The People's Republic of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a republic of southern Asia. It is located in the north eastern portion of the Indian subcontinent, bordered on the north, east, and west by India, on the southeast by Myanmar, and on the south by the Bay of Bengal. The area of the country is 147,570 sq km (56,977 sq mi). The capital and largest city of Bangladesh is Dhaka.

Geographically, historically, and culturally, Bangladesh forms the larger and more populous part of Bengal, the remainder of which constitutes the neighboring Indian state of Bangla.

Following the independence of India from 200 years of British rule and its partition in 1947, the area of Bangladesh became a province of Pakistan, known as East Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan Province declared their independence as the nation of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971, while fighting a savage war against the central Pakistani government. The fiscal separation from Pakistan took place, with aid from India, on December 16, 1971. Its independence was finalized on December 16, 1971, when Pakistani troops in the region surrendered to a joint force of Bangladeshi and Indian troops, forming what is now recognized as the Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh. Bangladesh was soon recognized by most other nations, although Pakistan withheld diplomatic recognition until 1974 and China did not recognize the nation until 1976. Bangladesh was admitted to the United Nations in 1974.

The colors of the Bangladeshi flag are red and green. The red sun in the middle represents pride and the bloodshed the people of Bangladesh suffered during the war of independence. The body of green represents the lush field that fill the country.

Demographics: 2002

Information	Bangladesh	U.S.A.
Area (sq. km)	144, 000	9, 629, 091
Population	133,376,684	280,562,489
People per sq. km	926	29
Infant mortality rate	68.05 deaths/1,000 live births	6.69 deaths/1,000 live births
Gross Domestic Product	$230 billion	$10.082 trillion
Poverty rate	35.6%	12.7%
Unemployment rate	37%	7%
Industrial production rate	-3.9%	6.0%
Electricity consumption (kWh)	12.548 billion	3.613 trillion
Television Broadcast stations	15	over 1,500 and 9,000 for cable
Internet users	30,000	166 million
Airports	18	14, 695

National Days: Mourning Day-February 21, lndependence Day-March 26, Revolution Day-November 7 and Victory Day-December 16.

Religion: Muslim 84.5%, Hindu 12%,Christian 2%, Buddhist 1%, Other Religion 0.5%.

Currency: The unit of the currency is the Taka. Notes are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Taka. Coins are 1, 5, 25, 50 & 100 Paisa. Par value of Bangladesh Taka : UK£ -Taka. 70.00 Variable slightly according to US $1-Taka. 62.00 daily rates.

Climate: Main seasons : Winter (Nov-Feb). Summer (March-June), Monsoon (July-Oct). Temp-max. 34°C. min. 8°C, Rainfall : Lowest 47' and highest 136'.

Principal Rivers: Padda, Meghna, Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Madhumati, Surma and Karnaphuli.

Principal Crops: Jute, Rice, Tobacco, Tea, Sugarcane, Vegetables, Potato, Pulses etc.

Important Fruits: Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Jack-fruit, Water-melon, Green coconut. Guava. Litchis etc.

Major industries: Jute, Ready-made Garments, Sugar, Paper, Textile, Fertilizer, Cigarette, Cement, Steel, Natural Gas, Oil-Refinery, Newsprint, Power Generation, Rayon, Matches, Fishing & Food Processing, Leather, Soap, Carpet. Timber. Ship-Building, Telephone, etc.

Shahid Minar

The 'Shahid Minar'. The Central Martyr's Monument in Dhaka was erected in memory of those who laid down their lives for establishing the dignity and rightful place of Bangla as the national language on February 21, 1952. On this day every year, the people pay homage to the language martyrs and throng the monument in thousands in bare foot and it is bedecked with flowers and wreaths. The monument itself consists of five pillars. The central largest pillar represent the Mother protecting her children., which are represented by the four smaller pillars. The celebration is for the entire day in which the whole country participates. The day is also recognized world-wide as the International Mother Tongue Day.

