Barisal is located in south-central Bangladesh. Formerly a district called Bakhraganj, it is now a division. The town lies in the Ganges (Padma) River delta on an offshoot of the Arial Khan River (Kirtonkhola). The Barisal town was under the control of the Roychoudhury family, which now has moved to Calcutta.Incorporated as a municipality in 1876 and upgraded to city corporation in 2002, it is a trans-shipment center for rice, hides, and pulses. Bakery, textile, Pharmaceutical products are output of a few industrial installation. It is linked by steamer with Dhaka (73 miles [117 km] north) and with Chittagong to the southeast. Road communication improved in last decade with building of few bridges. There is a medical college (Sher-e Bangla Medical College ) affiliated with the National University.It also has a famous Cadet College - Barisal Cadet College(est 1985) which has a number of record results on both HSC and SSC board exams.

Barisal division

• Area: 13297 sq.km.
• Population: 7,757,000
• Zilas: Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jhalakati, Pirojpur.

Barisal Zila

• Area: 2791
• Population: 2,299,000

• Upazilas: Barisal Sadar, Agailjhara, Babuganj, Bakerganj, Banaripara, Gaurnadi, Hizla, Barisal Sadar, Mehendiganj, Muladi, Wazirpur.