Background, Geographic Area and Location: Habiganj was one of the sub-divisions of former Sylhet zila. It was up-graded to a zila on the 1st February, 1984. There are different views about the origin of the zila name. There is a popular view that in the past there lived a prominent man named Habibullah who set up a Ganj meaning trading centre in the present zila headquarters. It is belived that the zila name might have been originated from the word Habibullah and Ganj. The zila is bounded on the north by Sunamganj zila, on the east by Maulvibazar and Sylhet zilas, on the south by India and on the west by Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria zilas. The total area of the zila is 2636.59 sq.km. (1017.00 sq.miles) of which 149.48 sq.km (57.72) sq.miles) is under forest. The zila lies between 23° 58' and 24° 42' north latitudes and between 91° 09' and 91° 40' east longitudes.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 33.2°C, minimum 13.6°C. Total rainfall 3334 mm. Noted Rivers: Khowai, Sutang, Korangi, Kalni, Kushiyara, Gopala, Ratna, Barak.
Habiganj Town Committee was established in 1881 and it was turned into a municipality in 1913. During the British period an embankment was constructed along the Khoai to protect the town. The main business centre of the town is Chowdhury Bazar.
Administration: Habiganj subdivision was established in 1874 under SYLHET zila and was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 8 upazilas, 77 unions, 1241 mauzas, 2076 villages, 6 paurashavas, 54 wards and 142 mahallas. The upazilas are AJMIRIGANJ, BANIACHANG, BAHUBAL, CHUNARUGHAT, HABIGANJ SADAR, LAKHAI, MADHABPUR and NABIGANJ.
Historical Events: On 4 April 1971 Col. Ataul Ghani Osmany (supreme commander of the War of Liberation) and some officers of the 2nd and 4th East Bengal Regiment assembled in the Teliapara Tea Garden Dakbungalow to discuss war situation.
Main Crops: Paddy, tea, wheat, potato, jute, ground nut, betel leaf and oil seed.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, banana, litchi, coconut, lemon, pineapple and black berry.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, Gaina boat and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
Mineral Resources: Natural gas.
Hats, Bazars and Fairs: Hats and bazars are 126, fair 23.
