Barishal is a major city located on the banks of the Kirtankhola river in south-central Bangladesh. It serves as the administrative headquarters for both the Barisal District and the Barisal Division.
As one of the oldest municipalities and river ports in the country, the city was historically referred to as the Venice of the East or the Venice of Bengal. It is characterized by an extensive network of rivers and waterways that are essential to local transportation.