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The Rangpur division consists of eight districts. There are 58 upazilas or subdistricts under these eight districts. The major cities of Rangpur Division are Rangpur, Dinajpur, and Saidpur.
History
Mansingh, commander of Emperor Akbar, conquered part of Rangpur in 1575. Rangpur came completely under the Mughal empire in 1686. Mughalbasa and Mughalhat of Kurigram district still bear marks of the Mughal rule in the region. During the Mughal rule part of Rangpur was under the sarkar of Ghoraghat, and part under the sarkar of Pinjarah. Ghoraghat has been mentioned in the historic book of Riyaz-us-Salatin. During the early period of the East-India Company rule Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion took place.
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Administrative divisions
Rangpur Division has 8 Districts, 58 upazilas, 1 city corporation, 21 pourasavas and 536 union councils.
Demographics
According to the 2022 census, Rangpur Division has a total population of 17,610,956, with a population density of 1088/km2.
The majority of the population are Muslims, comprising 86.51%, followed by Hindus at approximately 12.98%. A small percentage of the population adheres to Christianity and other religions.
Bengalis are the largest ethnic community and some other small native ethnic groups includes the Santal, Munda, Oraon, Rajbanshi, Kaibarta, Koch, Harijan etc.
In comparison, the 2011 census recorded a total population of 15,787,758, with a population density of 980/km2. At that time, males made up 51.18% of the population, while 48.82% of the population was female.
Economy
The division was once considered the poorest division in Bangladesh—with over a third of the population living in extreme poverty as of 2016, according to World Bank data,
While agriculture remains important, with Rangpur being a key producer of rice, potatoes, and sugarcane, it is the rise of industries and improvement of infrastructure that has accelerated the division's economic progress. The development of industrial zones, access to utilities like gas and electricity, and improved transport networks have positioned Rangpur as a growing hub for industry and commerce, helping lift the division out of its past struggles.
This industrial and infrastructural growth reflects the determination and innovation of the people, transforming Rangpur into a region of increasing prosperity.
By 2026, this modernization expanded into the technology sector, with the Rangpur Hi-Tech Park hosting specialized cybersecurity firms to support the national financial infrastructure.
Transportation
The main transportation methods here are by air, rail, or road. Saidpur Airport is the only civilian airport of this division. By rail, the district is accessible by the train Rangpur Express and the station Rangpur railway station.
Climate
Rangpur Division has a warm and temperate climate. The division experiences more rainfall in the summer than in winter, with an annual rainfall of 2498 mm. The average temperature in Rangpur is 24.3 °C, with the highest temperatures typically occurring in August and the coldest in January.
Summer lasts from June to September, with the heaviest rainfall in June (522 mm) and the least in December (6 mm).
September sees the highest relative humidity (50.41%), while March has the lowest.
March also has the highest sunshine hours, with an average of 9.51 hours per day, while January has the least (8.04 hours). The total annual sunshine in Rangpur is around 2802.78 hours, averaging 233.56 hours per month.
Health
Rangpur Division's healthcare system is mainly centered in Rangpur City. Every district has a well-functioning hospital, and sub-districts are served by upazila health complexes. However, for better treatment, residents rely on Rangpur city. The city also has numerous private hospitals and clinics, such as Prime Medical.
Legacy
Rangpur has lent its name to the fruit Rangpur (fruit) and Tanqueray Rangpur Gin.