Bangladesh became one of the youngest major nation states following a pair of twentieth century secessions from India (1947) and Pakistan (1971). The region's history combines Indo-Aryan, Austro-Asiatic, Dravidian, Mughal, Persian, Turkic and British influences. Bangladesh's territory became part of the state of Bengal as part of the Mughal Empire for two centuries and also during the succeeding two centuries of British rule. During the twentieth century, its resilient inhabitants seem to have suffered one trauma after another. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Mujib) led the nation to independence in 1971, but he and his successor Ziaur Rahman (Zia) were both assassinated only in a span of six years. Their legacies (and families) define Bangladesh's democracy to this day.

Official Name: The People's Republic of Bangladesh. Capital City:     Dhaka (Metropolitan area 590sq. miles or 949 sq. kilometers) Geographical Location:  In South Asia: between 20° 34' and 26° 38' north latitude and between 88° 01' and 92° 41' east longitude: consists of flat fertile alluvial land. Current President: Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed People: Population 12,92,47,233 (Jan 22, 2001) Male 6,58,41,419 Female 6,34,05,814 Sex ratio 103.8 Population Density 834/sq.km Population Growth 1.48% (in the 2001 census over 1991 census) Religion: Muslim: 88.3 % Hindu: 10.5 % Buddhist: 0.6 % Christian: 0.3 %   Language: 95% Bengali. 5 percent other dialects, English is widely spoken. Ethnic groups: Predominantly mixed group of Proto Austroloids/Dravidians, Mongoloids and Aryans. Food: Staple diet - rice, vegetable, pulses, meat and fish.   Principal Rivers: Padma, Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Meghna, Karnaphulli, Teesta etc. (total 230 rivers including tributaries). Major Cities: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Comilla, Barisal and Sylhet. Principal Crops and Fruits: Rice, Jute, Wheat, Tobacco, Sugarcane,Tea, Pulses, Oilseeds, Spices, Potatoes, Vegetables, Bananas, Mango, Coconut and Jack Fruit. Principal Industries: Garments, Jute, Cotton, Textile, Tea, Paper, Newsprint, Cement, Fertilizer, Sugar, Engineering, Electrical Cables, Leather and Fish. Mineral resources: Natural gas, limestone, hard rock, coal, lignite silica sand, white clay, radio-active sand,Oil. Principal imports: Wheat, Oilseeds, Crude Petroleum, Raw cotton, Edible oil, Petroleum products, Fertilizer, Staple fibers, Yarn, Iron and Steel, Electrical goods, Mechinery, Electronics. Principal Exports: Ready-made garments, Jute and Jute Products, Tea,Fish, Leather, Frozen food ,Chemical fertilizer etc. Airports: Dhaka, Chittagong, Jessore, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal, Cox's Bazar and Syedpur. Inland river ports: Dhaka, Narayanganj, Chandpur, Barisal, Khulna, Bhairab, Sirajgonj etc. Sea ports: Chittagong and Mongla. Satellite Stations: Betbunia (Chittagong) and Talibabad (Dhaka) for international telecommunication TV Station: Dhaka, Chittagong. Radio Stations: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Comilla, Rangamati and Thakurgaon. Educational Institutions(1999): Universities-30, Medical Colleges-24, Bangladesh Institute of Technology-4, Colleges-2288, Polytechnic Institute-20, Secondary School-14069, Primary School-65610 Wearing Apparels: Tropical in summer and light woolen in winter 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, Mohasthangar, Sundarban the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Largest tea garden, riverine life etc. Electricity: 220 Volts A.C. in all cities and towns. National Day: 26th March Victory Day: 16th December Standard Time: GMT + 6 hours Climate: tropical cool, dry winters (October to March); hot, humid Weather Overview: The climate of Bangladesh is subtropical and tropical with days still averaging 25°C (77°F) in January, 35°C (95°F) in April and lingering around the 30°C (86°F) mark for most of the year. Bangladesh has three main seasons: the monsoon or 'wet' season from late May to early October; the 'cold' season from mid-October to the end of February; and the 'hot' season (known in Bangladesh as the 'little rainy season') from mid-March to mid-May. There is also a 'cyclone season' - May to June and October to November.   Boundaries: North India (West Bengal and Meghalaya) West India (West Bengal) East India (Tripura and Assam) and Myanmar South Bay of Bengal