Sylhet (, ; historically Shilahatta; also Jalalabaad) is a major city that lies on the banks of
Surma River in north-east
Bangladesh. As of the 2011 census, the city has a population of 479,837. It is surrounded by tea estates, sub-tropical hills, rain forests and river valleys; the
region is one of the leading
tourist destinations in the country. The city has one of the highest literacy rates in the country. Many Sylhetis live abroad, particularly in London of the UK, where they form a prominent community.