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BANGLADESH
About Bangladesh
What is your image of Bangladesh? Some may not know even where it is. People go all over the world, yet this is a rare country known so little about it. Bangladesh is full of "culture shocks", and changes your values upside down. Traveling in Bangladesh offers you unusual experiences of discovery.
A land of enormous beauty, hundreds of serpentine rivers, crystal clear water lakes surrounded by ever green hills, luxuriant tropical rain forests, beautiful cascades of green tea gardens, world's largest mangrove forest preserved as World Heritage, home of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the wild lives, warbling of birds in green trees, wind in the paddy fields, abundance of sunshine, world's longest natural sea beach, rich cultural heritage, relics of ancient Buddhist civilizations and colorful tribal lives, - Bangladesh creates an unforgettable impression of a land of peace
HISTORY OF BANGLADESH
Bangladesh came to today's shape through a long history of political evolution. Bengal was probably the wealthiest part of the subcontinent up till the 16th century. The area's early history featured a succession of Indian empires, internal squabbling, and a tussle between Hinduism and Buddhism for dominance. All of this was just a prelude to the unstoppable tide of Islam which washed over northern India at the end of the 12th century. Mohammed Bakhtiar Khalzhi from Turkistan captured Bengal in 1199 with only 20 men.
Under the Mughal viceroys, art and literature flourished, overland trade expanded and Bengal was opened to world maritime trade - the latter marking the death knell of Mughal power as Europeans began to establish themselves in the region. The Portuguese arrived as early as the 15th century but were ousted in 1633 by local opposition. The East India Company negotiated terms to establish a fortified trading post in Calcutta in 1690.
The decline of Mughals power led to greater provincial autonomy, heralding the rise of the independent dynasty of the Nawabs of Bengal. Humble East India Company clerk Robert Clive ended up effectively ruling Bengal when one of the impetuous Nawabs attacked the thriving British enclave in Calcutta and stuffed those unlucky enough not to escape in an underground cellar. Clive retook Calcutta a year later and the British Government replaced the East India Company following the Indian Mutiny in 1857.
The Britons established an organizational and social structure unparalleled in Bengal, and Calcutta became one of the most important centers for commerce, education and culture in the subcontinent. However, many Bangladeshi historians blame the British dictatorial agricultural policies and promotion of the semi-feudal Zamindar system for draining the region of its wealth and damaging its social fabric. The British presence was a relief to the minority Hindus but a catastrophe for the Muslims. The Hindus cooperated with the Brits, entering British educational institutions and studying the English language, but the Muslims refused to cooperate, and rioted whenever crops failed or another local product was rendered unprofitable by government policy.
At the closure of World War II it was clear that European colonialism had run its course and Indian independence was inevitable. Independence was attained in 1947 but the struggle was bitter and divisive, especially in Bengal where the fight for self-government was complicated by internal religious conflict. The British, realizing any agreement between the Muslims and Hindus was impossible, decided to partition the subcontinent. That Bengal and Punjab, the two overwhelmingly Muslim regions, lay on opposite sides of India was only one stumbling block. The situation was complicated in Bengal where the major cash crop, jute, was produced in the Muslim-dominated east, but processed and shipped from the Hindu-dominated city of Calcutta in the west.
Inequalities between the two regions i.e. East and West Pakistan soon stirred up a sense of Bengali nationalism that had not been reckoned with during the push for Muslim independence. When the Pakistan government declared that `Urdu and only Urdu' would be the national language, the Bangla-speaking Bengalis decided it was time to assert their cultural identity. The drive to reinstate the Bangla language metamorphosed into a push for self-government and when the Awami League, a nationalistic party, won a majority in the 1971 national elections, the president of Pakistan, faced with this unacceptable result, postponed opening the National Assembly. Riots and strikes broke out in East Pakistan, the independent state of Bangladesh was unilaterally announced, and Pakistan sent troops to quell the rebellion.
The ensuing war was one of the shortest and bloodiest of modern times, with the Pakistan army occupying all major towns, using napalm against villages, and slaughtering and raping villagers. Bangladeshis refer to Pakistan's brutal tactics as attempted genocide. Border clashes between Pakistan and India increased as Inditrained Bangladeshi guerrillas crossed the border. When the Pakistani air force made a pre-emptive attack on Indian forces, open warfare ensued. Indian troops crossed the border and the Pakistani army found itself being attacked from the east by the Indian army, the north and east by guerrillas and from all quarters by the civilian population. In 11 days it was all over and Bangladesh, the world's 139th country, officially came into existence. Sheikh Mujib, one of the founders of the Awami League, became the country's first prime minister in January 1972; he was assassinated in 1975 during a period of crisis
The ruined and decimated new country experienced famine in 1973-74, followed by martial law, successive military coups and political assassinations. In 1979, Bangladesh began a short-lived experiment with democracy led by the overwhelmingly popular President Zia, who established good relationships with the West and the oil-rich Islamic countries. His assassination in 1981 ultimately returned the country to a military government that periodically made vague announcements that elections would be held `soon'. While these announcements were rapturously greeted by the local press as proof that Bangladesh was indeed a democracy, nothing came of them until 1991. That year the military dictator General Ershad was forced to resign by an unprecedented popular movement led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League.
