Bandarban (বান্দরবান) is a district in South-Eastern Bangladesh, and a part of the Chittagong Division. It is one of the three districts that make up the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the others being Rangamati District and Khagrachhari District. Bandarban is regarded as one of the most attractive travel destinations in Bangladesh.

Other Districts in Chittagong Division: Bandarban | Brahmanbaria | Chandpur | Chittagong | Comilla | Cox's Bazar | Feni | Khagrachhari | Lakshmipur | Noakhali | Rangamati

4479.01 square kilometers (1729.36 square miles).

388335

Rangamati district on the north, Arakan (Myanmar) and the river naf on the south, Arakan and Rangamati district on the east and Chittagong and Cox's Bazar district on the west

Bandarban district was established in 1983. It consists of 7 upazilas, 32 unions, 140 mouzas, 1482 villages, 1 municipality, 10 wards and 62 mahallas.

Alikadam Upazila, Bandarban Sadar Upazila, Lama Upazila, Naikhongchhari Upazila, Rowangchhari Upazila, Ruma Upazila, Thanchi Upazila

The British rulers declared Bandarban as a forest zone because of its vast forest area devoid of human settlement. The Arakanese were permanently settled in Bandarban after the British ascendancy in Arakan.

Heavily dependent on Jumm farming, which is a slash and burn agricultural technique, Bandarban produces little that is of economic value outside self consumption of the hill people, also known as Jumia. Fruits (banana, pineapple, jackfruit, papaya), masala (ginger, turmeric) and tribal textile are the major exports of the district, with tourism growing fast as a source of revenue.[citation needed] Much of the trade in fruit, like most other commerce in the district, has been taken over by Bengali settlers.
Clothes are mostly made of cotton, wool imported from Myanmar and silk cotton which is a rarity in most of Bangladesh. All cotton is spun and woven by hand. To promote local textile there now is a Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC) centre in Bandarban together with a wonderful sales centre. BSCIC has also introduced mechanical spinning and weaving here.
Bamboo and tobacco grows in significant quantity, but largely is not considered as economically profitable products. Bamboo is used, along with canes, not just to make the traditional stilt houses, but is the material for most tribal craft, including the bamboo smoking pipe, a major health hazard. Some bamboo-craft and local-made cigarillos are now exported out of the district.

Dailies: Jug Rabi and Natun Bangladesh; periodical: Sangu.

Shankha (Sangu), Matamuhuri and bakkhali.