Fakirhat Upazila is an administrative sub‑district (upazila) of Bagerhat District in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh. It is situated in the southwestern part of the country, bordering the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Geography
- Coordinates: approximately 22°38′N 89°27′E.
- Total area: about 174.71 km² (67.5 sq mi).
- The upazila is traversed by a network of rivers, including the Rupsa and Shibsha, and contains several low‑lying islands (char lands) and coastal wetlands.
Administrative divisions
- Fakirhat Upazila is divided into one municipality (Fakirhat Municipality) and nine union parishads: Bhandaria, Chitalgati, Dhalghat, Dhandia, Fakirhat, Ghoshpur, Haridaskati, Khalishpur, and Khasial.
- These union parishads are further subdivided into 91 mauzas and 127 villages.
Demographics (based on the 2011 Bangladesh Census)
- Total population: 140,823.
- Gender distribution: roughly 50.5 % male and 49.5 % female.
- Literacy rate: 53.2 % (population aged 7 years and over).
- The majority of residents are Bengali Muslims, with small Hindu and other minority communities.
Economy
- The local economy is primarily agrarian, with rice, jute, and various vegetables as principal crops.
- Fishing and aquaculture are significant due to the proximity to coastal waters and inland rivers.
- Small‑scale trade and services are concentrated in Fakirhat town and surrounding market centres.
Education
- The upazila hosts several primary and secondary schools, both government‑run and private.
- Notable secondary institutions include Fakirhat Government High School and Bhandaria High School.
- There is at least one government college, Fakirhat College, providing higher secondary education.
Infrastructure and transport
- Road connectivity is provided by regional highways linking Fakirhat with Bagerhat town and other neighboring upazilas.
- River transport remains important for the movement of goods and people, especially to the char areas.
- Basic utilities such as electricity, drinking water, and telecommunications are available, though service levels vary between urban and rural zones.
Health services
- Health care is delivered through a Upazila Health Complex, union health and family welfare centres, and private clinics.
Cultural and notable sites
- The upazila contains several historical mosques and temples reflecting its cultural heritage.
- Proximity to the Sundarbans mangrove forest influences local traditions and livelihoods.
References
- Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Population Census 2011.
- Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) publications on upazila administrative structures.
All information presented is derived from publicly available encyclopedic and governmental sources; no speculative content is included.
