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Cox’s Bazar, historically referred to as Panowa, meaning ‘yellow flower,’ was once also known as Palongkee. The town’s current name honors Captain Hiram Cox, an army officer who served in British India and passed away in 1799. Today, Cox’s Bazar is recognized as one of Bangladesh’s prominent fishing ports.

Founded in 1854, Cox’s Bazar gained municipality status in 1869. Following the end of British rule in 1947, it became part of East Pakistan. Captain Advocate Fazlul Karim, who served as the first chairman of Cox’s Bazar Municipality after independence, played a key role in creating the Tamarisk Forest along the beach. The Sea Beach boasts the title of the world’s longest uninterrupted sandy beach, stretching an impressive 120 km. Its pristine, mud-free sands make it one of the most breathtaking beaches globally.

Cox’s Bazar, situated in southeastern Bangladesh, serves as a city, fishing port, tourism hub, and district headquarters. It is best known for its expansive natural sandy beach and is also notable for housing the world’s largest refugee camp. The city lies approximately 150 km (93 miles) south of Chittagong, the divisional headquarters.
The town is also renowned for its fresh seafood, sourced daily from the Bay of Bengal. Popular dishes include fried fish, fish curry, and shrimp biryani.

However, Cox’s Bazar faces significant challenges. In recent years, sewage pollution from local hotels has emerged as a major issue. The town lacks an effective waste management system, and plastic pollution poses a severe threat to its ecological balance.