Background, Geographic Area and Location: Naogaon was one of the sub-divisions of former Rajshahi zila. It was up-grated to zila on the 1st March, 1984. It is believed that the present zila headquarters initially developed in a mauza comprising of nine (meaning ‘Nao’ in Bangla) villages (meaning ‘Gaon’ in Bangla). The zila might have derived its name as Naogaon from the words ‘Nao’ and ‘Gaon’. The zila is bounded on the north by India, on the east by Joypurhat and Bogra zilas, on the south by Natore and Rajshahi zilas and on the west by Nawabganj and India. The total area of the zila is 3435.65 sq.km. (1326.00 sq.miles) of which 9.09 sq.km. (3.51) sq. miles) is reverine and 19.45 sq.km (7.51 sq. miles) is under forest. The zila lies between 24º 32' and 25º 13' north latitudes and between 28º 23' and 89º 10' east longitudes.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 37.8°C and minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1862 mm.
Main Rivers: ATRAI, PUNARBHABA, LITTLE JAMUNA, NAGAR, Chiri and Tulsi Ganga. Guta, Mansur and Dighali beels are notable.
Administration: Naogaon subdivision, under Rajshahi zila, was established in 1877 and was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 11 upazilas, 99 unions, 2565 mauzas, 2854 villages, 3 paurashavas, 27 wards and 76 mahallas. The upazilas are NAOGAON SADAR, ATRAI, BADALGACHHI, DHAMOIRHAT, MANDA, MAHADEBPUR, NIAMATPUR, PATNITALA, PORSHA, RANINAGAR and SAPAHAR.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Paharpur Buddhist Vihara, Jagaddal Vihara, Halud Vihara, Agrapuri Vihara.
Historical Events: Indigo rebellion (1859-62); peasant revolt against the zamindar in protest of increasing land revenue (1883).
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass grave 9; mass killing site 7, memorial sculpture 1, monument 1.
Ethnic Nationals: Mainly Santal, Oraon and Mahali.
Main Crops: Paddy, potato, watermelon, oil seeds, pulses. Extinct or nearly extinct crops Opium, indigo, aman and aus paddy, tobacco, vetch.
Fruit Production: Mango, jackfruit, banana, litchi, coconut.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart, buffalo cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
