Sonatala Upazila is an upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Sonatala Thana was established in 1981 from Sariakandi Thana and was converted into an upazila in 1984. It is named after its administrative center, the town of Sonatala.

Geography

Sonatala Upazila has a total area of 156.75 sqkm. It borders Rangpur Division to the north, Sariakandi Upazila to the east and south, Gabtali Upazila to the south and west, and Shibganj Upazila, Bogra to the west.

Beels

Goborchapa Beel Chunepacha beel

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Sonatola Upazila had 48,569 households and a population of 186,778. 43,922 (23.52%) were under 10 years of age. Sonatola had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 43.19%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1023 females per 1000 males. 24,720 (13.23%) lived in urban areas.

Economy

Famous markets (Hat)

Administration

Sonatala Upazila is divided into Sonatala Municipality and seven union parishads: Balua, Digdair, Zorgachha, Madhupur, Pakulla, Sonatala Sadar, and Tekani Chukainagar. The union parishads are subdivided into 94 mauzas and 131 villages. Sonatala Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 16 mahallas.

Transport

Rail stations Sayeed Ahmed College, Bhelurpara, and Sonatala are on the branch line connecting Santahar and Kaunia. In July 2014 they were served by six or eight intercity and six mail trains a day.

Education

There are three colleges in the upazila. Government Nazir Akhter College, founded in 1967, is the only public one. A private one is Balua Hat Degree College, founded in 1987. Govt. Sonatola Model High School & College founded in 1908. The madrasa education system includes one fazil madrasa.