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Dinajpur District (rajshahi division) with an area of 3437.98 sq km, is bounded by thakurgaon and panchagarh districts on the north, gaibandha and joypurhat districts on the south, nilphamari and rangpur districts on the east, the Indian state of West Bengal on the south west. Annual average highest temperature 33.5oC and lowest 10.5oC; annual rainfall 2536 mm. Main rivers are dhepa, punarbhaba, Kanchan and atrai. Dinajpur (Town) Dinajpur municipal town consists of 12 wards and 80 mahallas. The area of the municipality is 20.6 sq km and its population is 157343; male 51.29%, female 48.71%. The literacy rate among the town people is 56.5% Administration Dinajpur district was established in 1786. Its previous name was Ghoraghat district. Various parts of the districts were included in Purnia, Rangpur and Rajshahi districts at different times during 1833 to 1870. Thakurgaon and Panchagarh Sub-divisions of this district were turned into independent districts in 1984. It consists of six municipalities, 57 wards, 200 mahallas, 13 upazilas, 101 union parishads and 2142 villages. The Upazilas are birampur, birganj, biral, bochaganj, chirirbandar, phulbari, ghoraghat, hakimpur, kaharole, khansama, dinajpur sadar, nawabganj, parbatipur. Archaeological heritage and relics kantanagar temple, Rajbari, Dinajpur Museum, ramsagar tank and the tombs of Chehel Gazi and Gora Shahid, Sitar Kuthuri, Habra Zamindar Bari, Gour Gabindha, Baraduari, Shingha Darwaza Palace, nayabad mosque, Aowkar Mosque. Historical events Dinajpur was once a part of the ancient state of Pundrabardhwan. The British administrative control in Dinajpur was established in 1793. At the time of Partition of Bengal in 1947, part of greater Dinajpur district was included in West Bengal and it was named West Dinajpur. People of the district took part in the Tebhaga Movement and also had significant contribution in the War of Liberation.

Dinajpur District:Map

Marks of War of Liberation Mass killing site 4, mass grave 7.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Now in circulation Uttara, Pratidin, Tista, Janamat, Uttarbanga, Ajker Protiva and Patralap and the weeklies the Atahpar and Ajker Barta; monthly Nawroj (extinct)

Population 2617942; male 51.12%, female 48.88%; Muslim 76.65%, Hindu 20.58%, Christian 0.80%, Buddhist 0.11% and others 1.86%; ethnic nationals: the Santal and Oraon .

Religious institutions Mosques 3349, Hindu temples 453, tomb 657, churches 38, sacred place 1.

Literacy and Educational Institutions Average literacy 27.4%; male 34.7% female 19.5%. Educational institutions: one university of science and technology, university college 2, homeopathy college 1, polytechnic institute 1, medical college 1, Atomic energy commission 1, college (government) 6, college (non-government) 74, high school (non-government) 379, high school (government) 3, junior school 27, primary school (government) 835, primary school (non-government) 718, vocational trainee institution 5, teachers training institution 1, institution of leather technology 1, orphanage centre 2. The University of Science and Technology, S N College, Zila School, Silver Jubilee MC College, Mohanmangal High School, Habra Government High School are some of the important institutions of district.

Cultural organisations Rural club 583, public library 13, theatre group and opera party 17, cinema hall 37, playground 5, women's organisation 20, press club 3, Shilpakala Academy 1, literary organisation 17, circus party 1.

Main occupations Agriculture 42.85%, agricultural labourer 29.19%, wage labourer 2.48%, commerce 10.2%, transport 1.67%, service 5.58%, others 8.03%.

Land use Cultivable land 216660.89 hectare; fallow land 127131.19 hectare; single crop 42%, double crop 45% and treble crop 13%. Cultivable land under irrigation 78%.

Land control Landless 40%, small farmers 30%, medium farmers 25%, large farmers 5%; per capita cultivable land 0.05 hectare.

Value of land Market value of first grade cultivable land is about Tk 7,500 per 0.01 hectare.

Main agricultural crops Paddy, wheat, sugarcane, jute, potato, vegetables, onion, garlic and oil seed.

Extinct and nearly extinct crops Aush and katari variety of paddy.

Main fruits Mango, banana, jackfruit, litchi, blackberry, coconut.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Poultry 369, dairy 250, fishery 74, nursery 8, hatchery 15.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 620.19 km, semi pucca 151.6 km and mud road about 3533 km; railway 147 km; Railway junction 1 (Parbatipur).

Traditional transport Palanquin, boat, bullock cart, horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Textile mill, sugar mill, pharmaceutical industry, biscuit factory, rice mill, ice factory, sawmill, flour mill, etc.

Cottage industries Weaving 300, goldsmith 309, blacksmith 403, potteries 898, wood work 708, bamboo and cane work 150, tailoring 800, welding 225.

Mineral resources Coal mine at Barapukuria and hard rock mine at Madhyapara.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazaars are 508, fairs 20.

Main exports Paddy, rice, wheat, sugarcane, mango, litchi, jackfruit and molasses.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are CARE, brac, caritas, asa, ccdb, nijrera kari and thengamara mahila sabuj sangha.

Health centres Hospital and clinic 11, upazila health complex 13, union health an family planning centre 84, satellite clinic 15, community heath centre 13, NGO hospital 1 and veterinary hospital 1. [Ahmad Hossain]