Barisal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barisal
বরিশাল
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Metropolis
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| Barishal | |
     .jpg) From top: Barisal Launch Terminal,
University of Barisal, Guthia Mosque, Oxford Mission Church, Brojomohun College, Barisal Museum |
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| Nickname(s):
Venice of the East
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 Barisal
Location in Barisal division
Barisal
Location in Bangladesh
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| Country | Bangladesh |
| Division | Barisal Division |
| District | Barisal District |
| Municipality established | 1876 |
| City Corporation | 2002 |
| Granted city status | 19 April 2001 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Body | Barishal City Corporation |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 58 km2 (22 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1 m (4 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Metropolis | 328,278 |
| • Density | 10,524/km2 (27,260/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 385,093 |
| Demonym(s) | Barisailla/Borishailla |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
| Postal code |
8200
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| Calling code | 0431 |
| National calling code | +880 |
| Police | Barisal Metropolitan Police |
| Domestic airport | Barisal Airport |
Barisal (also spelled Barishal) is a big city in south-central Bangladesh. It sits on the banks of the Kirtankhola river. It's the main city and administrative center for both Barisal District and Barisal Division. Barisal is one of the oldest cities with a river port in Bangladesh. It was once called the Venice of the East because of its many rivers and canals.
Barisal became a municipality in 1876 during British rule. It was upgraded to a City Corporation in 2002. Today, Barisal is Bangladesh's third largest financial center. The city has 30 wards and 50 neighborhoods. In 2023, its population was about 533,000 people. The city covers an area of 58 square kilometers.
Contents
History of Barisal
Barisal has a long and interesting past. It was part of ancient kingdoms like Vanga and Gangaridai. Different rulers, including the Khadga, Pala, Chandra, Sena, and Deva dynasties, controlled the area.
Medieval Times
Later, Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji conquered Barisal. It then became an important part of the Delhi Sultanate and Bengal Sultanate. During the Mughal Empire, it was a semi-independent area. This was due to battles between Muslim and Hindu leaders. Eventually, it came under the control of the Bengal Nawabs.
European Visitors
In the 1580s, an Englishman named Ralph Fitch visited Barisal. He was a leather merchant and the first known Englishman to visit Bengal. He described Barisal as a large and fruitful country. He noted its rice, cotton, and silk. He also mentioned the tall houses and wide streets.
Modern Growth
Barisal is one of Bangladesh's biggest river ports. It has a population of nearly 380,000 people. The city is home to a medical college and a cadet college. It also has some industries like pharmaceuticals and textiles. Barisal is a fast-growing city. It even has a special airport for short take-offs and landings.
Barisal Guns
Have you ever heard of "Barisal guns"? It's a natural sound phenomenon named after this region. It's a booming sound heard near lakes and rivers. Scientists believe it's caused by small earthquakes under the water. The British first heard these sounds in the 1800s.
People and Religion
Let's learn about the people who live in Barisal.
Population Details
In 2011, Barisal city had a population of 328,278 people. Slightly more than half (51.63%) were male, and 48.37% were female. The people in Barisal are mostly Bengalis. The local people are called Barisaliya. They speak a dialect of Bengali known as Eastern Bengali. Many people also come from nearby areas like Patuakhali and Bhola.
The city has a high literacy rate of 75.3%. This means most people can read and write. This is much higher than the national average for Bangladesh.
Religious Groups
| Religion in Barisal City (2011) | ||||
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| Religion | Percent | |||
| Islam | 89.30% | |||
| Hinduism | 9.70% | |||
| Christianity | 0.98% | |||
| Other or not stated | 0.02% | |||
Most people in Barisal are Muslims, making up about 89.30% of the population. They mainly follow the Sunni branch of Islam. Hindus are the second largest group, at 9.7%. There are also a small number of Christians (0.98%) and Buddhists (0.01%). The Catholic Christian community in Barisal has its own special church area called a diocese.
Geography and Climate
Barisal city covers an area of 58 square kilometers.
Barisal District
The larger Barisal District is much bigger, covering 2790.51 square kilometers. It shares borders with several other districts. Many rivers flow through Barisal. These include the Kirtankhola, Arial Khan, Khoyrabad, Kalijira, and Sandha rivers. These rivers are very important for transport and daily life.
City Climate
Barisal has a warm climate. It's mostly humid, with a dry winter season.
| Climate data for Barisal (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 31.0 (87.8) |
35.6 (96.1) |
38.0 (100.4) |
39.0 (102.2) |
37.5 (99.5) |
37.0 (98.6) |
36.5 (97.7) |
36.8 (98.2) |
37.3 (99.1) |
35.8 (96.4) |
34.0 (93.2) |
31.5 (88.7) |
39.0 (102.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7) |
28.8 (83.8) |
32.5 (90.5) |
33.7 (92.7) |
33.6 (92.5) |
32.4 (90.3) |
31.4 (88.5) |
31.6 (88.9) |
32.0 (89.6) |
31.9 (89.4) |
29.9 (85.8) |
26.7 (80.1) |
30.8 (87.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 17.6 (63.7) |
21.4 (70.5) |
25.9 (78.6) |
28.4 (83.1) |
29.0 (84.2) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.3 (82.9) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.2 (81.0) |
23.5 (74.3) |
19.1 (66.4) |
25.5 (77.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.8 (53.2) |
15.4 (59.7) |
20.5 (68.9) |
23.9 (75.0) |
25.1 (77.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.9 (78.6) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.6 (78.1) |
23.9 (75.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
13.8 (56.8) |
21.4 (70.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 6.5 (43.7) |
8.5 (47.3) |
11.5 (52.7) |
17.0 (62.6) |
18.4 (65.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
21.5 (70.7) |
16.6 (61.9) |
13.0 (55.4) |
6.5 (43.7) |
6.5 (43.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 12.0 (0.47) |
21.0 (0.83) |
45.0 (1.77) |
101.0 (3.98) |
210.0 (8.27) |
380.0 (14.96) |
423.0 (16.65) |
334.0 (13.15) |
288.0 (11.34) |
190.0 (7.48) |
47.0 (1.85) |
6.0 (0.24) |
2,057 (80.98) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 11.0 | 18.0 | 24.0 | 23.0 | 18.0 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 119.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 78 | 76 | 80 | 83 | 88 | 90 | 89 | 89 | 87 | 84 | 83 | 84 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 218.9 | 223.1 | 241.1 | 233.3 | 214.5 | 144.7 | 130.9 | 145.6 | 151.8 | 214.9 | 230.6 | 212.9 | 2,362.3 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Bangladesh Meteorological Department (humidity 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
Fun Places to Visit
Barisal has many interesting places to explore!
