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Natore District (rajshahi division) with an area of 1896.05 sq km, is bounded by naogaon and bogra districts on the north, pabna and kushtia districts on the south, Pabna and sirajganj districts on the east, rajshahi district on the west. Average annual temperature: maximum 37.8°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1862 mm. Rivers: 10 most noted of which are Atrai, Baral, Narod, Nandakunja; Chalan Beel is notable.

Natore (Town) consists of 9 wards and 33 mahallas. Natore municipality was established in 1869 but it was transformed into Town Committee in 1959; municipality was again established in 1993. The area of the town is 15.05 sq km. The town has a population of 72615; male 51.57%, female 48.43%; density of population is 4825.

Administration Natore subdivision was established in 1845 under Rajshahi district and it was turned into a district in 1984. It consists of 6 upazilas, 4 municipalities, 36 wards, 93 mahallas, 52 unions, 1272 mouzas and 1377 villages. The upazilas are natore sadar, bagatipara, baraigram, gurudaspur, lalpur and singra.

Archaeological heritage and relics Natore Rajbari and Dighapatia Rajbari (Uttara Ganabhaban), Dayarampur Rajbari (Bagatipara) and Budpara Kali Mandir (Lalpur).

Historical events Indigo resistance movements were held in this district during 1859 to 1860. During the War of Liberation in 1971 a direct battle was fought between the Pak army and the freedom fighters on 29 March in which about 40 members of the Pak army including Major Aslam and Capt Ishaq were killed.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave 5, memorial 1.

Population 1521359; male 50.86%, female 49.14%; Muslim 90.47%, Hindu 8.47%, Christian 0.61% and others 0.45%; ethnic national: Santal.

Religious institutions Mosque 1946, temple 216, church 12.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 27%; male 33% and female 20.5%. Educational institutions: government college 5, non-government college 17, government high school 3, non-government high school 206, government primary school 407, non-government primary school 281, madrasa 30, teacher's training college 1, nursing institution 1.

Cultural organisations Club 285, public library 10, cinema hall 18.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dainik Uttar Bangabarta, Dainik Uttarpath, weekly Natore Barta.

Main occupations Agriculture 41.75%, agricultural labourer 28.84%, wage labourer 3.01%, commerce 10%, service 5.02%, fishing 1.32% and others 10.06%.

Land use Total cultivable land 142880 hectares; fallow land 1772 hectares; single crop 72%, double crop 25% and treble crop land 3%. Cultivable land under irrigation 64%.

Land control Among the peasants 29% are landless, 37% small, 25% intermediate and 9% rich.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is approximately Tk. 6000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, sugarcane, betel leaf.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Indigo, Aus and aman paddy.

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

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 236.04 km, semi pucca 35 km and mud road 1703.85; railways 64 km.

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

Manufactories Sugar mill, rice mill, oil mill, flour mill, printing, biscuit factory, ice factory, etc.

Cottage industries Potteries, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, mat making, etc.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 152, fair 13.

Main exports Sugar, paddy and vegetables.

NGO activities Operationally important ngos are brac, CARE, grameen bank, ITCL, thengamara mahila sabuj sangha, etc.

Health centres District hospital 1, upazila health complex 5, TB hospital 1, diabetic hospital 1, mission hospital 1, maternity and child care centre 12, family planning centre 27. [Md. Rezaul Karim]