Shapla

The Crescent Lake is a famous landmark in Bangladesh. The lake is covered by the 'Shapla' flower when during its season. The Shapla flower, or water lily, is the national flower of Bangladesh and the real flowers can be found in abundance in lakes and ponds. The majority of the lilies are white but there are some purple one that can be found throughout the lad. Both are captive and exotic in their beauty. In certain villages, the thick lily pads are used to serve food from street side venders. The 'Shapla Chokor', featuring the wonders of the white lilly, is situated in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Sriti Shoudho

The Sriti Shoudho was created in honor of memory of the lives lost in the War of Independence in 1971. It is a memorial visited by many to celebrate the lives courage of those lost in the war against Pakistan. Families often visit the site on December 16, Bangladesh's national Day of Independence.

National Anthem

Amar shonar bangla,
Ami tomay bhalobashi,
Chiro din tomar akas, tomar batash,
Amar prane, bajay basi.
O ma, Fagune tor amer bane
ghrane pagal kore -
mari hay, hay re -
O ma, aghrane tor bhara khete
ami ki dekhechi madhur hasi.

Ki sobha, ki chaya go.
Ki sneho, ki maya go -
Ki achol bichayechobater mule.
nadir kule kule.
Ma, tor mukher bani amar kane
lage sudhar mato -
mari hay, hay re -
ma tor badan khani malin hole.
Oma, ami nayan jole basi.

My Bengal of gold,
I love you.
Forever your skies, your air set my heart in tune
As if it were a flute.
In spring, O mother mine,
the fragrance from your mango groves
Makes me wild with joy
Ah, what a thrill!
In autumn, O mother mine,
In the full blossomed paddy fields
I have seen spread all over sweet smiles.

Ah, what a beauty, what shades, what an affection
And what a tenderness!
What a quilt have you spread at the feet of Banyan trees
And along the banks of rivers!
O mother mine, words from your lips
Are like nectar to my ears.
Ah, what a thrill!
If sadness, O mother mine, casts a gloom on your face,
eyes are filled with tears!

About Bangladesh Geography and Population
Bangladesh lies between 20"34' and 26"38' North Latitude and 88"01' and 92"41' East Longitude with a total landmass of 1,47,570 square kilometers (56,977 Sq. miles). Bangladesh is surrounded by India on the West, North and Northeast, Myanmar on the Southeast and the Bay of Bengal on the South. Bangladesh has a strategic location and acts as bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. It has a population of 129.2 million people. In other words, it is roughly the size of New York State with half the entire population of the United States crammed into this area.

