Background, Geographic Area and Location: Gazipur District is located at just north of capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The previous name of the region is “Joydebpur”. Once, the region was under the deep jungle of Vowal Pargana (Sub- Division). Gazipur district is one of the ancient and historical regions with hundreds years old tradition. Gazipur district was previously a sub-division of Dhaka district. It was upgraded to a district in 1984 under Dhaka Division. It is bounded on the north by Mymensingh and Kishoreganj Districts, on the east by Narsingdi District, on the south by Naranyanganj and Dhaka Districts and on the west by the Tangail District. The Geo position of Gazipur District is between 23˚53’ to 24˚20’ North latitudes and between 90˚09’ to 90˚42’ east longitude. The total area of the district is 1806.36 sq. km of which 17.53 sq. km was riverine and 273.42 sq.km. is forest area.

Annual Average Temperature and Rainfall: Annual average temperature of this district varies from maximum 36°C to minimum 12.7°C. Annual rainfall is 2376 mm.

Administration: There is a city corporation; 04 Municipalities in Gazipur District named Tongi, Sreepur, Kaliganj and Kaliakuir. The number of Upazillas in Gazipur district is 05, named- Gazipur Sadar, Kaliakoir, Kaliganj, Kapasia and Sreepur containing 44 Unions, 762 Mauzas and 1,114 Villages.

Gazipur Town: Gazipur town is a very busy town which consists of 9 wards and 31 mahallas. The area of the town is 49.32 sq. km with a population of 123531. Among them male are 52.52%, female 47.48%. The density of population is 2505 per sq. km. Many important establishments like Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), CERDI, Seed Certifying Agency,The Security Printing Corporation(Bangladesh) Ltd, Machine Tools Factory, Bangladesh Ordnance Factory, Diesel Plant, BRAC Dairy Farm, Nova Poultry Limited, Cremation Ghat etc. are located within the town. Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (Previously known as BIT: Bangladesh Institute of Technology) is also located in the town.

Main Rivers: The Old Brahmaputra, Shitalakshya, Turag, Bangshi, Balu, Banar are main rivers of this district.

Population: The total population of Gazipur district is 34,03,912 (Male- 17,75,310 and Female- 16,28,602), sex ratio 109:100, population density 1884/Sq Km and annual growth rate is 5.21%.

Literacy: The Literacy Rate of Gazipur district is 62.60% (Male- 66.00% and Female- 58.90%), School attendance rate is 42.50% for 5 to 24 years age group.

Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass killing site and mass grave are in eastern side of the Joydebpur Rajbari, Sathkamair, Tongi Shaheed Smriti School compound and at Gachha. Memorial monuments are ‘Jagrata Chaurangi’ at Joydebpur Chowrasta and the premises of the Joydebpur Rajbari.

Manufactures: Garments industry, Aluminum factory, Textile mill, Pharmaceutical industry, Cosmetics industry, Machine tools factory, Diesel plant, Security printing press, Ordnance factory, Ceramics factory, Packaging industry, Brick field etc.

Main Crops: Paddy, jute, mustard seed, sugarcane, chilli, arum, turmeric, ginger etc are main crops of this district.

Main Fruits: Jackfruit, pineapple, litchi, black berry, guava, mango, papaya, kamranga, palm, boroi, karamcha, wood apple, tamarind etc. are main fruits of this district.

Main Exports: Vegetables, fruits, medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, aluminum products, readymade garments, mosquito coil, beverage (soft drinks) etc are main exports items of this district.

Communication System: There is a good communication with the capital with Dhaka-Tongi diversion road. This district has good communication with rest of the country. There are also railway facilities.5 railway stations Rajendropur, Sripur, Dhirasrom, Joydevpur and Tongi in Gazipur district.

Places to See: Dholsamundra-this was the capital of the local Pala kings and Jamindar Bari at Baliadi(Kaliakoir),Kalinarayana Temple (1900)-built by Maharaya Kalinarayana of Bhawal(Joydebpur), Bhawal Rajbari-was the home of Prince Ramendra Narayan of the Bhawal case(Joydebpur), Pubail Resort, National Park, Zinda Park,Vadun,Kudabo,Toke Badshahi Mosque, Dighi and Mazar at Chaura and Nuhash Palli-an artificial village designed by famous writter Humayan Ahmed.

Educational Institutions: There are five universities, 2 technical institutions, 3 agricultural institutions, 3 Government colleges and many other institutions in Gazipur district. 5 universities are Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (formerly the Institute of Postgraduate Studies on Agriculture), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Open University, Bangladesh National University and the Islamic University of Technology( International University under OIC). There is also a lot of school, college, madra in this district. Beside these 1 primary training institute, 1 scout training centre (Mouchak), 1 madrasa teacher’s training institute and 1 tele-communication staff college belong to this district.

Economic Situation: Agrarian economy prevails almost in all the corners of the district. Out of total 538,597 holdings, about 42.74% holdings are performing agricultural activities which produces varieties of crops, namely, local and HYV paddy, jute, pulses, vegetables, oilseeds and other minor crops, jackfruit, palm and wood trees adds a bumper earning to well-to-do farmers. Non-farm economic activities have also a substantial share in revenue earnings and livelihood of rural people of the district. The only machine tools factory of the country, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Agricultural Research Institute for post graduate studies in Agriculture and the national park etc. create employment opportunities to the local people which ultimately helps economic development of the locality as well as of the country.