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| Map of Bhola District |
Bhola District, Bangladesh
Bhola is the largest and only one island district of Bangladesh located in the lower basin of Ganga River in the south- western part of Bangladesh. The island was formed in the estuary with the sediment carried by the three major rivers come down from Himalayan named Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra. The region is average 12 feet above from the sea level. Approximately 1325 AD, the region was started to formed. According to Bakerganj Gazetier written by J C Jack, cultivation was started in the region in 1300 AD. In 1517 AD the island was occupied by a Portuguese pirate named John D. Silabera. The ancient name of the region was “south Shahbajpur”. There are not enough authentic documents about the naming of Bhola. Some historians think that Bhola was named after Bhola Gazi Patni, a boatman who ferried people in the formarly Betua River. During the East India Company period, Bhola sub-division was established in 1854 under Barisal district. It was upgraded to a district on 1 February 1984. Many people of the district, especially of Charfasson and Tazumuddin islands, lost their lives in a devastating cyclone and tidal bore in 1970.
Bordered By: Bhola District is bordered by Barisal and Lakshmipur district to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the south, Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts, the Meghna estuary and Shahbajpur Channel to the east, Patuakhali district and the Tetulia River to the west.
Administration: The area of Bhola is 3403.48 Sq Km. It is under Barisal Division. There are 05 Municipalities in Bhola named Bhola, Charfashion, Borhanuddin, Daulatkhan and Lalmohon. The number of Upazilla (sub district) in Bhola district is 07, named- Bhola Sadar, Charfashion, Monopura, Lalmohon, Daulatkhan, Tazumaddin and Borhanuddin containing 68 Unions, 314 Mauzas and 438 Villages.
Population: The total population of Bhola district is 17,76,795 (Male- 884,069 and Female- 892,726), sex ratio 99:100, population density 522/Sq Km and annual growth rate is 0.42%.
Literacy: The Literacy Rate of Bhola district is 43.30% (Male- 43.60% and Female- 42.90%). School attendance rate is 49.50% for 5 to 24 years age group.
Other Important Data: The postal code of Bhola district is 8300 and NWD Code is 0491. Total Parliament seat in Bhola is 04. During the liberation war, Bhola was under Sector Number 09. Urbanization rate of the district is 13.69%.
Rivers: Meghna, Tetulia, Ilsha, Boalia, Shahbajpur channel etc.
Agro Products: Paddy, Jute, Potato, Onion, Garlic, Chilly, Peanuts, Mastered, Banana, Coconut, Betel Leaf, Betel Nut, Vegetables etc.
Remarkable Personalities from Bhola District
Birshresta Mostafa Kamal, Tofayal Ahmed (Politician), Mozammel Hoque (Poet), Dr Abul Hasan Shamsuddin (Educationist), Firoza Begum (Educationist) Naziur Rahaman Monjur (Politician), Dr Azhar Uddin Ahmad (Politician), Major (Rtd) Hafiz Uddin Bir Bikrom (Politician), Comorad Nalini Das (Politician), Mosharof Hossain Shajahan (Politician), Nasir Ahmed (Poet), Principal Afsar Uddin Babul, Principal Faruquar Rahaman, A K M Makbul Ahmed (Poet), M. Mokammel Haque (Bureaucrate), etc.