Chittagong or Chāṭgāon or Chattogram is a major coastal city and financial center in southeastern Bangladesh. The 2nd largest and ever-growing city in the country it is located on the banks of the Karnaphuli river between the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Bay of Bengal. Chittagong plays a vital role in the Bangladeshi economy. It has one of the world’s oldest ports, which was mentioned in Roman geographer Ptolemy’s world map in the 1st century AD, as the principal maritime gateway in the region.
A fishing and tea production hub, the port is one of the busiest international seaports on the Bay of Bengal and the third busiest in South Asia. Several Chittagong-based companies are among the largest industrial conglomerates and enterprises in Bangladesh. The city is the largest base for Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard; with a large presence of Bangladesh Army and AirForce as well. Chittagong is the headquarters of the Eastern Zone of Bangladesh Railway first introduced in 1865.
The shipbreaking industry on the outskirts of the city provides employment to local and migrant workers besides supplying steel to local industry but has caused severe pollution in the area. The city has been used as a gateway to enter the south-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent for centuries, by Arab sailors and traders since the 9th century. During the 14th century, the port became a “mint town” of the Sultanate of Bengal. In the 16th century, Portuguese Chittagong was the first European settlement in Bengal. A naval battle in 1666 with the Mughal Empire resulted in the expulsion of the Portuguese who named the city Islamabad.
The cultivation of pink pearls is a historic activity in Chittagong introduced by the Mughals. British colonization began in 1760 when Nawab of Bengal ceded Chittagong to East India Company. During World War II, Chittagong has used a base to engage in the Burma Campaign. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Chittagong was besieged by the Indian Navy. The city is also the site of the country’s declaration of independence in 1971. Chittagong has religious and ethnic diversity with Bengali Muslim majority living in harmony with minority Bengali Hindus, Bengali Christians, Bengali Buddhists, as well as tribals like Chakmas, Marmas, Sawtals, Garo, and Bohmong.
Chinese traveler Xuanzang described the area as “a sleeping beauty rising from mist and water” in the 7th century. Many #Sufi missionaries settled in Chittagong and played an instrumental role in the spread of Islam. As such Chittagong is also known as the Land of the Twelve Saints due to the prevalence of 12 major Sufi Muslim shrines. Chittagong featured prominently in the military history of the Bengal Sultanate, including during the Reconquest of Arakan and the Bengal Sultanate and Kingdom of Mrauk U War of 1512–1516. The Chittagong armory raid by Bengali revolutionaries led by Master da Surya Sen in 1930 was a major event in British India’s anti-colonial history.
Agrabad area is the main central business district of the city. Contributing around 12% of nation’s economy, Chittagong generates 40% of Bangladesh’s industrial output, 80% of international trade and 50% of its government revenues. There are numerous SEZs in and around the city, that are helping boost the city’s economy. The city is especially known for its cement plants. For centuries, the city has been a melting pot for people from all over the world, having a lasting impact on its language, culture, and cuisine. The people are called Chittagonian and the language they speak has many Arabic, Persian, English, and Portuguese words. Chittagong is known for its art and culture, Major cultural organizations in the city include the Theatre Institute Chittagong and the Chittagong Performing Arts Academy.
The city has a vibrant contemporary art scene. The city is rich in biodiversity with over 2000 of Bangladesh’s 6000 flowering plants growing here. Well connected by road, rail, sea, and air with all major cities of the world, the city is a major education hub with numerous educational institutes, hospitals, and museum. The city is a major sports hub with many cricketers, footballers, and athletes having prominence nationally and internationally. Chittagong has many lakes that were created under the Mughal rule as also by the British.
Patenga beach in the main seafront of Chittagong, located 14 kilometers west of the city. the city is the access point to visit Teknaf Game Reserve and the Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco Park. There are numerous hotels, resorts, lodges that offer luxurious, budget, and mid-range accommodation. The restaurants serve a variety of cuisine at reasonable prices. The city is a shoppers paradise with numerous shopping malls spread across the city. There are several multiplexes that opened in recent years. The nightlife is great with numerous watering holes, bars, and nightclubs in and around the city. there are numerous places worth visiting for tourists in and around Chittagong. Overall the city is must-visit for anyone.
