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Dhaka Metropolitan area ঢাকা মহানগর এলাকা
Megalopolis
Greater Dhaka
Satellite image of Greater Dhaka metropolitan region
Dhaka city is shown in blue and other towns and cities are shown in red
City corporations andmunicipalities	Dhaka North Dhaka South Gazipur Narayanganj Savar Siddhirganj Keraniganj Fatullah
Government
• Body	Government of Bangladesh (de facto)
Area
• Megalopolis	2,569.55 km2 (992.11 sq mi)
• Water	385.35 km2 (148.78 sq mi)  15%
• Metro	867.49 km2 (334.94 sq mi)
Elevation	7 m (23 ft)
Population  (2024)
• Megalopolis	23,981,232
GDP(Nominal, 2023)[1]
• Megalopolis	US$85.5 billion
• Per capita	US$3,700

Greater Dhaka (Bengali:বৃহত্তর ঢাকা) is themegalopolis including and surrounding theBangladeshi capital city ofDhaka, which has grown into one of the world's largest megacities, and shows a very rapid rate of expansion. Dhaka not only grows because it is the capital and largest urban centre but also due to massive internal displacement from millions of people living in a perennially flood-prone river delta.

The area of Dhaka Statistical Metropolitan Area was 1,353 square kilometers, of which Dhaka City Corporation occupied 276 square kilometers at the 2001 census.^[2] The Dhaka Statistical Metropolitan Area (SMA) covers the Dhaka Municipal Corporation area andSavar Upazila andKeraniganj Upazila ofDhaka District (note: only a portion of the district is part of the metropolitan area),Narayanganj Sadar Upazila,Bandar Upazila andRupganj Upazila ofNarayanganj District,Gazipur Sadar Upazila andKaliakair Upazila ofGazipur District. New 2021 estimates for Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (web) tally just over 24 million for 3 districts in their entirety. (white area in map also includes 6 districts:Manikganj,Munshiganj andNarsindi)

Greater Dhaka, encompassing the capital city of Bangladesh and its surrounding metropolitan areas, has a rich and diverse history spanning over a thousand years. From its early settlements to its emergence as the political and economic centre of the nation, Dhaka has played a crucial role in the historical evolution of Bengal.

The history of Dhaka dates back to ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting human settlements in the region as early as the 7th century CE. The area was part of various ancient and medieval states, including theMaurya andGupta Empires, as well as thePala andSena dynasties. During this period, Dhaka was known for its strategic location along trade routes, particularly due to its proximity to major rivers.

The transformation of Dhaka into a prominent urban centre began during theMughal era. In 1608, the Mughal SubahdarIslam Khan Chishti declaredDhaka the capital ofBengal Subah, replacing Rajmahal. The city was namedJahangirnagar in honor ofEmperor Jahangir. Under Mughal rule, Dhaka flourished as a hub of trade and commerce, particularly in the textile industry. Muslin fabric produced in Dhaka gained international fame, attracting merchants from Europe and the Middle East.

The Mughal rulers constructed several significant architectural structures, includingLalbagh Fort,Chawkbazar Mosque, andBara Katra, many of which still stand today. The city expanded with the construction of mosques, bridges, caravanserais, and gardens, solidifying its status as a major administrative and economic centre.

Following the decline of Mughal rule, Dhaka came under the control of theBritish East India Company in 1765 and later became part ofBritish India. The city experienced a period of economic stagnation asKolkata (then Calcutta) emerged as the primary administrative and commercial hub of British Bengal. However, Dhaka remained an important cultural and trade centre, particularly in the jute industry. The establishment of educational institutions, such asDhaka College (1841) and later theUniversity of Dhaka (1921), contributed to the intellectual and political awakening of the region.

With the partition of British India in 1947, Dhaka became the capital ofEast Pakistan, a province of the newly formedPakistan. This period saw significant infrastructural development, including the establishment of government offices, new industries, and educational institutions. However, tensions between East andWest Pakistan grew due to linguistic, economic, and political discrimination, culminating in theBengali Language Movement of 1952 and the eventual rise of nationalist sentiments.

The city became the epicentre of theBangladesh Liberation War in 1971. On March 7, 1971,Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic speech at theRacecourse Ground (now Suhrawardy Udyan), calling for self-determination. The war officially began withOperation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, when thePakistan Army launched a brutal crackdown on Dhaka’s population. After nine months of conflict, Dhaka witnessed the surrender of the Pakistan Army on December 16, 1971, marking the independence ofBangladesh.

Following independence, Dhaka was declared the capital of Bangladesh. The city saw rapid urbanization and expansion as people from across the country migrated for better opportunities. The development of infrastructure, industries, and transportation networks transformed Dhaka into a majorSouth Asian metropolis. The creation of satellite towns such asNarayanganj,Gazipur, andSavar contributed to the concept of Greater Dhaka, encompassing a wider metropolitan area.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Greater Dhaka witnessed significant economic growth, particularly in the ready-made garment industry, telecommunications, and information technology. However, challenges such as overpopulation, traffic congestion, waterlogging, and environmental degradation have accompanied this growth. Today, Greater Dhaka is one of the world's most densely populated urban regions, serving as the political, economic, and cultural heart of Bangladesh. It is home to key government institutions, multinational corporations, renowned universities, and historical landmarks. Ongoing projects such as theDhaka Metro Rail, elevated expressways, and urban redevelopment initiatives aim to modernize the city while addressing infrastructural challenges. Despite its complexities, Greater Dhaka continues to be a dynamic and evolving megacity, reflecting the resilience and aspirations of its people.

Since the 2001 Census, Dhaka has grown tremendously, as evidenced by the 2011 Census figures. However, definitions were changed between the two censuses, with several outlyingupazilas situated in neighbouring administrative districts being included in the expanded definition. The following table shows the revision of the metropolitan area, shown in blue and red on map, based on 2011 figures:

• ^ Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Pocket Book, 2008 (pdf-file) 2008 Population Estimate. View Page 7 for the population of Dhaka Metropolitan Area.

• Districts and regions of Greater Dhaka
• Geography of Dhaka Division
• Metropolitan areas of Bangladesh

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