Topography
Most of Bangladesh is at low elevations and is divided into five physical regions: (I) the Ganges Delta to the Southwest, (II) the Paradelta to the Northwest, (III) the East Central plains and the Sylhet Hills in the Northeast, and (IV) the Chittagong region in the Southeast. Bangladesh is the largest deltaic region in the world. The Ganges Delta is geologically the most recent compared with other deltas. Mangrove forests thrive in the lower delta, which is flooded by fresh tidal waters. The soil base is new alluvium. The Sundarbans to the Southwest is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Paradelta, like the delta proper, is a plain but its elevations are higher at 100 to 300 feet above sea level. Its soils are varied - silt and sandy clays and old alluvium. It lies between the Ganges and the (Brahmaputra) Jamuna Rivers. The East Central plains, with the Meghna River almost at its centre, consists of plains and active floodplains in which the main rivers, including the Brahmaputra, have altered their channels in the past. At the centre of this plain lies Madhupur Forest, a former site for tiger hunting. To the Northeast is the Meghna depression, part of which is only 10 feet above sea level; during the rainy season it turns into a huge lake, covering most of its 7,250 square kilometer (2,800 square mile) basin. Bangladesh is a riverine country and is criss-crossed by innumerable rivers, rivulets and their tributaries.Climate
Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate with heavy summer rain and high summer temperatures. Winters are dry and cool. South and Southwest winds dominate from mid-April to mid-October and bring enormous amounts of moisture from the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. 95% of the total rainfall, which averages about 80 inches (2,040 millimeters) occurs during that period. The temperatures range from an average of about 68 F (18C) in January to about 86 F (30C) in April.Seasons
Bengali tradition divides the year into six seasons; Grishmo(summer), Barsha(rainy), Sarat(early autumn), Hemanta(late autumn), Sheet(winter) and Boshonto (spring). For practical purposes, however, four seasons are clearly distinguishable; Summer, Rainy, late Autumn (when harvesting takes place) and Winter. Rains begin in April accompanied by Norwester or 'Kalbaishakhi'. It is then that farmers start tilling their land for early crop. With the onset of monsoon in the first week of June heavy downpour starts, and average temperature falls to low 80F. These heavy rains last for about two to three months causing floods and inundation of fields and riverbanks. The Winter is moderate while the Spring is mellow and pleasant.Bio-diversity
Bangladesh enjoys a great bio-diversity in its flora and fauna. The flower "Shapla" (nympoea-nouchali) is the national emblem, Magpie Robin (Doel) is the national bird, while the Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh which abounds in the Sunderbans, recognized as a world heritage.People
Building upon firm ethnological roots and an entrepreneurial spirit as well as innovative skill, the people of Bangladesh are creating a special niche for themselves on the global plank. Given the fascinating land with a variegated history and a rich cultural tapestry, the people are endowed with a native intellect, capacity for hard work and resilience. Bangladeshis are simple, friendly and hospitable in nature. With a 130 million population, Bangladesh ranks as the world's 8th most populous country. It is also one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The staple food of the people is rice, which is generally eaten with fish curry and lentil. Most women in Bangladesh wear a "Sari", and men "Lungi". Bengalees descended from several racial and sub-racial groups entering South Asia over the past five thousand years. By and large, they are now a single homogenous race with one common language - Bangla. There are, however, several other small ethnic groups with their own languages/dialects and distinctive cultures. Birth rate in 2000 came down to 1.5% while the percentage of literacy rate is now over 60, the highest in South Asia after Sri Lanka. Life expectancy at birth is now over 60 years (60.8 in the year 2000).Language
Bangla, the official language, is spoken by more than 99 percent of the population but English is also generally understood and spoken particularly in urban areas. Bangla is one of the most extensively spoken languages of the world. Bengali script is derived directly from Gupta Brahmi script having close affinity with Thai and Cambodian scripts. The origin of this script is generally traced to 10th century AD. Bengali is a rich language capable of expressing the finest nuances of thought and feeling, a language that continuously mirrors the ever-changing play of life. Bengalees passionately love their language. While under the neocolonial subjugation, the Bengalees on February 21, 1952 shed their blood for protecting and preserving their mother tongue from the encroachment of alien language. The day has been declared by UNESCO in 1999 as the International Mother Language Day to be observed all over the world in commemoration of the Bengali language movement. Bangla is rich in poetry, short story, novel, essay and drama. Two major Bangla poets are Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore (1863-1941), and Bangladesh's national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976). The latter's birth centenary was celebrated in 2000 with great acclaim.Religion
Islam is the predominant religion with over 88% adherents. Hindus comprise about 10% of the population. The rest are Buddhists, Christians and animists. People are generally pious and keen in observing their respective religious rites and festivities with fervour. Bangladesh is a model of religious harmony and tolerance. Different religious communities and groups live in peace and the minorities are well represented in all tiers of society as well as in the government machinery.Time
Standard time of Bangladesh is 6 hours ahead of GMT. Friday and Saturday are weekly government holidays while private offices and enterprises observe Friday as the weekly day-off and remain open on Saturday. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.History
Bangladesh is usually called a comparatively new nation in an ancient land. It emerged as an independent country through a sanguinary and protracted War of Liberation at the cost of immense sacrifices. The history of the country is as old as it is eventful. Bangladesh was famed in ancient times as a land of bounty and affluence. Etymologically the word Bangladesh is derived from the cognate Banga, which was first mentioned in the Hindu scripture Oitery Araanyk composed between 5000 BC and 500 AD. Bangladesh is the largest wetland in the world formed by the interaction of innumerable rivers and streams; its configuration was determined and is continuously changed by these water bodies. Geological evidence indicates that much of Bangladesh was formed 1 to 6.5 million years ago during the tertiary era. Human habitation in the region is believed to be very old with its roots in the Paleolithic civilization dating back to about one hundred thousand (1,00,000) years. In the ancient age an Austro-Asian race first inhabited the region. Then came the Dravidians from Western India and later the Aryans from Central Asia. Then followed the influx of the Mongolians, Persians, Turks and Afghans. The mighty Gangaridai and Prasioi empires were located in Bengal. According to Greek sources of 4th century BC, the people of this deltaic region made extensive military preparations to halt the march of Alexander the Great, had he chosen to continue his Eastward advancement. Later records, inscriptions, coins and ornaments testify to the tradition of rich heritage and civilization indicating the glorious past of Bangladesh. Because of its strategic location Bangladesh since time immemorial served as a flourishing entry-port and intermediary in trade and commerce between South Asia and the Far East. The influence of Bengal spread far and wide and the region played a seminal role in disseminating its rich heritage and tradition, art and architecture, culture and learning in the wider continent of Asia and beyond. History recorded that Mauryas (4th to 2nd centuries BC), the Guptas (4th to 5th century AD), the empire of Sasanka (7th century AD), the Pala dynasty (750-1162 AD) and the Senas (1162 to 1223 AD) successively held their sway here. Then followed a long chain of Muslim rule (till 1757) when this region reached the zenith of economic affluence. In fact, had there been no British conquest in 1757 Bengal would have been the first country in Asia to achieve industrial revolution because of its excellence in the finest fabrics. The British rule, which started from Bengal, was subsequently extended to the whole of the sub-continent. When the British left the subcontinent was partitioned into two countries-India and Pakistan. Bangladesh formed the Eastern Wing of Pakistan. Though numerically in the majority, the Bengalees were treated unjustly and very soon the movement for the autonomy of Bangladesh started because of cultural, linguistic and ethnic differences and economic disparity, deprivation and exploitation perpetrated by the Pakistani rulers. The disillusionment of the people of Bangladesh with the state of Pakistan began early on. The decision of the central authorities in Pakistan to opt for Urdu as the only state language of the country militated against the emotions of the Bengali-speaking people, who constituted the majority in Pakistan. The then East Pakistan rose in protest, first in 1948 and then, in a more concerted form, in 1952. The death of a number of young men resulting from Police firing on demonstrators in Dhaka on 21 February 1952 proved to be the catalyst for what eventually became the nationalist struggle of the Bengali-speaking people of Pakistan. The frustration and resentment continued and culminated in a mass upsurge in 1969. There came a sudden change over in the government – Martial Law was re-imposed. Consequently, the general elections held throughout Pakistan in 1970 gave the people of Bangladesh a remarkable opportunity to claim their rightful place in national politics. But that hope was soon to prove illusory when the military establishment refused to transfer power. Instead on the night of 25 March, 1971, they embarked on a systematic policy of repression and genocide. This prompted the declaration of independence of Bangladesh on 26 March 1971.

