Country Profile [CIA, 2005]
Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.
| Location |
Asia |
| Coordinates |
24° 0' N 90° 0' E |
| Capital
| Dacca (Pop: 3.4) |
| Main Cities |
Chittagong, Khulna |
| Area |
144000 km2 |
| Boundaries (km) |
4,246 - Burma 193, India 4,053 |
| Coastline (km) |
580 |
| Timezone (GMT) |
6 |
| Population |
144.32 million |
| Public Holidays |
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh |
| Currency |
Taka (TK) |
| GDP |
$US 275.7 billion |
| Main Exports |
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood (2001) |
| Climate |
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) |
| Natural Hazards |
droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season |
| Physical Features |
Mainly flat alluvial plain and hilly terrain in the southeast. Ganges river, Brahmaputra river |
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Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.