Background, Geographic Area and Location: The zila of Tangail was renamed as Tangail zila in 1984. There are different views about the origin of the zila name. The popular view is that the zila name has been derived from the word Tanga meaning horse cart which was largely parked at the present zila headquarters for carrying Indigo. The zila is bounded on the north by Jamalpur zila, of the east by Mymensingh and Gazipur zilas, on the south by Manikganj and Dhaka zilas and on the west by the river Jamuna and Sirajganj zila. The total area of the zila is 3414.35 sq. km. (1318.00 sq. miles) of which 497.27 sq. km. (192.00 sq. miles) is under forest. The zila lies between 24º 01' and 24º 47' north latitudes and between 89º 44' and 90º 18' east longitudes.
Main Rivers: JAMUNA, DHALESHWARI, Jhenai, Bangshi, Lohajang, Turag. Madhupur forestry and Sukhipur and Ghatail hillocks are notable.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 38.33°C, minimum 7.13°C; annual rainfall 136.33 mm.
Administration: Tangail subdivision was established in 1870 and was turned into a zila in 1969. The area of the town is 35.22 sq. km. Tangail Municipality was established in1887. The zila consists of 12 upazilas, 110 unions, 1855 mauzas, 2443 villages, 9 paurashavas, 90 wards and 239 mahallas.The upazilas are TANGAIL SADAR, BASAIL, BHUAPUR, DELDUAR, GHATAIL, GOPALPUR, KALIHATI, MADHUPUR, MIRZAPUR, NAGARPUR, SAKHIPUR and DHANBARI.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Atia Mosque (1608), Sagardighi, Ichamati Dighi, Nagarpur Dighi, Khamarpara Mosque, Dhanbari Mosque (1685).
Tourist Attraction: National Park at Madhupur, BANGABANDHU MULTIPURPOSE BRIDGE (Kalihati).
Historical Events: Kagmari Conference (1957), Sannyasi revolt (1850), Peasant revolt (1858). During the Liberation War in 1971 Abdul Kader Siddiqui of Tangail independently led military operations against Pakistan army. His group was named Kaderia Bahini after its leader. This bahini led many successful guerrilla operations in Tangail. Kader Siddiqui himself was wounded at the Makrar battle near Balla village. The most noted successful operation of the Kaderia Bahini was the capture of a Pakistani ship with huge amount of arms and ammunitions at Bhuapur. In 1996, a devastating tornado caused heavy damage to a few villages.
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass killing site 4, memorial 1.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, wheat, mustard seed and pulse.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, banana, litchi, pineapple, guava.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart, panshi nauka (luxurious boat) and Gaina nauka (passenger boat).
Main Exports: Jute, pineapple, banana, sugarcane, sari, sweetmeat.