The liberation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971 after nine months of a sustained war ushered in a new period of hope for the people of the country The Constitution of Bangladesh was framed and came into effect on 16 December 1972. Bangladesh became a member of the UN on 17 September 1974. In January 1975, the system of government was changed to a one party Presidential from on 15 August, 1975, then President late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed by some elements in the armed forces along with most of his family members. In the chaotic condition that followed, several national leaders and cabinet members were also killed. It was against this backdrop that late President Ziaur Rahman was called upon to take over the affairs of the state on 7 November 1975.

Late President Ziaur Rahman’s life was cut short in May 1981 when he was assassinated in Chittagong by a section of military officers. A coup in March 1982 forced the elected government of BNP to step down. But soon the misuse of power and corruption of the military regime caused widespread disillusionment. A relentless struggle for restoring democratic system was launched by the national political parties and alliances, which mobilized the masses and forced the autocratic regime to step down in December 1990.

The BNP under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia was voted to office through the general elections organized by a neutral caretaker government in February 1991. Within months of taking over the administration, Begum Zia undertook to take the country back to a parliamentary form of government. Fresh elections were organized in February 1996 for making the necessary amendment to the Constitution to facilitate holding of elections under a neutral caretaker administration. Following elections of June 1996, the Awami League formed a new government, and BNP took its place in parliament as the opposition. In the general election of October 2001, Begum Khaleda Zia led a four-party alliance to victory with a clear two-thirds majority in parliament.

