Greater Chittagong

Greater Chittagong
বৃহত্তর চট্টগ্রাম
Greater Chittagong, Bangladesh[1]
CountryBangladesh
Districts
Area
 • Total
21,119.07 km2 (8,154.12 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
13,835,544
 • Density655.1209/km2 (1,696.755/sq mi)
Demographics
 • EthnicitiesBengalis, Chakmas, Marmas, Rakhine, Tripura, Mros, Tanchangyas, Bawm, Chak, Khyang, Khumi, Pankho, Lushei
 • Religions
(2022 census)
Time zoneUTC+06:00 (Bangladesh Standard Time)

Greater Chittagong is a historic region of Bangladesh that was established as a district in 1666. The region is known for its natural landscapes and for its distinctive Chittagonian language and culture.

History

The region of Greater Chittagong came under the control of the Mughal Empire in 1666 following the Mughal conquest of Chittagong, after which the area was organized as the Chittagong District. During the Mughal period and early British rule, the district included both the coastal plains and the hill regions to the east.

In 1860, the British colonial administration separated the hill areas from the district and created the Chittagong Hill Tracts as a distinct administrative district under Act XXII of 1860. The remaining plains area continued to be administered as Chittagong District.

In 1984, a major administrative reorganization divided Chittagong District and created Cox's Bazar District. The former Chittagong Hill Tracts district was later subdivided into three districts: Rangamati District, Khagrachhari District, and Bandarban District. These districts together with Chittagong and Cox's Bazar are collectively referred to as Greater Chittagong.

Administration

Greater Chittagong is the southeastern part of Chittagong Division and consists of five districts. The region includes one city corporation, Chittagong City Corporation, and 50 upazilas.

Chittagong District

Mirsharai Upazila Fatikchhari Upazila Sandwip Upazila Sitakunda Upazila Hathazari Upazila Raozan Upazila Rangunia Upazila Karnaphuli Upazila Boalkhali Upazila Patiya Upazila Anwara Upazila Chandanaish Upazila Satkania Upazila Banshkhali Upazila Lohagara Upazila

Cox's Bazar District

Kutubdia Upazila Pekua Upazila Maheshkhali Upazila Chakaria Upazila Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila Eidgaon Upazila Ramu Upazila Ukhia Upazila Teknaf Upazila

Rangamati District

Rangamati Sadar Upazila Belaichhari Upazila Bagaichhari Upazila Barkal Upazila Juraichhari Upazila Rajasthali Upazila Kaptai Upazila Langadu Upazila Naniarchar Upazila Kaukhali Upazila

Khagrachhari District

Dighinala Upazila Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila Lakshmichhari Upazila Mahalchhari Upazila Manikchhari Upazila Matiranga Upazila Panchhari Upazila Ramgarh Upazila Guimara Upazila

Bandarban District

Alikadam Upazila Bandarban Sadar Upazila Lama Upazila Naikhongchhari Upazila Rowangchhari Upazila Ruma Upazila Thanchi Upazila

Language and culture

The vast majority of people in Greater Chittagong speak the Chittagonian language. Chittagonian is spoken by most residents of Chittagong District and Cox's Bazar District, and it is also widely spoken by Chittagonians living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Several ethnic minority communities in the hill districts speak their own languages. For example, the Chakma people speak the Chakma language, the Marma people and Rakhine people speak the Rakhine language, the Tripuri people speak Kokborok, and the Bawm people speak the Bawm language.[2]

Demographics

According to the 2022 census, the total population of Greater Chittagong was 13,835,545. Of the population, 11,517,356 were Muslims, 1,260,089 were Hindus, 961,530 were Buddhists, 70,110 were Christians, and 26,459 followed other religions.

Religion-2022[3]
  1. Muslims (83.2%)
  2. Hindus (9.11%)
  3. Buddhists (6.95%)
  4. Christians (0.51%)
  5. Others (0.19%)

Ethnic minorities

Further information: Ethnic minorities in Bangladesh
See also: Ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

Several ethnic minority groups live in Greater Chittagong. Their total population is 983,374, representing 7.11% of the region's population. Among them, the Chakmas number 474,352, the Marmas 219,452, the Tripuras 149,763, the Mrus 52,004, the Tanchangyas 45,594, the Boms 12,490, and the Rakhaines 8,805, while other groups together account for 20,914 people.[4]

Ethnic Minorities in the Greater Chittagong (excluding Chittagonians/Bengali) (2022)
  1. Chakma (48.2%)
  2. Marma (22.3%)
  3. Tripura (15.2%)
  4. Mro (5.29%)
  5. Tanchangya (4.64%)
  6. Bom (1.27%)
  7. Rakhaine (0.90%)
  8. Others (2.13%)

Tourists spot

Beaches

Islands

Waterfalls

Lakes

Hills

Park

Reserve Forest

Museums

Religious Places

Others

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Land-cover-map-of-the-Greater-Chittagong-district-of-Bangladesh-for-1990-2000-and-2010_fig5_309219060
  2. ^ https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Tribal_Languages
  3. ^ "District Statistics 2011". Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
  4. ^ "Chittagong Hill Tribes of Bangladesh". Cultural Survival. 17 February 2010.
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