Bangladesh Travel Information and Advice | Pyala Travel

Bangladesh Travel Information | Bangladesh Country Information

Bangladesh, a country on the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal, is surrounded by India, with a small common border with Myanmar in the southeast. The country is a low-lying riverine land traversed by the many branches and tributaries of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. Traveling in Bangladesh offers you unusual experiences of discovery.  

History:
The earliest reference to the region was to a kingdom called Vanga, or Banga (1000 B.C.). Buddhists ruled for centuries, but by the 10th century Bengal was primarily Hindu. In 1576, Bengal became part of the Mughal Empire, and the majority of East Bengalis converted to Islam. Bengal was ruled by British India from 1757 until Britain withdrew in 1947, and Pakistan was founded out of the two predominantly Muslim regions of the Indian subcontinent. For almost 25 years after independence from Britain, it was a part of Pakistan & known as East Pakistan . Although united by religion (Islam), the people of East Pakistan were separated by culture, physical features, and 1,000 miles of Indian Territory as well as different language from the West Pakistan. Moreover the East was being ruled by the West with inequality. These made the people of the East to revolt, which led to a Liberation War in 1971. After shedding blood of 3 million people in nine months’ war, East Pakistan earned their independence and today’s Bangladesh was formed.  

Languages:
The state language and mother tongue is Bengali. English is widely spoken and understood. Hindi and Urdu are also understood by general people. Now-a-days some people are learning other languages like French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese etc. for professional purpose.  

Population:
Recent (2005–2007) estimates of Bangladesh’s population range from 142 to 159 million, making it the 7th most populous nation in the world. 85% population live in rural areas. Density of population is about 900 per sq.km. There are about 2 million indigenous people of 23 tribes. They dwell mostly in Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban and in part of Northern districts. The tribes have exotic distinct cultures of their own.  

Religion:
Although known as a Muslim country, Bangladesh is a land of religious freedom, harmony and tolerance. People of all castes and creeds live here in perfect harmony. There are 86.6% of Muslims with 12.1% Hindus, 0.6 % Buddhists, 0.4% Christians and 0.3% of other religious people.  

Government:
Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a parliamentary democracy. The members of the parliament are elected by direct votes from the citizens. Currently the parliament has 345 members including 45 reserved seats for women, elected from single-member constituencies. The Prime Minister, as the head of Government, forms the cabinet and runs the day-to-day affairs of state. While the Prime Minister is formally appointed by the President, he or she must be an MP who commands the confidence of the majority of parliament. The President is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament.  

Economy:
Despite continuous domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a developing nation. Its per capita income in 2006 was US00 compared to the world average of ,200. Bangladesh is mainly an agricultural country with some three-fifths of the population engaged in farming. Jute was once the economic engine of the country. Presently Tea, Garments and Manpower are the principal sources of foreign exchange.  

Area & Geography:
Bangladesh, with a land area of 144,000 square kilometers, is located between 20034' 26038' north latitude, 88001' and 92041' east longitude. The country is in the low-lying Ganges–Brahmaputra River Delta. This delta is formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghan rivers and their respective tributaries. The Bay of Bengal flows at the south end of the country. The climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June. A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall.  

Flora and Fauna:
A major part of the coastline comprises a marshy jungle, the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Tourist Spot:
Bangladesh as a holiday making land exposes too many flamboyant facets. Its tourist attractions are many folded, which include archaeological sites, historical mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forests and tribal people, wildlife of various species. Bangladesh offers ample opportunities to tourists for angling, water skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting, sea bathing as well as bringing one in close touch with pristine nature. Bangladesh has three World Heritage Site marked by UNESCO, one of which is the Sundarbans. It is the largest Mangrove Forest in the world, which is proudly competing in the running 7 Wonders of Nature. The country also has Paharpur that is the Single largest Buddhist monument of South Himalayas, Cox’s Bazar – the single largest unbroken sea beach in the world, Mahastangar, Putia Temple City, and many more.