The Constitution
In less than a year after Bangladesh's victory in its War of Independence, the then Prime Minister, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman presented the nation with a Constitution which was secular in character and egalitarian in nature guaranteeing full fundamental rights to all citizens irrespective of religion, caste, creed, class and sex. In 1991, all the political parties in the opposition opted for a parliamentary system of governance in place of then existing presidential system. In 1996 the provision of holding general elections in the country under a non-party neutral caretaker government was incorporated in the Constitution. This was designed to safeguard the franchise of the people. The Constitution of Bangladesh provides for three organs - the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary - for ensuring accountability, transparency and checks and balances of the government. All the three organs function harmoniously.The Executive Branch of the Government
Bangladesh switched to the parliamentary system of government in 1991. The President, elected by parliament, is the constitutional head of the Government and acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. At the initiative of the then Prime Minister, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, held in high esteem as a neural non-party personality, was chosen as the President of the Republic. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was also the Acting President after the fall of the autocratic regime in December 1990 and had supervised the general elections in 1991.

The Prime Minister, under the provision of the Constitution, is the Head of the Government. The Prime Minister presides over the cabinet, which is collectively responsible to Parliament. The business of the national government is carried out by various ministries and divisions, which together constitute the nerve center of the country's administration. Under these bodies lie several government agencies including departments, directorates, corporations and other statutory bodies for executing government policies and decisions.Caretaker Government
A unique feature of the Constitution of Bangladesh is the provision of holding general elections under a neutral, non-party Caretaker Government. The concept of Caretaker Government was the choosing of the major political parties designed to secure people's franchise so as to ensure peaceful transfer of power. It was adopted in the form of Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment provides that the immediate Chief Justice would be the Head of the Caretaker Government. If such retired Chief Justice is not available or is not willing to hold office, then the person who among the retired Chief Justices retired just before the last retired Chief Justice will become the head of the Caretaker Government. If no retired Chief Justice is available or willing to hold the office, then the person, who among the retired judges of the Appellate Division retired last will head the Caretaker Government. If such person is not available, the person who retired as Appellate Division Judge before the last retired judge will be the head of the Caretaker Government. If no such person is available, the President shall, after consultation as far as practicable, with major political parties, appoint the Chief Adviser from among the citizens of Bangladesh who is qualified to be appointed as Adviser. The tenure of such a Caretaker Government will begin three months before every general election. Through this system the people of Bangladesh got back their lost right to vote freely and independently without the pressures of the reigning government.The Legislature
According to Article 65(1) of the Constitution, all legislative powers of the Republic are vested in Parliament called the Jatiya Sangsad comprising three hundred members directly elected from territorial constituencies. In addition, there are thirty reserved seats for women who are elected by an electoral college of the elected members. The Jatiya Sangsad has a tenure of five years and has to sit every two months. An elaborate committee system has been developed and bills introduced in parliament are referred to the committees for scrutiny. Contrary to the earlier practice, the concerned Minister is no longer the head of the committee, rather a Member of the Parliament heads a committee. The Prime Minister's question hour has been introduced which is televised live and the entire proceedings of the Parliament are directly relayed to provide the people an opportunity to form their own opinion without depending on any intermediary. The Prime Minister also appears before radio and television to answer questions from audiences and viewers on a wide range of subjects and on issues agitating the minds of the people. An institute of Parliamentary Practice has been set up to provide assistance to Members of Parliament in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.The Judiciary
The Government has been working for separation of the judiciary from the executive with a view to ensuring full independence of the judiciary. Under the present Government headed by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the country's judiciary enjoys full independence. The Supreme Court stands at the apex of the country's judiciary and acts as the guardian of the Constitution. It has two divisions - the Appellate Division and the High Court Division. The legal decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all other courts. The judges of both the divisions of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president. There are subordinate courts of district and session judges which deal with civil and criminal suits. The government believes in full freedom of judiciary. Hence the judiciary discharges its duty and constitutional obligations freely and without any let or hindrance.

