Barisal is located in south-central Bangladesh. Formerly a district, it is now a division. The town lies in the Ganges (Padma) River delta on an offshoot of the Arial Khan River (Kirtonkhola). Incorporated as a municipality in 1876 and upgraded to city corporation in 2002, it is a transshipment center for rice, hides, and pulses. Bakery, textile, Pharmaceutical products are output of a few industrial installation. It is linked by steamer with Dhaka (73 miles [117 km] north) and with Chittagong to the southeast. Road communication improved in last decade with building of few bridges. There is a medical college (Sher-e Bangla Medical College) affiliated with the National University.
Barisal division
- Area: 13297 sq.km.
- Population: 7,757,000
- Zilas: Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalakati, Pirojpur.
- Area: 2791
- Population: 2,299,000
- Upazilas: Barisal Sadar, Agailjhara, Babuganj, Bakerganj, Banaripara, Gaurnadi, Hizla, Barisal Sadar, Mehendiganj, Muladi, Wazirpur.
