Chittagong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chittagong (Bengali: চট্টগ্রাম, Chôţţogram) is the major seaport and second largest city of Bangladesh. It is located in the Chittagong District of Chittagong Division, in the southeastern portion of the country near Myanmar (Burma). The city was built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, which ends nearby, in the Bay of Bengal. Chittagong has a population of over 6 million, and is continuing to grow. It is known as one of the cleanest cities of Bangladesh. the municipal area covers about 9 sq. m.
The largest sea port in the country, Chittagong is the main route for almost all of Bangladesh's import and export, and generates a huge amount of revenue each year, attracting many investors internationally. Its harbour also contains extensively developed port facilities, and is particularly suitable for ocean steamers.
The city is Bangladesh's commercial and manufacturing centre, and home to the country's largest companies. The city has many factories. Notably, a large eco-park catering to ecologists and forestry-related genetic science has been opened recently in neighbouring Sitakunda.
Contents |
[edit] People and culture
The people of the city are diverse and multi-ethnic, and the native Bengali and Tibeto-Burman populations have had significant influence from Arab, Afghan, and Mughal traders and settlers, all of whom had travelled in the city after arriving on its shores many hundreds of years ago. The descendents of Portuguese settlers, known as the Firingi, also continue to live in Chittagong, as Catholic Christians, in the old Portuguese enclave of Paterghatta.
Chittagong is also home to several of the most renowned universities of Bangladesh, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), the International Islamic University Chittagong, the Chittagong University, established in 1966, the Chittagong College being notable examples. It also contains many madrasas (Islamic educational centres) within its borders.
[edit] Topography
Chittagong is very different in terms of topography from the rest of Bangladesh, as the city is part of the hilly regions that branch off from the Himalayas. This eastern offshoot of the Himalayas, turning south and southeast, passes through Assam and Tripura, and enters Chittagong across the river. The range loses height as it approaches Chittagong City and breaks up into small hillocks scattered all over the town. This range appears again on the southern bank of the [Karnaphuli] River and extends from one end of Chittagong District to the other. Mt. Sitakunda is the highest peak in the district, with an altitude of 1152 feet above sea level. Nangarkhana to the north of Chittagong City is 289 feet high. In the town itself, there is a peak known as Batali Hill, which used to be 280 feet high and was the highest point in the town. There was a light post at the top of Batali Hill for the guidance of vessels far away in the sea.
The district of Chittagong possesses no natural lakes. As a result, several artificial lakes and pondis or dighis, as they are popularly known, are found all over the district. A large number of dighis, both big and small, were dug during the Muslim period. A popular explanation, perhaps rumour, given for the presence of such a large number of ponds is that during the Muslim period it was felt necessary to provide ponds for the use of the womenfolk of the town. Therefore almost every well-to-do house had a pond or a dighi. Among the big ponds of Chittagong, the most interesting and beautiful might be Laldighi, Kamal Daha's Dighi, Askar Khan's Dighi and Belowa Dighi. Many of these dighis have been filled up. Laldighi is still an important place. A boundary wall has protected the entire dighi. Most of the large public meetings in Chittagong are held in the field next to Laldighi. This field is known as the Laldighi Maidan. The Assam-Bengal Railway dug two artificial lakes (in 1920 and 1924) near the Pahartali Railway Station. These lakes served as reservoirs to supply water to the Railway.
Image:Ctg foys lake water 2003.jpg Foy's Lake was dug in 1924 and was named after the Railway engineer Foy. It is beautiful, serene, blue, surrounded by lush, green hills, symbolizing Chittagong's eternal image, and has thus been the subject of an amusement park, headed by Concord, the makers of the world-class Fantasy Kingdom amusement park in Dhaka, and Bangladesh's largest construction company,
Nature has favoured Chittagong city, like the entire district, with many natural springs. The sources of most of these springs are to be found in the hill ranges. The water from these springs is used for irrigation purposes as well as to supply drinking water. In the city proper there are a number of springs, which are bounded by concrete walls by the Municipal authorities and supply drinking water.
[edit] History
[edit] Economy and development
The sea-borne exports consist chiefly of jute, other items being tea, raw cotton, rice and hides. There is also a large trade by country boats, bringing chiefly cotton, rice, spices, sugar and tobacco.
[edit] Language
Many Chittagong natives speak their own language known as Chatgayyia or Chittainga. This is language that is known or understood by Chittagong natives only. About 18 million people currently speak this language. It is very different from the normal Bengali language.
[edit] Administration
[edit] Main sights
[edit] Transportation
[edit] See also
- Chittagong Hill Tracts
- Chittagong Division
- 1970 Bhola Cyclone
- 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone
- Chittagonian language
[edit] References
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
| Cities of Bangladesh | |
|---|---|
| Barisal • Bogra • Chittagong • Comilla • Dhaka • Faridpur • Gopalganj • Jamalpur • Jessore • Khulna • Mymensingh • Narayanganj • Rangpur • Rajshahi • Sylhet | |
</center>bn:চট্টগ্রাম de:Chittagong et:Chittagong es:Chittagong fr:Chittagong id:Chittagong lv:Čitagonga lt:Čitagongas nl:Chittagong (stad) ja:チッタゴン pl:Ćottogram pt:Chittagong (cidade) ru:Читтагонг fi:Chittagong sv:Chittagong zh:吉大港
