Ruma Upazila (bandarban district) with an area of 492.10 sq km, is bounded by rowangchhari upazila on the north, thanchi upazila on the south, belaichhari upazila on the east, bandarban sadar and lama upazilas on the west. Main river is Shankha (sangu).

Ruma (Town) consists of one mouza. The area of the town is 33.67sq km. The town has a population of 4311; male 58.85%, female 41.15%. Literacy rate among the town people is 44.4%.

Administration Ruma thana was established in 1976 and was turned into an upazila in 1985. It consists of 4 union parishads, 13 mouzas and 155 villages.

Historical events One of the Arakanese kings Meng Beng (known as Sultan Jabouk Shah) ruled this region for 21 years (1532-53). The Mughals invaded the area in 1666 and ruled until the British had taken control. The region was under the reign of Mraku dynasty until 1784.

Population 19001; male 54.27%, female 45.73%; Muslim 8.91%, Buddhist 47.96%, Hindu 2.51%, Christian 28.40% and others 12.22%. Marmas constitute the largest tribal group of people in the upazila and next to them in number are the Boam, Murong, Khumi, Lusai, Chakma and Khyang.

Literacy Average literacy 22%; male 28.9%, female 14.6%

Main occupations Agriculture 74.87%, agricultural labourer 6.97%, wage labourer 1.35%, commerce 5.22%, service 6.82%, others 4.77%.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk. 25000 to Tk. 50000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, sesame, cotton, turmeric, ginger and vegetables.

Main fruits Banana, jackfruit

Main hats and bazars Ruma Bazar and Murum Ghat

Main exports Bamboo, vegetables, banana, jackfruit, ginger, turmeric

Health centres Upazila health centre and army medical centre 1. [Atiqur Rahman]