It has an area of 18,174.4 square kilometres (7,017.2 sq mi)[6] and a population at the 2022 Census of 20,353,119.

The region has historically been dominated by various feudal Rajas, Maharajas and Zamindars.

Dominated by various feudal Rajas, Maharajas and Zamindars of mixed origins throughout history,[8] the name is a compound of the words Raj and Shahi, both of which can be translated into reign or kingdom.

At the time of the 2022 Bangladeshi census, Rajshahi division had a population of 20,351,864.

Other religions (almost entirely Christianity and indigenous faiths) are only 0.59% of the population and are mainly found among the ethnic minorities.