Rangamati is the largest district of Bangladesh located in the southern part of the country under Chittagong division. The term ‘Rangamati’, it is said, has been originated from the reddish soil of land of which ‘Ranga’ means red and ‘Mati’ means soil. It is surrounded by Tripura of India at north, Bandarban at south, Mizoram of India at east and Khagrachari & Chittagong at west. The total area of this district is 6,116.11 km2 (2,361.44 sq mi) of which 1,291.5 km2 (498.7 sq mi) riverine and 4,824.63 km2 (1,862.80 sq mi) is under forest vegetation. The total population of the area is 595,979 which is divided into Bangalees and indigenous groups. The density of the area is 97 per square kilometer. The literacy rate of this district is 43.60%. (Census 2011).
Rangamati consists of ten Upazilas, two Pourashavas and Forty Nine Unions. Rangamati District has a long history and heritage of rich culture of indigenous & Bengali people. There are Chakma, Murong, Pankho, Marma, Chak, Tripura, Lucai, Kheang, Tanchanga, Khumi known as indigenous people besides Bengali. The Rangamati Pourahsava (municipality) was established in 1972 while the Baghaicahri Pourashava was established in 2004. The people living in this district among tribals are mostly Buddhisht, some are Hindus and Christian while most of the people are muslims among Bangalees. It is the biggest district in Bangladesh according to area. Karnafuli is the main river of Rangamati. Besides that, Kassalong, Chengi, Myani, Kaptai Lake are notable water bodies.
Biju, Sangrai, Baisabi festival, Hal Palani festival, Pala Gan, Pahari Lokageeti, Geeti Nritya Natak (dance drama),Garaiya dance, Jhum dance, Bamboo dance, Bottle dance are the prevalent folk culture of the district. Rangamati is famous for Cashew Nut, Watermelon, Bangla Banana, different fishes of Kaptai lake. Pajon (a curry made of 36 different items), Sidol (kind of a fish), Do-Choani (home-made alcohol) are famous among the indigenous people.
During the war of liberation, Ranagamati district was under Sector 1. On 27 March 1971, a temporary training camp was established in the playground of the Station Club to locally train the freedom fighters. Awarded with the title “Birsrestha” (highest title for the contribution on the liberation war) Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rauf of 8 East Bengal Regiment destroyed 2 gun boats and one speed boat of the Pak army and drowned to death about one platoon Pak soldiers and embraced martyrdom on April 20 in Rangamati. There were base camps of the Pakistan Army at Barkal, Farua and Shukur Chhari in 1971. More than one hundred freedom fighters were killed in encounters with the Pak army in the Farua area. Rangamati district was liberated on 14 December.
Rangamati has been a very attractive place for tourists. Every year thousands of tourists from all over the country and abroad come to visit Rangamati. The prime attraction of the district is the Kaptai Lake which is the largest in South Asia, Sovalong fountain, Hanging bridge, Rajbanbihar, Rajbari , Tribal Cultural Institute, Tribal Market etc. Tourists also enjoy the beauty of Kaptai lake from different hill points by visiting Kaptai Rangamati road. The district is also known to all for having a Hydraulic Power Plant at Kaptai and Terrestrial Earth Satellite at Betbunia, Kawkhli. There is also a hill top point near town mostly known as Furman Peak from where one can enjoy the amazing view of the whole Town. Palace, dighi and mosque of Raja Jan Baksh Khan, remnants of the residence of Raja Harish Chandra Roy (1873) also attract many tourists.
| At a glance Rangamati | ||
| 01 | Area | 6,116.11 km2 (2,361.44 sq mi) |
| 02 | Population | Total: 595,979
Male: 274551, Female: 233631; Muslim :187132, Hindu: 26944, Buddhist: 8781, Christian: 284906 others 419 |
| 03 | Founding Year | 1983 |
| 03 | Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| 04 | Literacy Rate | 43.60% |
| 05 | Seats in the Parliament | 1 |
| 06 | Postcode | 4500 |
| 07 | Sector in Liberation War | |
| Thanas | 12 | |
Upazilas:
- Rangamati Sadar Upazila
- Belaichhari Upazila
- Bagaichhari Upazila
- Barkal Upazila
- Juraichhari Upazila
- Rajasthali Upazila
- Kaptai Upazila
- Langadu Upazila
- Naniarchar Upazila
- Kaukhali Upazila
Main River
- Karnafuli
- Kassalong
- Chengi
- Myani
- Kaptai lake
Foods
- Pajon (a curry made of 36 different things like, dried fishes, beans, potatoes, prones etc.)
- Sidol (fish)
- Do-Choani (alcohol made from rice)
Interested Places
- Kaptai Lake
- Rajbon Bihar
- Furmone Hill
- Royal Palace of the Chakma King
- Raiongkong Pond
- Karnaphuli Paper Mill
- Jamchuk
- Tuktuk Eco Village
- Pedang Ting Ting
- Kaptai National Park
- Hanging Bridge
Famous Personalities
- Santu Larma
- Diponkar Talukdar M.P
- Kamini Mohon Dewan
- Rajmata Binita Roy
- Subimal Dewan
- Kalpa Ranjan Chakma
- Binoy Kumar Chakma
- Manbendra Narayan Chakma
- Chaithoay Rowaza
- Ushatan Talukdar
Written & Edited by- Shaima Akter Sethu.