A three-year project called "Judicial and Legal Capacity Building" with the objective of improvement of socio-economic condition, reforms of legal system, modernization and development of physical infrastructure of courts has been undertaken. The Government has constituted Legal Aid Committees, headed by District Judges in 61 districts, to provide legal assistance to the poor and destitute litigants. These district level committees have been working under the National Legal Aid Committee. The Government is committed to protect human rights. A Judicial Administration Training Institute has been formed to enhance the professional skill and standard of judicial personnel. A permanent Law Commission headed by a retired Chief Justice of Supreme Court has been constituted to up-date laws by suggesting necessary reforms. The Commission has already undertaken measures to recommend some new laws and re-frame some old ones. Considering the increasing number of pending cases in courts the Government has decided to set up village courts for settling litigation through negotiation called Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR). The decision of setting up of village courts in line with local tradition is a very timely step. The Public Safety Act (PSA) has been framed for taking prompt punitive action against serious offenders of public peace and security as well as for maintaining general law and order. Special Courts have been set up for the trial of persons engaged in terrorist activities. There are also some special courts like Family Law Courts, Special Tribunals and commercial and financial courts to deal with specific cases.Local Government
The Parliament has passed the Village Council Bill and District Council Bill. Through necessary amendment to the Union Council Act, for every three wards one seat has been kept reserved for women. Besides the reserved seats, women are also eligible for contesting in the general seats. This has opened up new avenues and opportunities for women's empowerment and flourishing women's leadership at the grass-roots level. Along with initiating appropriate reforms, the local Government bodies have also been strengthened through various other measures.

Country ProfileOfficial Name : The People's Republic of Bangladesh

Capital : Dhaka : Area-1416 Sq.Km. Population 9.9 million in 2001

President : Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahamed

Prime Minister : Begum Khaleda Zia

Geographical Location : Between 23°.34' and 26°.38' north latitude and between 88°.41' and 92°.41'
east longitude.

Area : 1,47,570 sq.km. Territorial Waters 22.22 km. Economic Zome-Upto
370.40 km. in the high seas, measured from the base line.

Boundary North: India
West : India
East : India and and Mayanmar
South: Bay of Bengal

Religion (Census 1991) : Islam (88.3%), Hinduism (10.5%), Buddhism (0.6%) and Christianity(0.3%)

Unit of Currency : Taka

Time : GMT+6.00 hours.

Administrative Units

: Division: 6; Zila: 64; Thana: 507; Union: 4484; Village: 87319
Major Cities : Dhaka, Chittagong. Khulna, Rajshahi, Mymensing, Comilla, Barisal,
Sylhet.

Climate : Average Winter temp (Max 29° C Min 11° C ).
Average Summer temp (Max 40° C Min 21° C)

Monsoon Rainfall : Lowest 340mm. Highest 964 mm.

Humidity : Highest 99% Lowest 36 %

Main Seasons : Winter (November – February ), Summer (May –June), Monsoon
(July – October)
Population in Census 2001 : Approximately 129 million;Growth rate 1.48% per annum; Sex ratio 103.8 males per 100 females; Urban Population 23.39%. ;No of household units 25.36 million ;Density per square km 834.
Language : Bengali but English is widely used.

Principal River : Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Bhahmaputra, Teesta, Surma and Karnaphuli in
all 700 rivers including tributaries and branches.

Principal Minerals : Natural Gas, Lignite Coal, Limestones, Ceramic, Clay and Glass Sand.

Principal Crops : Rice, Jackfruit, Jute, Tobacco, Sugarcane, Pulses, Oilseeds, Spices,
Potatoes, Vegetables, Bananas, Mangoes, Coconut, Tea and Wheat.

Principal Industries : Garments, Jute, Cotton, Textile, Tea, Paper, Newsprint, Cement, Fertilizer, Sugar, Engineering, Electric cables , Leather, Fish.

Principal Exports : Readymade garments, Jute and Jute products, Tea, Leather and
Frozen food.
Sea Ports : Chittagong and Mongla.

Airports : Dhaka, Chittagong , Jessore, Rajshahi, Iswardi, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar,
Syedpur and Barisal .

Radio Station : Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Comilla,Jessore,Bogra, Cox's Bazar, Barisal,Rangamati and Thakurgaon .

