Purnia

The district of Purnia, as it existed in 1951 with an area of 12784.64 sq. km. and a population of 25,25,231 has been pre-eminently an agricultural district.After separating the Katihar District, the area of Purnia District was 7943 sq. km. and accounts for 4.56 % of the state area. In the year 1990 , the district was split two more districts namely Araria and Kishanganj. Now the present area of the Purnia District is 3202.31 sq. kms. , Bordering Araria district in north, Katihar and Bhagalpur district in South, West Dinajpur district of W.B. and Kishanganj district of Bihar in east and Madhepura and Saharsa District in the west. It is situated between 25 degree 13 minutes 80 seconds and 27-degree 7 minutes 59 seconds north latitude and between 86 degree 59 minutes 6 seconds and 87-degree 52 minutes 35 seconds east longitude.
Hindi is the main language of the district; however, dialects are in vogue in different parts of the district for day-to-day use. People of Amour and Baisa blocks, speak Surjapuri. In the eastern side of Baisi block people speak Polia. Chhika-Chhiki or Angika is spoken in Rupouli and Bhawanipur and some part of Dhamdaha, K.Nagar and Purnia East Block. In Banmankhi , B.Kothi and some part of Dhamdaha. K.Nagar people speak a mix of Maithili and Chhika-Chhiki. Santhali people speak Santhali. In the east and South Baisi block Bangla is also spoken. Out siders speak their own dialects.

The river Kosi and Mahananda and their tributaries crosses different parts of the district. The tributaries are Parman, Kankai, Soura, Faryani etc. These Himalayan originated rivers and tributaries sub-merge with river Ganges.

The tract of land is plain, however, north and west part is above the south as well as the eastern side of the land of the district.
The district has a moist humid climate. The temperature is highest in May, when mercury shoots up to 45.5 degree Celsius and lowest in January when it is only 8.8 degree Celsius. The Wettest months of the year are July and August. The average annual rainfall in the district is 1411.5 mm which is the highest rainfall in the state of Bihar. The winter starts in November and continues up to February. Summer starts from April and lasts up to June. Rains start from 15th May and cool the temperature. Purnia is popularly known as poor man's Darjeeling.
The district has one Sugar mill at Banmankhi and 716 other small-scale industries. In spite of availability of raw materials and abundance of laborers, no marked improvement has been made in the field of rural and cottage industries.