Khulna

Khulna (Bengali: খুলনা, pronounced [ˈkʰulna] ) is the capital and largest city of the Khulna Division and the Khulna District. It is the fourth-largest city in Bangladesh, and the third-most populous metropolitan area after Dhaka and Chittagong. It is the divisional centre of 10 districts of the division. Khulna is also the second largest port city of Bangladesh after Chittagong, due to being adjacent to Port of Mongla. There is also a river port within the city named Port of Khulna. Khulna's economy is mainly marine, sea port and local industry based and it is the third-largest in Bangladesh. Khulna is on the Rupsha and Bhairab River, a strategic industrial point in southwestern Bangladesh. It is also an important industrial hub in Bangladeshi industry, hosting many of the nation's largest companies. Khulna's economy is affected by the Port of Mongla, Bangladesh's second-largest seaport. A colonial steamboat service, which includes the Tern, Osrich and Lepcha, operates on the river route to the city. Khulna is considered the gateway to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home of the Bengal tiger. It is north of the Mosque City of Bagerhat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.