| Bangladesh is a very densly populated country in South Asia. It shares a very long border with neighbour India and if it wasn't for a short border of 25 kilomters with Myanmar, India would be the only neighbour. Bangladesh was the Eastern part of Pakistan after the split between India and Pakistan in 1947. The Bengalis then had a second struggle for independance with the Pakistanis, but now they have their own country. Independence from Pakistan was achieved in 1971.
Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. It is the largest city and the fastest growing city as well. It is the best starting point for travels in the country. In the south, near the Myanmar border, Chittagong is the second largest and fastest growing city. It is a pretty place with tombs and mosques to visit. Not to mention the natural sights just miles away from the city.
Cox's bazar is known to have the longest running shore-line in the world. This city has since been developed into an obvious touring spot. During the tourist season, reservations to hotels are done months in advance, otherwise the hotels closest to the shore have to get off the list.
Bangladesh, formely the east wing of Pakistan, emerged as an independent nation in December 1971. Pakistan itself had been created on August 15 1947 largely the result of communal passions pitting Hindus against Muslims. Pakistan was divided into two wings separated by 1 600 kilometers of Indian territory with Islam only a tenuous link between the two wings.
Bangladesh is one of the world's ten most populated countries and has one of the highest population densities (about 2,100 people per sq mi/810 people per sq km). The great majority of Bangladesh's population is Bengali, although Biharis and several tribal groups constitute significant minority communities. About 88% of the population is Sunni Muslim and over 10% is Hindu. Bangla (Bengali) is the nation's official language, and English is used in urban centers. Bangladesh has a predominantly rural population, with over 60% of the workforce engaged in agriculture. There are several universities, including ones at Chittagong, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi.
According to the Bangla calendar the new year festival is on 1st Boishakh, which by the English calendar would be April 14th. This day brings various festivals, musicals and other various programs. However, the festival at that time of the year does not stop the new generation to party during December 31st to celebrate the English New Year. Being a country with a large percentage of Muslim citizens, the two Eids are also a time joy and family festivals. Not to mention the Eid shopping spree that is known to contest the western Christmas shopping spree.
Bangladesh is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. About 80 percent of Bangladeshis are Muslims. Most Bangladeshi Muslims are Sunnis, but there is a small Shia community. Hinduism constitutes about 12 percent of the population. Hindus in Bangladesh in the 1990s were almost evenly distributed in all regions, with concentrations in Khulna, Jessore, Dinajpur, Faridpur, and Barisal.
There are significant numbers of Buddhists and Christians in Bangladesh. In the Chittagong Hills, Buddhist tribes formed the majority of the population and their religion appeared to be a mixture of tribal cults and Buddhist doctrines. According to the 1981 census, there were approximately 600,000 Buddhists in Bangladesh, representing less than 1 percent of the population. In the 1990s, Christianity had about 600,000 adherents, mainly Roman Catholic, and their numbers were growing rapidly. Bangladesh also has a very small number of tribal community that obey a different type of religious beliefs.
Area: 55,598 sq mi (144,000 sq km)
Population : 144,319,628
birth rate: 30.0/1000;
density per sq mi: 2,596
Capital Dhaka
Other large cities: Chittagong, Khulna
Currency: Taka
Principal languages: Bangla (official), English
Ethnicity/race: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)
Religions: Islam 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% |
