Bangladesh emerged as an
independent and sovereign country in 1971 following a
ninemonth war of liberation. It is one of the largest deltas of the world with a
total area of 147,570 sq. km. With a unique communal harmony, Bangladesh has a
population of about 142 million, making it one of the densely populated
countries of the world. The majority (about 88%) of the people are Muslim. Over
98% of the people speak in
Bangla. English, however, is widely spoken. The
country is covered with a network of rivers and canals forming a maze of
interconnecting channels. Bangladesh has a glorious history and rich heritage.
Once it was known as ‘Sonar Bangla’ or the Golden Bengal. The territory now
constituting Bangladesh was under the Muslim rule for over five and a half
centuries from 1201 to 1757 AD. Subsequently, it came under the British rule
following the defeat of the sovereign ruler, Nawab Sirajuddaula, at the battle
of Palassey on 23 June, 1757. The British ruled over the Indian sub-continent
including this territory for nearly 190 years from 1757 to 1947. During that
period, Bangladesh was a part of the British Indian provinces of Bengal and
Assam. With the termination of British rule in August 1947, the sub-continent
was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Bangladesh formed a part of Pakistan
and was called ‘East Pakistan’. It remained so for about 24 years from August
14, 1947 to March 25, 1971. Bangladesh liberated on December 16, 1971 following
the victory of the War of Liberation and appeared on the world map as an
independent and sovereign country. The country is the pioneer in micro-credit
concept for poverty reduction, which brought the Nobel Prize in Peace for the
country in 2006. The founder of world reputed Grameen Bank Professor Dr.
Muhammad Yunus is the Nobel laureate.
Official Name The People's
Republic of Bangladesh
Capital City:Dhaka
Independence Day 26th March
State Religion Islam but other
religions may be practised in peace and harmony.
Geographical location In South
Asia between 20º24' and 26º38' Latitude and between 88º.01' & 92º.41' east
longitude
Area 56,977 sq. miles or
1,47,570 sq. km.
Administrative
Units Division-7, District-64, Upazilla/Thana-508
City
Corporation: 6, Municipalities-308, Upazila-481,
Thana-599,
Union Parishad-4498
Territorial Water 12 Nautical
Miles
Time:
GMT+6 hour
Main Seasons Summer:
(March-May), Rainy Season (June-September) and Winter (December-February)
Principal Rivers:
Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Teesta, Surma and Karnaphuli (Total 230
rivers including tributaries)
Principal Seasonal Crops and
Fruits Paddy, Jute, Wheat, Tobacco, Pulses, Oil seeds, Spices, Vegetables,
Jack-fruit, Banana,
Mango, Coconut.
Best Tourist Season Octobar to
March
Language National Language:
Bengali-98% English is also widely spoken and understood.
Principal
Industries Readymade garments, Textiles, Chemical
fertilizers, Pharmaceuticals, Tea processing, Paper & newsprint, Cement, Light
engineering, Sugar,
Leather goods.
Principal Minerals
Natural gas,
Coal, Lime, White clay, Glass sand.
