Chittagong isBangladesh'ssecond-largest city andthe country'smajor coastal seaport city and financial centre.Thenatural harbourof Chittagong has been a gateway to the historic region ofBengalfor centuries.It was a prominent trading centre and hosted the first European colonial enclaves in Bengal, which were operated by thePortuguesein the 16th and 17th centuries.
ThePort of Chittagongis the largest international seaport on the Bay of Bengal.The city is home to many of Bangladesh's oldest and largestcompanies, as well as theChittagong Stock Exchange, theChittagong Tea Auctionand the eastern division of theBangladesh Railway. The Chittagong Naval Area is the largest base of theBangladesh Navy.