Barisal

Barisal
বরিশাল
Barishal
From top: Barisal Launch Terminal,
University of Barisal, Guthia Mosque,
Oxford Mission Church,
Brojomohun College, Barisal Museum
Nickname: 
Venice of the East
Barisal
Location of Barisal in Bangladesh
Barisal
Barisal (Bangladesh)
Coordinates: 22°42′36″N 90°21′47″E / 22.710°N 90.363°E / 22.710; 90.363
CountryBangladesh
DivisionBarisal Division
DistrictBarisal District
Municipality established1876 (1876)
City Corporation2002 (2002)
Granted city status19 April 2001
Government
  TypeMayor–Council
  BodyBarishal City Corporation
  AdministratorMd. Shaukat Ali
  City Council30 constituencies
  Parliament1 constituencies
Area
  Urban
35.19 km2 (13.59 sq mi)
  Metro
69.61 km2 (26.88 sq mi)
Elevation
1 m (4 ft)
Population
 (2022)
  Urban
386,775
  Urban density11,000/km2 (28,000/sq mi)
  Metro
448,152
  Metro density6,400/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Barishali, Barishailla
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
Postal code
8200
Calling code0431
National calling code+880
PoliceBarisal Metropolitan Police
Domestic airportBarisal Airport
Websitewww.barisal.gov.bd

Barisal (/ˌbʌr əˈsɑːl/ or /ˈbær əˌsɔːl/; Bengali: বরিশাল, pronounced [boɾiʃal]), officially known as Barishal, is a major city that lies on the banks of the Kirtankhola river in south-central Bangladesh. It is the largest city and the administrative headquarter of both Barisal District and Barisal Division. It is one of the oldest municipalities and river ports of the country. The city was once called the Venice of the East or the Venice of Bengal.

Barisal municipality was established in 1876 during the British rule in India and upgraded to City Corporation on 25 July 2002. Barisal is Bangladesh's third largest financial hub after Dhaka and Chittagong. The city consists of 30 wards and 50 mahallas with a population of 533,000, according to the 2023 national census, and about 250,000 voters, according to the 2018 voter list of city election. The area of the city is 58 km2.