Democracy was re-established and the economy ticked along at a 4.5% growth rate, which hardly made it an 'Asian tiger' but was at least respectable. Political dog-fighting between the BNP and the Awami League became acrimonious in the run up to national elections in February 1996 leaving the country strike-ridden and rudderless. The election was marred by violence and boycotted by the three main opposition parties, resulting in a BNP shoo-in. However, low voter turnout and reports of ballot-box stuffing by polling officials raised serious questions about the government's legitimacy and in April 1996 Prime Minister Begum Khaleda agreed to stand down and appointed an interim caretaker administration, pending new elections scheduled for 12 June 1996.In the elections Awami League got the largest number of seats. Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the leader of the Awami League, was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Government.
Tourism
Bangladesh is bestowed with the bounties of nature. It has a coastline of 66400 km. with Bay of Bengal, World’s longest (unbroken 120 km) sea beach at Cox’s bazar, world’s largest mangrove forest- Sunderban with world famous Royal Bengal Tiger and evergreen hilly areas of Chittagong hill tracts with tribal culture have provoked many tourists from far and near. Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet international airport serving International travelers. Peak travel months are November to February.
Land Resources
With an area of about 144,000 sq km, Bangladesh is situated between latitudes 20 degrees 34' and 26 degree 38' north and longitudes 88 degree 01' and 92 degree 41' east. The country is bordered by India on the east, west and north and by the Bay of Bengal on the south. There is also a small strip of frontier with Burma on the southeastern edge. The land is a deltaic plain with a network of numerous rivers and canals. Hilly regions on the northeast and southeast with an average elevation of 244m and 610m respectively mark a variation to the general topography of the country. The highest point (1230m) is located at the southeastern extremity of the erstwhile district of Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Physical Environment
Bangladesh is nestled in the crook of the Bay of Bengal, surrounded by India. It shares a border in the south-east with Myanmar and fronts onto the Bay of Bengal. The country is flat. Over 90% of the country is composed of alluvial plains less than 10m above sea level. The only relief from these low-lying plains occurs in the north-east and south-east corners where modest hills rise to an average height of around 240m (787ft) and 600m (1970ft) respectively.
Roughly two-thirds of Bangladesh is fertile arable land and a little over 10% remains forested. The country is home to the Royal Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans, one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. There are also plenty of monkeys, langurs, gibbons (the only ape on the subcontinent), otters and mongooses. Reptiles include the sea tortoise, mud turtle, river tortoise, pythons, crocodiles and a variety of poisonous snakes. There are more than 600 species of birds. Bangladesh also has the largest number of fresh water fish in the world.
Economy
Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. The economy is largely agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the single most important activity. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, inadequate power supplies, and slow progress towards various necessary reforms. Natural hazards remain a major worry. Recently, severe floods, lasting from July to October 1998, endangered the livelihood of more than 20 million people.
Exports
In the FY 06, country’s total export was 10.5 billion US$ which is 21.6% higher than previous year. The main item of export is readymade garments, which contributes 75.0% of the total export earnings. Main markets of export goods are EU, USA and Canada.
International Travel
Bangladesh’s top 10 visitor source countries for 2005 were India, UK, USA, China, Japan, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Canada, Australia and Nepal.
Meet Bangladesh
Tourist attractions in Bangladesh abound. Throughout the country there are many fascinating things to see and exciting things to do. Arriving in Dhaka, your adventure can begin straight away. Pay a visit to the Old City where you will also be astounded by the bustling river life of Buriganga and the bright pink palace of Ahsan Manzil.The top attraction in Bangladesh's Dhaka is Lalbagh Fort.
Capital: Dhaka
Administrative divisions: 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet;
Independence Day: 26 March, 1971;
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March; Victory Day, 16 December;
Constitution: Parliamentary democracy
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal;
Currency: The unit is Taka. Present rate of exchange US$ = Taka 70 fi0.
Population: 158.6 million (UN, 2007) Muslim 86.6%, Hindu 12.1%, Buddhist 0.6%, Christian 0.4%, Others 0.2%
Language: National language Bangla spoken 95%, other dialects 5%, English is widely spoken.
Climate variation: Winter 7 9°c 20°c summer. 2? °c 34°c Rain fall & humidity /aI T OOmm to 3400mm (June August), Highest 99 % (July) 36% (Dec Jan)
Customs: Tourist can bring any amount of foreign currency in the forms of Travelers cheque. No declaration is necessary up to $5000. Personal effects 200 cigarettes and one liter liquor duty free.
Business Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 09 AM 045 PM, Friday Weekly Holiday,
Shopping centre: 10AM 08PM.
Cash and Credits: Preferable to bring US$ other currency can be exchanged from the number of Bank. Credit cards are also acceptable in a limited shops and establishment.
 Official Name: The People's Republic of Bangladesh
Flag of Bangladesh:
Internet domain: .bd
International dialing code: +880
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)
Language: Bengali (Bangla) 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
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.
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