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Division Profile

Sylhet

Sylhet Division is Bangladesh’s northeastern division, known for tea gardens, haor wetlands, forested hills, Sufi shrines, and a strong expatriate heritage. It covers about 12,298 km² and had a population of about 11.03 million in the 2022 census. Its capital and largest city is Sylhet, a spiritual, educational, and tourism center of the region.

Current Weather

Light drizzle

Temperature25.5°C
Wind Speed6 km/h
Updated03:30

Prayer Times

Fajr04:17
Sunrise05:24
Dhuhr11:58
Asr15:26
Maghrib18:31
Isha19:38

Geographic Overview

Coordinates: about 24°54′N, 91°52′E around Sylhet City

Location: Northeastern Bangladesh, bordered by Indian states and shaped by haor basins, tea hills, river valleys, and forested uplands.

Boundaries

  • North: Meghalaya (India)
  • South: Chattogram Division and Tripura (India)
  • East: Assam and Tripura (India)
  • West: Mymensingh and Dhaka divisions

Major Rivers: Surma, Kushiyara, Manu, Khowai, Piyain, Jadukata, Dholai

Notable Natural Features: Tanguar Haor, Hakaluki Haor, Ratargul Swamp Forest, Jaflong, Bichnakandi, Lawachara National Park, tea garden landscapes

Administrative Structure

Established: 1 August 1995

Capital: Sylhet City

Subdivisions: 4 districts, 35 upazilas, 323 unions

Demographics

Population (2022): about 11.03 million

Urban: about 2.07 million

Rural: about 8.97 million

Languages

  • Official: Bengali
  • Regional: Sylheti
  • Minority and community languages: Khasi, Manipuri, Tripuri, Garo, Kuki, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Hajong and tea-garden community languages

Religion: Islam is the majority religion, with Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Indigenous and other communities also present.

Education & Institutions

Sylhet Division is an important education and research center for northeastern Bangladesh, especially in science, agriculture, medical education, and regional studies.

Universities

  • Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
  • Sylhet Agricultural University
  • Sylhet Medical University
  • Leading University
  • Metropolitan University
  • North East University Bangladesh
  • Habiganj Agricultural University
  • Sunamganj Science and Technology University

Colleges: Murari Chand College, Sylhet Government College, Moulvibazar Government College, Brindaban Government College, Sunamganj Government College

Specialized Institutes: Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Bangladesh Tea Research Institute, Sylhet Cadet College

Economy & Culture

Nickname: Land of 360 Awliya

Agriculture & Natural Resources: Tea, rice, citrus fruits, pineapples, fisheries from haors, natural gas, stone, and forest resources.

Industry: Tea processing, natural gas, tourism, remittance-driven services, agar and attar production, hospitality, and small trade.

Cultural Heritage Sites

  • Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal
  • Shrine of Shah Paran
  • Jaflong
  • Ratargul Swamp Forest
  • Tanguar Haor
  • Hakaluki Haor
  • Lawachara National Park
  • Madhabkunda Waterfall
  • Malnicherra Tea Estate