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Durga Sagar in Madhabpasha
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Baitul Aman Jame Masjid Complex
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Shohel Chattar, Bibir Pukur Par
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Padma Pukur, Barisal
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Bell's Park aka Bangabandhu Udyan
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30 Godown Freedom Fighters Monument
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Barisal collectorete building
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Barisal city at night
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Collectorate pond
Durga Sagar
Durga Sagar is the biggest pond or "dighi" in southern Bangladesh. It's about 2,500 hectares in size. You can find it in Madhabpasa village, about 11 kilometers from Barisal town. It was dug in 1780. The area around the dighi is now a popular picnic spot. Many coconut trees grow around it, and there's a small island in the middle. In winter, many migratory birds visit here.
Lakhutia Estate
Lakhutia is about 8 kilometers from Barisal's city center. It's the old estate of the Roy family. The Lakhutia estate was started in the late 1600s. Besides the main house, there are several Shiva temples and large ponds. Even though parts of it were damaged in the past, the historical site and what's left of the mansion are still a main attraction in Barisal.
Other Interesting Spots
- Durga Sagar
- Baitul Aman Jame Masjid Complex
- Oxford Mission Church
- Bell's Park (also called Bangubandhu Udyan)
- 30 Godown (a monument for freedom fighters)
- Planet Park
- Muktijoddha Park
- Lakhutia Zamindar Bari
- Korapur Miah Bari Masjid
- Shankar Math
- Town Hall
- Sher-e-Bangla Memorial Museum
- Jibanananda Das Museum
- Dapdapia Bridge
- Bibir Pukur (a famous pond)
- Padma Pukur (Pond of Lotus)
- Kali Mandir (founded by poet Mukunda Das)
- BadhyaBhumi Monument
Buildings and Architecture
Barisal has many different kinds of buildings. They show a mix of styles built over a long time.
Famous Old Buildings
Some well-known old buildings include:
- Barishal Zilla School building
- Kamalapur Mosque
- Oxford Mission Church
- Qasba Mosque
- Shankar Math
Sports in Barisal
Cricket and football are the most popular sports in Barisal. Tennis and kabaddi are also enjoyed.
Stadium and Teams
The city has a national stadium called Barisal Divisional Stadium. It can hold 15,000 people. It's mainly used for cricket but also for football and other events. Barisal is also home to the Bangladesh Premier League cricket team, Fortune Barishal.
Famous Players
Some famous players from Barisal have played for the national team. These include Shahriar Nafees, Sohag Gazi, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, and Fazle Mahmud. There's also a sports training center here.
Getting Around Barisal
Barisal has different ways to travel.
By Air
Barisal Airport is a domestic airport. Airlines like Biman Bangladesh Airlines use it. You can fly between Barisal and Dhaka, the capital city.
By River
Barisal River Port is the second largest river port in Bangladesh. Many people travel by boat between Barisal and Dhaka. It's also a popular way to reach other districts like Bhola and Barguna.
By Road
Barisal is connected to other parts of Bangladesh by the N8 national highway. The city has two bus terminals. These terminals connect Barisal to many other districts by bus.
Education in Barisal
Barisal has many schools and colleges. Brojomohun College is the oldest higher education institution, started in 1889.
Universities and Colleges
The city has a public university, the University of Barisal. There are also two private universities. For medical studies, there's Sher-e-Bangla Medical College. Other important colleges include a textile engineering college and an engineering college.
Schools
Some well-known schools are Barisal Zilla School and Barisal Cadet College. There are also several government colleges for boys and girls.
Key Institutions
- Amrita Lal Dey College
- Barishal Cadet College
- Barishal Engineering College
- Barisal Government Women's College
- Barisal Govt. Polytechnic Institute
- Barishal Zilla School
- Brojomohun College
- Government Syed Hatem Ali College
- Shahid Abdur Rab Serniabat Textile Engineering College
- Sher-e-Bangla Medical College
- University of Barishal
- Oxford Mission High School
- Baptist Mission High School
Media and News
Barisal is a place where many newspapers and magazines are published.
Local Newspapers
- Daily Ajker Barisal
- Daily Ajker Barta
- Daily Ajker Poribartan
- Daily Bhorer Angikar
- Daily Biplobi Bangladesh
- Daily Dakkhinanchal
- Daily Motobad
- Daily Shahnama
Magazines
- Bakerganj Parikrama
- Chirantan Bangla
- Upakul
- Khadem
- Jago Nare
Famous People from Barisal
Images for kids
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Barisal Launch Terminal
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Academic Buildings of the University of Barishal
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Guthia Mosque
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Oxford Mission Church
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BM College, Barisal
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Barisal Divisional Museum
See also
In Spanish: Barisal para niños
