Background, Geographic Area and Location: Gopalganj was a sub-division of former Faridpur zila. It was up-graded to a zila on the 1st February, 1984. The original name of the zila was Rajganj. In 1793, the local Zamindar renamed Rajganj as Gopalganj after the name his grandson who was popularly known as Gopal. It is bounded on the north by Faridpur zila, on the east Madaripur and Barisal zilas, on the south by Perojpur and Bagerhat zilas and on the west by Narail zila. It lies between 22º 50' and 23º 01' north latitudes and between 89º 40' and 90º 02' east longitudes. The total area of the zila is 1,468.74 sq. km. (567.00 sq. miles).
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 35.8°C, minimum 12.6°C. Total rainfall is 2105 mm.
Main Rivers: Garai, Madhumati, Kaliganga, Hunda, Ghagar, and old Kumar; Borni Baor, Chandar Beel and Baghyar Beel are notable.
Administration: Gopalganj zila was established in 1984. Earlier it was a subdivision under Faridpur zila. Gopalganj municipality was established in 1972. The area of the town is 8.59 sq km. The zila consists of 5 upazilas, 68 unions, 597 mauzas, 889 villages, 4 paurashavas, 36 wards and 84 mahallas. The upazilas are GOPALGANJ SADAR, KASHIANI, KOTALIPARA, MUKSUDPUR and TUNGIPARA.
Historical Events: A battle between Babur (emperor of the Mughal) and Nusrat Shah (sultan of Bengal) was held on the bank of the Ghargara (presently the Ghagar). FAKIR-SANNYASI RESISTANCE was held in the region during the early part of the British rule. Dhirendra Nath Bishwas of Kotalipara was killed in anti British movement. Mahananda Bishwas of Jalilpar was killed during the mass upsurge of 1969. The Mazar (graveyard) of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is located at Tungipara.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass killing site 1, memorial monument 2, mass grave 2.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane and ground nut.
Main Fruits: Mango, black berry, palm, banana.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin and horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
Main Exports: Jute, ground nut, molasses, sugarcane.
