Background, Geographic Area and Location: Kurigram was one of the sub-divisions of Rangpur distgrict. It was upgrated to a zila on the 1st February, 1984. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the zila name. The most popular view goes with the fact that in the long past the present place of the zila sadar was a residential area of Kuri (Twenty in English) families of the Meech tribes in consequence of which the place was named as Kurigram. The zila is bounded on the north by India, on the east by India, on the south by Jamalpur and Gaibandha zilas and on the west by Lalmonirhat and Rangpur zilas. It lies between 25023' and 26014' north latitudes and between 89027' and 89054' east longitudes. The zila consists of 9 upazilas, 73 unions, 647 mouzas, 1907 villages, 2 paurashavas, 18 wards, and 122 mahallas. The total area of the zila is 2245.04 sq.km.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 32.3°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 2931 mm.
Main Rivers: BRAHMAPUTRA, DHARLA, TISTA, DUDHKUMAR, Phulkumar, Sonaburi, Jinjiram Gangadhar, Halhali and Jalchira.
Administration: Kurigram subdivision was established in 1874 and was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 9 upazilas, 72 unions, 587 mauzas, 1872 villages, 3 paurashavas, 27 wards, 203 mahallas and 14 enclaves. The upazilas are BHURUNGAMARI, CHAR RAJIBPUR, CHILMARI, PHULBARI, KURIGRAM SADAR, NAGESHWARI, RAJARHAT, RAUMARI and ULIPUR.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Remnants of a mosque (Mughal period, 1176 AH) at Nayarhat (Rajarhat), remnants of a mosque near Patweshwari Bazar (Mughal period), three domed mosque (Mughal period) at village Majider Par of Thanahat Union (Bhurangamari), Arabic inscription of a mosque (Hussain Shahi period, now preserved at the Rajshahi Barendra Museum), Joymoni Zamindar Bari, Naodanga Zamindar Bari and Mandir (Phulbari), Pangeshwari Mandir and remnants of the Rajbari (Rajarhat), image of Kali at Dasherhat, images of Mangal Chandi, Kamakkha Devi, Laksmi and Sattanarayan in front of the Bhetarbandh Zamindar Bari, Kali Siddheshwari Mandir (Ulipur), two canons of Panga Kingdom (preserved at the BDR Gate).
Historical Events: Devi Chaudharani and Bhabani Pathak revolted against the British. They built their secret hermitages in the deep forests. They conducted many encounters against the British and their collaborators during 1760-1783. Quit-India Movement, Tebhaga Movement and Satyagraha Movement spread over Kurigram. During the War of Liberation Raumari, Rajibpur (except Kodalkati union) and Phulbari upazilas were beyond the reach of the Pak army. Many direct encounters between the Freedom Fighters and the Pak army were held in this zila in which about 100 Freedom Fighters were killed.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass killing site and mass grave: Kurigram food office, Jailkhana Gate, in front of the Bungalow of SP (Kurigram), Chilmari, backyard of the residence of the TNO of Bhurungamari, backyard of the Hospital (Bhurungamari), Ulipur Dakbungalow, Hatia Dagar Kuthi and Dharani Bari Madhupur (Ulipur); about 30-32 human skulls have been discovered from the backside of the residence of Altaf Uddin Compounder of village Baghbhandar under Bhurungamari union; memorial monument at the turn of the Kurigram College; Chandipukur (Nageshwari), memorial plank of martyr freedom fighters (Ghosh Para, Kurigram), a memorial plank with names of 18 freedom Fighters in front of the Ulipur Muktijoddha Office.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, wheat, potato, corn, chilli, peanut, bamboo, betel nut, betel leaf, pulses, vegetable. Extinct or nearly extinct crops Indigo, dhemsi, kaun, china, pumpkin, linseed, sesame, aus paddy.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, black berry, litchi, papaya, banana, olive, amra, chalta, boroi, notko, kamranga.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, bullock cart, buffalo cart and horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
Main Exports Items: Jute, paddy, peanut, bamboo, potato, peanut, betel nut, chicken.
