Background, Geographic Area and Location: Chandpur zila was formerly a sub-division of Comilla zila. It was upgraded to a zila on the 15th February, 1984. There are different views about the origin of the zila name. There is a popular belief that the zila name has been derived from the name Chand Roy who was an influential Zamindar of Vikrampur. According to another openion, the zila has originated its name from the name Chand Faquir, a pious man of the locality.
The zila is bounded on the north by Munshiganj and Comilla zilas, on the east by Comilla zila, on the south by Lakshmipur and Barisal zilas and on the west by Munshiganj and Shariatpur zilas. It lies between 23° 00' and 23° 30' north latitude and between 90° 32' and 91° 02' east longitudes. The total area of the zila is 1,645.32 sq .km (635.00 sq. miles).
River erosion is a common feature in this zila. The Padma and the Meghna meet near Chandpur Town and take a vast expanse. Main tributaries of the Meghna are Dakatia, Dhanagada, Matlab and Udhamdi. Ghorgaon Jala is a beel.
Temperature and Rainfall: Annual average temperature- maximum 34.3°C, minimum 12.7°C and rainfall 2551 mm.
Chandpur (Town) a municipal town stands on the bank of the River Meghna. Its area is 7.77 sq km. Chandpur Municipality was established in 1897. In the map of Greater Bengal by James Renel Chandpur has been exactly indicated along with Tripura. JN Sengupta thinks that Chandpur was named after zamindar Chand Ray of Bikrampur. Some people think that it was named after darvish Chand Fakir of village Koralia adjacent to the town. Again, some people think that it was named after Chand Sawdagar of the MAIMANSINGHA GITIKA who used to come to this port for trade with his Swapta Dinga "Madhukar". During the first part of the twentieth century some European and Indian business firms established several jute mills here. But with the partition of Indian sub continent in 1947 most of these business establishments were closed down. This port was an important centre for jute and grain trades. Besides, many other trades on ship building, salt refinery, fishing net making and oil production are present in this port. However, some parts of the town have submerged into riverbed due to erosion and the Puran (old) Bazar is now under threat of river erosion.
Administration: Chandpur sub-division was established in 1878 and was included in Tripura zila. It was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 8 upazilas, 88 unions, 927 mauzas, 1230 villages, 7 paurashavas, 72 wards and 268 mahallas. The upazilas are CHANDPUR SADAR, HAJIGANJ, KACHUA, FARIDGANJ, MATLAB UTTAR, MATLAB DAKSHIN, HAIMCHAR and SHAHRASTI.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Rasti Shah Dargah, Begum Mosque, Hajiganj Bara Mosque, Suja Mosque, Alamgiri Mosque, Mada Khan Mosque, Kalimandir at Matlab, Math at Lohagara, Math at Naorai, Math at Tultuli (Kachua), Raths at Sachar and Matlab, Pata of Behula at Ujani, ramnants of the fort at Nasir Court, Kali Bari at Meher, Neelkuthi at Shahebganj, Baraduara at Kasimbazar, Kalibari Mandir (1878) at Chandpur Sadar.
Marks of War of Liberation: Memorial monument "Aungikar", Amra tomader bhulbana (we shall never forget you) at Faridganj, "Dipta Bangladesh" at Matlab and Chandrakandi memorial monument (Sadullahpur, Matlab); mass killing site: Raghunathpur Bazar (Hajiganj), Hamidia Jute Mils Compound, North and south Ray Sree; mass grave: Nasircourt (Hajiganj).
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, mustard seed, supari (nut), wheat, potato and sugarcane. Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, kaun and china, local variety of rice, varieties of dal (pulse).
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, papaya, banana, papaya, coconut, palm and guava.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, bullock cart and horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