Television Station : Dhaka, Natore, Chittagong, Brahamanbaria ,Patuakhali,Jhenaidah, Thakurgaon, Rajshahi,Satkhira,Rangamati,Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Sylhet,Mymenshing,Khulna and Rangpur

Satellite Station : Betbunia ( Chittagong) and Talibabad (Dhaka) for international
telecommunication.

Education(1999 based) : Universities: 32; Medical Collage: 24; Bangladesh Institute of Technology: 4; Colleges 2288; Polytechnic Institutes 21; Secondary School 14069; Primary School 65610

Health (1999 based) :Hospitals 1277; Hospital beds 44374;Registered physician: 30864

Electricity :220 Volts A.C. in all cities and towns.

Tourist Season :October to March

Main Tourist Attractions. :Colourful tribal life of Hill Tracts, world’s longest sea beach at Cox’s Bazar, centuries old historical sites at Dhaka , Paharpur, Mainamati, Mohastangar, Sundarban the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, largest tea garden, reverine life, ect.

Wearing Apparel :Tropical in Summer and Light woolen in Winter.

An Overview

Bangladesh became independent and sovreign after a clarion call for liberation struggle was made following the brutal crackdown of the Pakistani Armed Forces at midnight of 25th March, 1971 on the innocent people of what was then East Pakistan. The struggle for liberation continued for about 9 months till the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered on 16th of December, 1971. Since then, 26th March is celebrated as the National and Independence day and 16th December as the Victory day.

Bangladesh is a multiparty pluralist society where pluralism has been adopted as an integral part of political life of the people
of Bangladesh.

Back to top Historical Background

The territory comprising Bangladesh was inhabited by the Proto-Australoids and the Proto-Mongoloids, later mingled by the Dravidians, Aryans and Mongolians.

Muslim conquest of the region and continuous rule for about 500 years helped spreading of Islam in the region, started first by Arab traders and missionaries in the 11th Century. By the end of the 16th Century Europeans started arriving. By promoting treason and very little fighting Robert Clive of East India Company won the battle of Plassey, which marked the beginning of British rule in 1757 and continued till 1947 when the sub-continent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. The territory now comprising Bangladesh formed the eastern wing of Pakistan.

The people of the then East Pakistan declared independence on 26th March, 1971 and won a nine-month long war of independence and became independent on 16th December, 1971.


Back to top

THE LAND

Bangladesh became independent and sovreign after a clarion call Bangladesh known worldwide for 'Muslin' the handwoven gossamer fabric, is located in the north-eastern part of the South Asian subcontinent between latitude 20<sup>034' and 26038' North and longitudes 88001' and 92041' East. It is bordered by India on the West, North and the East and by Myanmar (Burma) on the Southeast. To the South lies the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh has a land area of 143, 393 square kilometre.

Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage and glorious past. It's flat alluvial plains comprise some of the world's most
fertile agricultural lands. The land mass comprising mainly the delta of the three mighty rivers, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna, Bangladesh presents an encganting vista of vast green fields bounded by low hills.


Back to top Climatic Condition

Bangladesh has six marked seasons in a year of which Winter (November-February), pre-monsoon (June-September) and post-monsoon (October-November) are pre-dominent. The temperatures across the country ranges between 24 and 390C during Summer months and between 18 and 230C in Winter months. The annual rainfall varies from 120 cm in the western part to 250 cm in the South-eastern part. The highest average rainfall of 508 cm recorded in some north-eastern
districts.</sup>

The seasons have their special colours and sounds. Lightning across the horizon and the distant thunder herald the rains washing away the summer heat while autumn comes with clear blue skies and misty mornings. The dew on grass blades ushers in the Winter while Spring adorned by a blossoming flora rounds off the local Bangla calendar.

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Population & People

The country's population, estimated at 120 million, calculates to an average density of about 740 people per square kilometre as per census. About 85 per cent of the Bangladeshis live in villages or semi-urban areas.

Muslims constitute about 86.5 per cent of the population. Hindus 12.2 per cent, Buddhists 0.6 per cent, Christians 0.4 per cent and the rest belong to the other faiths. There are about 1.2 million tribal people who live mostly in the hilly areas in the Southeast.

Prolonged foreign domination and exploitation had rendered the people of the region poor.