About Bangladesh

DID YOU KNOW?

• The Sundarbans in south west Bangladesh is one of the largest Mangrove forests in the world.
• Bangladesh is the most densely populated major country in the world.
• Bangladesh has some of the largest NGOs in the world and has played a major role in developing micro-finance schemes to help poor people.
• Bangladesh instigated the process in the UN that led to the establishment of International Mother Language Day.
• Bangladesh gained its test status in cricket in 2000
• Bangladesh has the 3rd largest Muslim population and the 8th largest overall population in the world.
• The Bengali Tiger is the national animal.

 Source: Export Promotion Bureau,Bangladeh

At a glance
Official Name	The People's Republic of Bangladesh
Government	Parliamentary form of government, headed by the Prime Minister
Location & Borders	South Asia bordered by India on the east,west & north and by Bay of Bengal on the south and small border strip with Myanmar on the southeast.
Area/Land	147,570 square km-mostly alluvial fertile plain. Territorial Waters 22.22 km. Economic Zone up to 370.40 km. in the high seas, measured from the base line.
Climate/Seasons	Average winter temp (Max 29 deg. C and Min 11 deg. C) . Average Summer temp ( Max 40 deg. C and Min 21 deg C) . Seasons: Summer, Monsoon, Autumn, Late Autumn, Winter & Spring .
Annual rainfall	Varies from 160 cm to 400 cm at different areas.
Humidity	Highest 99 % during peak summer in July, Lowest 36% during winter in Dec-Jan
Standard Time	GMT+6 hours
Population/Literacy	140.6 million /68.5%
Official Language	Bangla, English is generally understood and widely spoken.
Capital	Dhaka , Area 1416 sq. km.
Administrative Units	Division:6; Zila:64; Thana :507; Union :4484; Village:87319
Major cities	Dhaka , Chittagong , Sylhet, Khulna , Rajshahi, Barisal , Mymensing & Comilla
International Airport	Dhaka , Sylhet and Chittagong
Sea Port	Chittagong and Mongla
Places of tourist interest	Colorful tribal life of Hill Tracts, World's largest and longest sea beach at Cox's Bazar, Kuakata and Parky sea beach, Foy's Lake , Dulahajra safari park, Sitakund echo park at Chittagong, century old historical sites at Dhaka, Pharpur, Moinamati, Mohastangar, Sundarban the home of Royal Bengal Tiger and world's largest mangrove ferest, lash green tea gargens of Sylhet, riverine life etc.
Tourist season	October to March
Banking hour	Sunday- Thursday ( 9:00 am-3:00 pm )
Exchange rate	Taka (T.) / Floating exchange rate hovers round US$ 1.00= Tk. 68.51, Euro 1.00=Tk 90.84
Religion	4 Major religions: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity
Sectoral share of GDP	21.77% agriculture, 29.01% industry, 49.22% service (2005-06).
GDP/rate of growth	US$ 68.14 billion /6.71% (2006-07)
Per Capita GDP/GNI	US$554 / US$482 (2005-06)
Annual Export/Import	US$ 14,110.80 billion (2007-08) / US$ 15.51 billion (2006-2007)
Major exports	Readymade garments, frozen foods (shrimps), leather, leather products, jute, jute products, tea, ceramic, textile fabrics, home textile, chemical product, light engineering products including bi-cycle.
Major imports	Oil, edible oil, petroleum product, wheat, seeds, fertilizer, yarn, capital goods, machinery, power generating machinery, scientific & medical equipment, iron & steel, motor vehicles, raw cotton, chemicals.
Major trading partners	USA, EU countries, China, India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and UAE

HISTORY

Bangladesh emerged as an independent country in 1971 through the nine month long liberation war against the occupation forces of Pakistan. The history of the country is as old as it is eventful. In the ancient age, an Austro-Asian race first inhabited in this part of the world. Then came the Dravidians from Western India and later on the Aryans from Central Asia to establish their small settlements. This followed the influx of the Mongolians, Persians, Turks and Afghans. According to Greek sources of the 4th century B.C., the people of this deltaic-region made extensive military preparations to halt the advance of Alexander, the Great who had chosen to continue his eastward march. Later records, inscriptions, coins and ornaments testify the traditional civilization and glorious past of East Bengal, now Bangladesh. Muslims, who came to this region at the beginning of the 13th century, continued their rule till the advent of the British in the 18th century. The British domination over the subcontinent was for about 200 years, and while leaving in 1947 they partitioned it into two sovereign states, India and Pakistan. Bangladesh came into being on March 26, 1971.

CLIMATE

The temperature is equable and moderate. The minimum temperature varies between 9 degree centigrade to 29 degree centigrade in winter. The maximum temperature ranges from 21 degree centigrade to 40 degree centigrade in summer. The annual rainfall varies from 160 cm to 400 cm. There are six seasons in Bangladesh. These are: summer, monsoon, autumn, late autumn, winter, and spring. Rain in Bangladesh is associated with occasional tropical storms and cyclones, which originate in The Himalayas in summer and in the Bay of Bengal in autumn. There is a short pre-monsoon rainy season from April to May due to occasional nor-westers (cyclone) accompanied by thunderstorms. 

Although Summer and Winter are the two main seasons distinctly prominent, the monotony is broken with the change of seasons in every two months recorded as per Bangla Calendar. These changes are, however, in degrees and one mixes with the approaching next like that of a rainbow of seven colours. This inter-woven changing pattern gives a pleasant touch to the people offering a distinct colour, smell and sound to the landscape for every short season. The summer is broken by a welcome monsoon rain, making the land suitable for cultivation. This is again changed to happy Autumn, pleasant Winter and colourful Spring.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Bangladesh is endowed with rich natural resources. Surveys reveal the existence of vast natural gas reserve. The present Govt. signed several productions sharing agreement with the foreign companies to explore natural gas. Extracted natural gas is being distributed to all industrial zones including fertilizer and petro-chemical plants, and other mineral deposits are also being extracted for the country's social and economic development.

 

Source: Export Promotion Bureau,Bangladeh