Bangladesh at a Glance |
Country Profile Official Name : The People's Republic of Bangladesh 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 Zone- Up to 370.40 km. in the high seas, measured from the base line. Boundary : North - India (West Bengal and Meghalaya), West - India (West Bengal) East - India (Tripura and Assam) and Myanmar, South-Bay of Bengal. Capital : Dhaka: Area-1416 Sq. Km. Population 9.9 million in 2001 Administrative Units : Division: 6; Zila: 64; Thana: 507; Union: 4484; Village: 87319 Major Cities : Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Mymenshing, Comilla, Barisal, Sylhet. Government : Parliamentary form of Government President is the head of the state while the government elected by the people is headed by the Prime Minster. Time : GMT+6.00 hours. Business Hours : Government Office Hours: 09.00 am to 05.00 pm, Sunday-Thursday, Friday and Saturday closed. Some Private business houses work on Fridays and Saturday. Currency : Taka, having 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 in notes and 5, 2, 1 in coins. Exchange Rate: US$ 1 = Taka 71.00 Climate : Average Winter temp (Max 29° C Min 11° C). Average summer temp (Max 38° C Min 21° C) Monsoon Rainfall : Lowest 340 mm. Highest 964 mm. Humidity : Highest 99% Lowest 36 % Main Seasons : Winter (November – February), Summer (May –June), Monsoon (July – October) Population in Census 2001 : Approximately 129 million; Growth rate 1.48% per annum; Sex ratio 103.8 males per 100 females; Urban Population 23.39%. No of household units 25.36 million; Density per square km 834. Religion (Census 1991) : Muslims - 86.6%, Hindus - 12.1%, Buddhists - 0.6%, Christians 0.4% and others 0.3%. Literacy Rate : 60% Language : Bengali 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, Limestone, 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. 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, etc. Wearing Apparel : Tropical in summer and Light woolen in winter. |
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