Chittagong (Bengali: চট্টগ্রাম, Choţţogram) is the second-largest city and main seaport of Bangladesh. Situated on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, it is the principle city of Chittagong Division and a major center of commerce and industry in South Asia. The city, under the jurisdiction of the city corporation, has a population of about 2.5 million and is constantly growing.

Nestled between the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Bay of Bengal, Chittagong is considered as Bangladesh's commercial capital and home to the country's major industries. Being the country's major seaport, much of Bangladesh's export and import passes through the Port of Chittagong. The port has extensive modern facilities and is expected to be transformed into a world class deep sea port in the coming years in order to cater to the growing economies of the region including that of Bangladesh, eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, western China and northern Burma. The city has a vibrant economy and a diverse population of Bengalis, Chakma, Burmese, Tripuri, Chinese, Korean and Marma.

Chittagong is located at 22 22′0″N 91 48′0″E / 22.36667 N 91.8 E / 22.36667; 91.8 on the banks of the Karnaphuli River. The City Corporation has a total area of 168.07 square kilometers (65 sq mi). The city is known for its vast hilly terrain that stretches throughout the entire district and eventually into India.

The people of the city are diverse and multi-ethnic, and the native Bengali and Tibeto-Burman populations have had significant influence from Arab, Afghan, and Mughal traders and settlers, all of whom had travelled in the city after arriving on its shores many hundreds of years ago. There are many Tibeto-Burman tribes that have been influenced by Bengali culture also living there, such as the Chakma people. The descendants of Portuguese settlers, known as the Firingi, also continue to live in Chittagong, as Catholic Christians, in the old Portuguese enclave of Pathor Ghata. Chittagong is home to many of the historic Christians of Bangladesh. In 1927, the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chittagong.

The sea-borne exports consist chiefly of ready made garments, knitwear, frozen food, jute and jute goods, leather and leather products, tea, and chemical products. There is also a large trade by country boats, bringing chiefly cotton, rice, spices, sugar and tobacco. Ship breaking was introduced to the area in 1969.

According to City Mayors Statistics Chittagong registered a GDP of $16 billion in 2005 with an annual growth rate of 6.3%. It is estimated that in 2020 the GDP of Chittagong will be $39 billion.

Many Chittagong natives speak Chittagonian (চাটগাঁইয়া Chaţgaia), an Indo-European language of the Eastern Indic group. Chittagonian has approximately 14 million speakers.According to the status of Top 100 Languages by Population by Ethnologue, Chittagong ranked in 67th Language of the world.

Source : Wikipedia