Bangladesh

About Bangladesh

Introduction

Bangladesh has made impressive gains in key human development indicators in recent years. According to the 2018 UNDP Human Development Index Statistical Update, Bangladesh ranks 136th among 189 countries with an HDI score of 0.608, placing it among countries considered to have achieved medium human development. 8 million people have moved out of poverty since 2010. The country is also on track to reach the first Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030.

Bangladesh Country Profile

Official Name:

People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Form of Government:

Parliamentary Form of Government

Head of State:

President

Head of Government:

Prime Minister

Geographical Location:

In South Asia: between 20 degree 34 and 26 degree 38 North Latitude and between 88 degree 01 and 92 degree 41 East Longitude Consists of mostly flat fertile alluvial land.

Boundaries:

North: India (West Bengal & Meghalaya), West: India (West Bengal), East: India, (Tripura & Assam) and Myanmar, South: Bay of Bengal

Area:

147,570 sq km (56,977 sq miles) (Territorial water- 12 nautical miles)

Capital City:

Dhaka (Metropolitan Area 522 sq. kms.)

Standard Time:

GMT +6 hours

Climate:

Tropical; Mild Winter (October to March); Hot, Humid Summer (March to June); Humid- Warm Rainy Monsoon (June to October)

Rainfall:

1194 mm to 3454 mm (June- August)

Population:

159.9 million (2015-16 Projected)

Life expectancy:

69.4 years (men), 72.0 years (women), 70.9 (Both)

Per Capita GDP:

US $ 1385

Internet domain:

.bd

International dialing code:

+880

Land boundaries:

Total: 4,246 km (border countries: Myanmar 193 km, India 4,053 km)

Highest peak:

Keokradong (Bandarban Hill District) 1,230 m

Labor force:

by occupation: agriculture: 45.1%, industry: 20.08%, services: 34.01%

Literacy Rate:

63.6% (HIES 2015)

Language:

95 percent Bengali, 5 percent other dialects. English is widely understood and spoken.

Religion:

Muslim (88.3%), Hindu (10.5%), Buddhist (0.6%), Christian (0.3%) and Animists and believers in tribal faiths (0.3%).

Food:

Rice, bread, fruits, vegetables, pulses, fish, meat and potato

Currency:

Taka (BDT)

Principal Industries:

Jute, Tea, Textiles, Ready Made Garments (RMG), Paper, Newsprint, Fertilizer, Leather and Leather Goods, Sugar, Cement, Fish processing, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Industries, Plastic and Ceramics.

Major Trading Partners :

USA, EU countries, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE etc.

Traditional Export Goods:

Raw Jute, Jute Goods, Tea, Leather, and Leather Products etc.

Non-traditional Exports:

Ready-made garments, Knitwear, Frozen Shrimps, Other Fish products, Jute Carpet, Shoes and other leather goods, Newsprint, Paper, Naphtha, Furnace Oil, Urea, Fruits & Vegetables, Cut Flower, Handicrafts, Jewelries.

Principal Imports:

Petroleum products, Food Grains, Oil Seeds, Crude Petroleum, Fertilizer, Cement Clinker, Staple Fibers, Yarn, Fabrics, Iron, & Steel, Capital Machineries, Automobiles etc.

International Airports:

Dhaka International Airport, Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong and Osmani International Airport, Sylhet.

Domestic Airports:

Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Thakurgaon, Syedpur, Rajshahi, Jessore, Barisal and Ishwardi.

Domestic Airlines:

Public Sector: Bangladesh Biman, Private Sector: GMG Airlines, Best Air, Royal Bengal and United Airways (BD.) Ltd.

Sea Ports:

Chittagong and Mongla

Inland River Ports:

Benapol, Teknaf, Banglabandha, Sonamasjid, Hili, Darshana, Birol, Burimari, Tamabil, Haluaghat, Akhaura, Bibirbazar and Bhomra.

Radio Broadcast Station:

Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Comilla, Rangamati and Thakurgaon.

TV Broadcast:

Dhaka, Natore, Chittagong, Brahmanbaria, Patuakhali, Noakhali Bangladesh Television, Chanel I, ATN Bangla, NTV etc.

Press:

The Daily Star, The Financial Express, New Age, Prothom alo, Jugantor, Ittefaq, Inquilab etc are some prominent dailies.

News Agency:

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), UNB, Bdnews24.com etc.

Satellite Station:

Betbunia and Talibabad

Tourist Season:

October to March

Exports – partners:

USA 18.17%, Germany 14.57%, UK 11.13%, France 5.41%, Belgium 2.97%, Italy 4.05%, Canada 3.25%, Netherlands 2.47%

Imports – partners:

China 29.57%, India 13.37%, Singapore 5.25%, Japan 4.84%, Malaysia 3.87%, Korea Rep. of 3.32%, Hong Kong 19.3%, USA 2.64%

Communications:

Railways: 2,877 km, Roadways: total: 21,302 km, Waterways: 24,000 km (Navigable 5968)