangpur Division (Bengali: রংপুর বিভাগ) is one of the Divisions in Bangladesh. It was formed on 25 January 2010,[4] as Bangladesh's 7th division. Before that, it was under Rajshahi Division. The Rangpur division consists of eight districts. There are 58 Upazilas or subdistricts under these eight districts. Rangpur is the northernmost division of Bangladesh and has a population of 17,610,956 in the 2022 Census.
The major cities of Rangpur Division are Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Saidpur. 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,[5] 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.
- ^ "Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur".
- ^ "The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh". Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- ^ "Subnational HDI (v8.0)".
- ^ Rajib Mondal (2012). "Rangpur Division". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ "Geospatial Poverty Portal: Interactive Maps". World Bank. Retrieved 2024-01-22.