town, south-central Bangladesh. It is situated along the Patuakhali River, a distributary of the Arial Khan. A trading centre for rice, flour, jute, textiles, and milled wood, it is connected by road and river with Barisal. It is home to the Patuakhali Science and Technology University, as well as many colleges, most of which are government institutions.

The surrounding area is a floodplain drained by the Haringhata, Bishkhali, and Burishwar rivers, forming part of the Sundarbans, the swampy southern region of the Padma River (Ganges 【Ganga】 River (Ganges River)) delta. Rice, jute, potatoes, sugarcane, chilies, and assorted vegetables are among the chief crops; freshwater and saltwater fishes are abundant. Pop. (2001) 62,665.