Islamic countries

Islamic countries

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH
GANA PRAJA TANTRI BANGLA DESH

General Information

Total Land Area:	147,570 km²
Land boundaries:	4,246 km
Coastline:	580 km
Capital:	Dhaka
Other Large Cities:	Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi
Official Language:	Bangla
National Currency Unit:	Taka (BDT)
National Day:	March 26

Location and Geography

Bangladesh, located in the Eastern part of South Asia, straddles the Tropic of Cancer and is enclosed by India with the exception of a short South-eastern frontier with Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Bay of Bengal lies to the South. The most significant feature of the landscape is the rivers, which have moulded not only their environment but also the way the people live. The landmass is deltaic comprising mainly the delta of three rivers: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Maghna, with a network of numerous canals. The land is mostly flat alluvial plain with some hills in the South-east. Flooding of the land is a major problem. Two-thirds of the land are arable and 16 percent is covered with forests. The climate is sub-tropical and is dominated by the seasonally reversing monsoons. Winters are cool and dry, summers are hot and humid. The subtropical climate has made the country luxuriant in vegetation.

Demography

Population:	131.60 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	28 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	8 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	48 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 62 years, Female: 63 years (2002)
Urban Population:	26.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	51.00 percent (2000)

Economy

The majority of the population in Bangladesh is engaged in agriculture. The country’s rivers and the sea coast are suitable for fisheries. Jute has traditionally occupied a pivotal position in the Bangladeshi economy since it links agriculture to industry. Bangladesh has a significant number of large and small sized industries run both by public and private ownership, and based on indigenous and imported raw materials. Among them are jute and cotton textiles, garments, paper, newsprint, fertilisers, and cigarettes. Bangladesh produces most of its domestic food needs in rice, wheat, corn, grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Rice is the staple food grain. Natural gas is the most important source of energy in the country. The other main natural resources are lignite coal, limestone, glass sand and timber.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	46851 million US$ (2002)
Per Capita GDP:	356 US$ (2002)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	24.0% Agriculture, 27.0% Industry, 49.0% Services, (2002)
Total Exports:	5442 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	7819 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Garments, jute, leather, frozen fish and seafood
Major Imports Items:	Capital goods, textiles, food and petroleum products
Major Trading Partners:	US, India, China, Singapore and Germany