Rivers, lakes & waterways

Dhaka’s geography is fundamentally shaped by its rivers. The city is bounded by the historically vital **Buriganga River** to the south, which has served as its commercial lifeline for centuries. The **Turag River** runs to the west, the **Balu River** to the east, and the **Shitalakshya River** to the southeast. Within the city, urban lakes like **Dhanmondi Lake**, **Gulshan-Baridhara Lake**, and the interconnected **Hatirjheel** project provide critical drainage, environmental cooling, and scenic waterfront public spaces.