Information About Bangladesh

Official Name of the Country
The People's Republic Of Bangladesh

Capital
Dhaka (Area 414 Sq Km. Master plan 777 Sq Km.)

Geographical Location
In South Asia; between 20º 34' and 26º 38' North latitude and between 88º 01' and 92° 41' East longitude; consists of flat fertile alluvial land.

· North - India

· West - India

· East - India and Myanmar

· South - Bay of Bengal

Area

· Total: 143,998 sq km (55,598 sq miles)

· Land: 133,910 sq km (51,703 sq miles)

· Water: 10,090 sq km (3,896 sq miles)

Boundary

Bounded by India from the north, east and west, Burma from the south-east and the Bay of Bengal from the south .

Currency

Currency unit is Taka. Notes are of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Taka. Coins are of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Poisha (500 Poisha = 5 Taka)

Language

Bangla is the state language. English is also widely spoken and understood. Arabic is read and spoken for religious purposes.

Population

Total estimated population 152.6 million (UN, 2005)

Life expectancy

· 62 years (men)

· 63 years (women) (UN)

Religions

Muslim 88.3%, Hindu 10.5%, others 1.2%

Administrative Division
Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet

Local Time
GMT + 6 hours

Climate

Tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)

Rainfall

Lowest 47" and highest 136"

National Days

· National Martyrs Day ( February 21)

· Independence Day ( March 26 )

· Victory Day ( December 16)

Principal Rivers

Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Madhumati, Surma and Kushiara

Principal Crops

Rice, jute, tobacco, tea, sugarcane, vegetables, potato, pulses, etc.

Fruits

Mango, banana, pineapple, jack-fruit, water-melon, green coconut, guava, lichis, etc.

Major Industries

Jute, sugar, paper, textiles, fertilizers, cigarette, cement, steel, natural gas, oil-refinery, newsprint, power generation, rayon, matches, fishing and food processing, leather, soap, carpet, timber, ship-building, telephone, etc.

Main exports
Garments, fish, jute goods, leather products

GNI per capita
US $400 (World Bank, 2005)

Airports

· Zia International Airport, Dhaka.

· Chittagong International Airport.

· Sylhet International Airport.

Domestic Airports

· Jessore

· Cox's Bazar

· Rajshahi

· Saidpur

Sea Ports

· Chittagong

· Mongla

Internet domain
.bd

International dialling code
+880

Major Tourist Attractions

Longest sea beach, colourful tribal life, centuries' old archaeological sites, the Sundarbans (home of the Royal Bengal Tigers and spotted deer), largest tea gardens, interesting riverine life, etc.