Lesson 1/34 min
Bangladesh at a glance
Identity
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Official name | The People's Republic of Bangladesh (গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ) |
| Capital | Dhaka |
| Commercial capital | Chattogram |
| State language | Bangla |
| Nationality and citizenship | Nationality Bangali; citizenship Bangladeshi |
| State religion | Islam |
| National anthem | Amar Sonar Bangla (written by Rabindranath Tagore) |
| Form of government | Parliamentary; the national parliament has one chamber |
| Top export earner | Ready-made garments |
| Seasons | 6: summer, monsoon, autumn, late autumn, winter, spring |
National emblem
- The national flower, the shapla (water lily), floats on water; sheaves of paddy on both sides
- Above it, three joined jute leaves, with two stars on each side
Key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 December 1969 | ‘Bangladesh’ is adopted as the name in place of East Pakistan; the name was given by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
| 26 March | Independence and National Day |
| 17 April 1971 | Republic of Bangladesh proclaimed |
| 16 December 1971 | Victory Day; independence achieved |
Geographic position
| Direction | Boundary |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 20°34' N to 26°38' N |
| Longitude | 88°01' E to 92°41' E |
| North | India: West Bengal, Meghalaya and Assam |
| East | India: Assam, Tripura and Mizoram; and Myanmar |
| West | India: West Bengal |
| South | Bay of Bengal |
More facts to remember
- Two neighbouring countries: India and Myanmar
- Local time is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich (GMT +6)
- Tropical monsoon climate; because of the sea and the monsoon winds, the extremes of winter and summer are mild
- Drought-prone region: the north-west; the region most harmed by flood control, drainage and irrigation: Barind
- A disaster that can change livelihoods for a long time: sea-level rise
- 3 international airports: Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet; 3 sea ports: Chattogram, Mongla, Payra
- WARPO (Water Resources Planning Organization): Green Road, Dhaka
- Average rainfall 203 cm (Zubair)
The 4 earth stations (Zubair)
| Station | Year |
|---|---|
| Betbunia (Rangamati) | 1975 (opened by Bangabandhu) |
| Talibabad | 1982 |
| Mohakhali | 1995 |
| Sylhet | 1997 |
Latest statistics (Census 2022, BBS)
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total population | 16.98 crore (169,828,911) |
| Population density | 1,119 per sq km (976 in 2011) |
| Literacy rate | 74.80% (preliminary count 74.66%) |
Watch out: The preliminary count was 16.52 crore (165,158,616); the final report raised it to 16.98 crore. The book (Zubair) prints an area of 147,610 sq km; Banglapedia gives 147,570 and BBS and the CIA Factbook give 148,460. The three figures disagree, so there is no quiz question on area.
Border lengths (as printed in Zubair)
| Border | Printed figure |
|---|---|
| Total border | 5,138 km (commonly cited 4,719 km) |
| With India | 4,156 km (commonly cited 3,715 km) |
| With Myanmar | 271 km by BGB (a secondary geography book says 280 km) |
Watch out: Border lengths differ by source: the CIA Factbook gives 4,142 km with India and 271 km with Myanmar. No final answer was found, so the book's figures are given as printed; there is no quiz question. Treat them as uncertain.
Check yourself
When and by whom was the name ‘Bangladesh’ adopted?
At a glance
- 1
Official name The People's Republic of Bangladesh; capital Dhaka, commercial capital Chattogram.
- 2
The name ‘Bangladesh’ was adopted on 5 December 1969; Independence Day is 26 March, Victory Day 16 December.
- 3
Position: 20°34'–26°38' N, 88°01'–92°41' E; local time GMT +6.
- 4
Two neighbouring countries (India, Myanmar); 3 international airports; 3 sea ports (Chattogram, Mongla, Payra).
- 5
Census 2022: population 16.98 crore, density 1,119, literacy 74.80%.