Barisl (also spelt Barisal) is located in south-central Bangladesh. Formerly a district called Bakerganj, it is since 1993 one of the 6 divisions of Bangladesh. 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. The present divisional commissioner of Barisal Division is Mr.Mohammad Haroon Chowdhury.

Barisal Division

* Area: 13297 sq.km.
* Population: 7,757,000
* Zillas: Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Patuakhali, Pirojpur.
Culture and Places of interest

Just 30 km out of Barisal City is the place called Durga Sagar which is a large pond. Serving as a place for holiday trips for the city’s residents, it is also attracts visitors from other places. This is one of the main places of residence for the migrant birds that comes in winter.
Near Durga Sagar are the ancient ruins of the palace of a local Lord (called Jamidar in Bangla). Anyone can have a view of the palaces of this time by the sight of it. It is only a 15 minutes ride on a non-pollutant three wheeler called Van from Durga Sagar[.
The Bell’s Park is a place inside Barisal City, right on the banks of River Kirtonkhola.
Nor far from Barisal city, there is a beach called Kuakata. There is a motel in Kuakata and a place with colorful tribals.
Near Barisal city, over river Kirtonkhola a Bridge is under construction from October 2006 named Dapdapia Bridge.