Background, Geographic Area and Location: The Area now constituting Natore district was a sub-division of the former Rajshahi district. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the district name. In the remote past, the present district headquarters was within "Chandrabati Beel". There are two views about the origin of the district name. The first view is that previously the present place of the district headquarters was neither a high land nor a lowlying area. It was not (means Na in Bangla) high enough for movement on foot (means Tar in Bangla). The other opinion is that the district might have originated its name from the name of the Norad River which was following by the side of the district headquarters. It is generally believed that the district might have derived its name from the above two words.
The district is bounded on the north by Bogra and Noagaon districts, on the east by Sirajganj and Pabna districts, on the south by Pabna and Kushtia districts and on the west by Rajshahi district. It lies between 24° 25' & 24° 58' north latitudes and between 88° 01' & 88° 30' east longitudes. The total area of the district is 1900.19 Sq.km (733.00 Sq. miles) of which 2.44 Sq. km. forest area.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 37.8°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1862 mm.
Main Rivers: Ten (10) most noted of which are Atrai, Baral, Narod and Nandakunja. Chalan Beel is notable.
Administration: Natore subdivision was established in 1845 under Rajshahi district and it was turned into a district in 1984. The district consists of 6 upazilas, 52 unions, 1272 mauzas, 1384 villages, 8 paurashavas, 75 wards and 105 mahallas. The upazilas are Bagatipara, Baraigram, Gurudaspur, Lalpur, Natore Sadar and Singra.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Natore Rajbari and Dighapatia Rajbari (Uttara Ganabhaban), Dayarampur Rajbari (Bagatipara) and Budpara Kali Mandir (Lalpur).
Historical Events: Indigo resistance movements were held in this district during 1859 to 1860. During the War of Liberation in 1971 a direct battle was fought between the Pak army and the freedom fighters on 29 March in which about 40 members of the Pak army including Major Aslam and Capt Ishaq were killed.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass grave 5, memorial 1.
Main Crops: Paddy, wheat, sugarcane, betel leaf. Extinct or nearly extinct crops are Indigo, Aus and aman paddy.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, banana, coconut and lichi.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart, buffalo cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.