Bangladesh- Overview

Official Name

The People's Republic Of Bangladesh

Capital

Dhaka (Area 414 sq. km. Master plan 777 sq.km.)

Currency

Currency unit is Taka. Notes are of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Taka. Coins are of 25,50 Poisha (100 Poisha = 1 Taka), 1 Taka, 2 Taka and 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 145 million.

Religions

Muslim 88.3%, Hindu 10.5%, others 1.2%

Area

Total: 144,000 sq km
Land: 133,910 sq km
Water: 10,090 sq km

Location

Latitude from 20 degree 34' to 26 degree 38' north. Longitude from 88 degree 01' to 92 degree 41' east.

Boundary

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

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.

Airports

Zia International Airport, Dhaka,

Chittagong International Airport,

Sylhet International Airport

and domestic airports at Jessore, Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi and Saidpur

Sea Ports

Chittagong

Mongla

Tourist Interests

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

edited: 15.11.2006