Sylhet

Sylhet sits on the banks of the Surma River in northeastern Bangladesh, surrounded by gentle hills and green tea gardens. The city center stretches along the riverbanks and shows a mix of low-rise residential buildings, markets, and modern commercial districts, while farther out, fields with gas wells and stone quarries mark the landscape.

An Islamic missionary established a religious center here in the 14th century, drawing traders and believers from across the region. Under British rule, the settlement grew into an important trading post for tea and other raw materials transported along the river.

The city serves as a spiritual center for many Muslims across South Asia who travel here to pray at the shrine of a 14th-century saint. In the streets, you hear a distinct dialect spoken everywhere that differs noticeably from the Bengali used in the rest of the country.

An international airport to the northwest connects the city with other parts of the country and with destinations abroad. Several colleges offer degree programs in different fields, and most lie within walking distance of the city center.

A large portion of families living here maintains close ties with relatives in the United Kingdom who regularly send money home, supporting the local economy. This relationship is visible in the cityscape, where modern shops and restaurants stand alongside traditional bazaars.