Barisal

Barisal, officially spelled Barishal, is a river port city in southern Bangladesh and the administrative headquarters of Barisal Division. Known as the 'Venice of Bengal' for its network of rivers, canals and ponds, the city stands on the bank of the Kirtankhola River and has long been a trading centre for rice, fish, betel leaf and other produce from the fertile Ganges delta.

Once part of the former Bakerganj district, Barisal grew around one of Bangladesh's most important river ports and received municipal status in the late nineteenth century. Colonial-era landmarks such as Oxford Mission Church and Barisal Zilla School still reflect the city's history as an administrative and educational centre of southern Bengal.

Major sights include the Baitul Aman Jame Masjid, widely known as Guthia Mosque, the historic Durga Sagar dighi, Oxford Mission Church, Bell's Park and the landscaped Kirtankhola riverbank. Day trips lead to the Bhimruli floating guava market and to Kuakata sea beach on the coast.

Central neighbourhoods around Sadar Road, Nathullabad and the riverfront hold busy markets, small restaurants and hotels, while the University of Barisal and Sher-e-Bangla Medical College make the city a regional education hub. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws move most local traffic.

For travellers, Barisal works both as a gateway to southern Bangladesh and as a destination in its own right. The Padma Bridge has shortened road journeys from Dhaka, domestic flights land at Barisal Airport, and river launches connect the city to the wider delta, supporting business, agro-industry and a steadily growing tourism scene.