Lesson 2/35 min
The 8 divisions and 64 districts
The country is divided into 8 divisions. In order of creation: Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur and, the latest, Mymensingh. A division is headed by a Commissioner.
Divisions, their districts and counts (64 in all)
| Division | Districts | No. |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari | 13 |
| Chattogram | Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Chandpur, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria | 11 |
| Khulna | Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, Magura, Jhenaidah, Narail, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga | 10 |
| Rajshahi | Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Sirajganj, Bogura, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Pabna | 8 |
| Rangpur | Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur | 8 |
| Barishal | Barishal, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola | 6 |
| Sylhet | Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulvibazar | 4 |
| Mymensingh | Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Netrokona, Sherpur | 4 |
Did you know?: Each division has a district with the same name (for example Barishal district in Barishal Division), which is its headquarters. Dhaka Division has the most districts (13); Sylhet and Mymensingh the fewest (4 each).
When each division was created
| Division | Fact |
|---|---|
| Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram | The first divisions were formed in 1829 under British rule; in today's Bangladesh territory these three |
| Khulna | 1960, from parts of Rajshahi and Dhaka (Zubair) |
| Barishal | 1 January 1993 |
| Sylhet | 1 August 1995 |
| Rangpur | 25 January 2010 |
| Mymensingh | 2015; it was part of Dhaka Division; the 8th and latest division |
Watch out: A Zubair photo caption gives 1998 for Sylhet Division, but Banglapedia says 1 August 1995. The exact date for Mymensingh also differs by source (Khandokar: 13 October 2015; other sources: declared 12 January and formally announced 14 September 2015), so only the year 2015 is used. The 1960 date for Khulna could not be confirmed independently.
Worth knowing
- During the Liberation War there were 4 divisions and 19 districts
- In 1982 the English spelling Dacca became Dhaka to match the Bangla pronunciation (Zubair)
- Tradition says Ballal Sen found an image of Durga on the Buriganga and built the Dhakeshwari temple; some think Dhaka took its name from it (Zubair)
- Proposed divisions: Padma and Meghna; proposed 65th district: Bhairab (Khandokar; printed only as proposals)
- The current structure of 8 divisions and 64 districts is the one in force
Division records
| Item | Division |
|---|---|
| First division | Dhaka |
| Largest by area | Chattogram |
| Smallest by area | Mymensingh |
| Largest / smallest by population | Dhaka / Barishal |
| Higher / lower density | Dhaka / Barishal |
| Faster / slower growth rate | Sylhet / Barishal |
| More / less forest | Chattogram / Rajshahi |
| Literacy higher / lower | Barishal / Sylhet |
| Poverty higher / lower | Barishal / Sylhet |
Watch out: These rankings come from Zubair's book, based on the 2011 census. Census 2022 gives Dhaka Division the highest literacy (78.09%) and Mymensingh the lowest (67.09%). So there is no quiz on the literacy, poverty or growth-rate rankings; check the year of the data in an exam question.
Administrative reform: two institutions
| Body | Facts |
|---|---|
| NICAR (National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms) | Founded 1982; considers proposals to form new divisions, districts, city corporations, upazilas, thanas and municipalities and to redraw boundaries; convener is the Prime Minister (as printed) |
| NILG (National Institute of Local Government) | 1 July 1969; Humayun Road, Dhaka; under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives; headed by a Director General; aims to develop human resources for local government |
Check yourself
Which division is the smallest by area and also the most recently formed?
At a glance
- 1
8 divisions, 64 districts: Dhaka 13, Chattogram 11, Khulna 10, Rajshahi 8, Rangpur 8, Barishal 6, Sylhet 4, Mymensingh 4.
- 2
First division Dhaka (1829); latest Mymensingh (2015), also the smallest by area; largest Chattogram.
- 3
Barishal 1 Jan 1993, Sylhet 1 Aug 1995, Rangpur 25 Jan 2010.
- 4
A division is headed by a Commissioner; in the Liberation War there were 4 divisions and 19 districts.
- 5
NICAR was founded in 1982; NILG on 1 July 1969, Humayun Road, Dhaka.