Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh
Cox's Bazar is a coastal district located in the south- eastern part of Bangladesh. The Arab traders and preachers came to the ports of Chittagong and Akiab in the eighth century AD and consequently the Arab Muslims came in close contact with Cox's Bazar area located between the two ports. The greater Chittagong including Cox's Bazar was under the rule of Harikela king Kantideva in the 19Th century. The Arakan king Sulat Inga Chandra (930-975) captured Chittagong in 953 AD and since then Cox's Bazar had been a part of the kingdom of Arakan. Chittagong remained part of the kingdom of Arakan till it is conquered by the Mughals general Buzurag Umed Khan in 1666 AD captured the Magh Fort on the southern part of the Karnafuli and the Arakanise then took shelter in the Ramu Fort. The ancient name of the region was “Palking”. The current Cox’s Bazar was named after Captain Hiram Cox’s who conquer the region in the British East India Company period and set up a bazar that is called the bazar of Cox’s Shaheb by civilians. By the passing of age the region was named as Cox’s Bazar. The Geo position of the district is between 20˚35’ to 21˚50’ North latitudesand 91˚23’ east longitude. Current Cox’s Bazar district is formed in 1984. Before it was a part of Chittagong district.
Bordered By: Cox’s Bazar District is bordered by Chittagongdistrict to the north, the Bay of Bangal to the south, Bandarban district, the Naf River and Arakan (a state of Myanmar) to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west.
Administration: The area of Cox’s Bazar is 2491.85 Sq Km. It is under Chittagong Division. There are 04 Municipalities in Cox’s Bazar named Cox’s Bazar, Chakoria, Teknaf and Moheskhali. The number of Upazilla (sub district) in Cox’s Bazar district is 08, named- Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Moheskhali, Chakoria, Kutubdia, Ramu, Ukhya, Teknaf and Pakua containing 71 Unions, 177 Mauzas and 989 Villages.
Population: The total population of Cox’s Bazar district is 22,89,990 (Male- 11,69,604 and Female- 11,20,386). Sex ratio is 104:100, Population Density 919/Sq Km and annual growth rate is 2.55%.
Literacy: The Literacy Rate of Cox’s Bazar district is 39.30% (Male- 40.30% and Female- 38.20%), School attendance rate is 46.50% for 5 to 24 years age group.
Other Important Data: The postal code of Cox’s Bazar district is 4700 and NWD Code is 0341. Total Parliament seat in Cox’s Bazar is 04. During the liberation war, Cox’s Bazar was under Sector Number 01. Urbanization rate of the district is 21.79%. Average rainfall of the district is 3378 mm and average moisture is 83%.
Rivers: Naf, Matamuhari, Bakkhali, Reju Khal, Naf River, Maheshkhali channel, Kutubdia channel etc.
Agro Products: Paddy, Jute, Rubber, Coconut, Batel Nut, Marine Fish etc.
Major Islands: Moheskhali, Kuubdia, Sonadia, Saint-Martin etc.Remarkable Personalities from Cox's Bazar District
Sahid Saber, Nurul Huda (Poet), Dr Sahajahan Munir (Literate Personality), Abdur Rashid Shiddique, Prof. Samser Uddin Chowdhury, Muhammad Nurul Huda (Poet), Mohammad Mostak Ahmad Chowdhury (Politician), Dula Fakir(Saiant), Hazrat Alauddin Shah (Saint), Ostad Abu Bakar (Cultural Personality) etc.