Bangladesh

Bangladesh
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Conventional long name	People's Republic of Bangladesh
Capital	Dhaka
Largest city	Dhaka
Official languages	Bengali
Government type	Parliamentary republic
Area km2	147570
Population estimate	170000000
Currency	Taka
Calling code	+880

Bangladesh Bangladesh is a sovereign state in South Asia located on the Bengal region coast of the Bay of Bengal, bordered by India and Myanmar. Dhaka serves as the capital and major metropolis, while the nation maintains political ties with SAARC, United Nations, and regional partners such as China and United States. The country is notable for its deltaic geography formed by the Ganges Delta, extensive riverine networks like the Ganges and Brahmaputra, a dense population, and a history shaped by movements including the Partition of India and the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Etymology and Symbols

The name derives from the historic Bengal region and terms used in the Bengali language; the etymology is discussed in works referencing Bengal Presidency, Mughal Empire, and colonial-era documents like the East India Company records. National symbols include the flag influenced by anti-colonial movements and representations seen alongside emblems such as the national coat of arms of Bangladesh and memorials like Shaheed Minar that recall the Bengali Language Movement. Iconic flora and fauna connected to symbols include the white-flowered water lily and species celebrated in conservation by organizations like the IUCN and initiatives tied to the Sundarbans.

History

Prehistoric and medieval eras link to archaeological sites and polities such as the Pala Empire, Chandra dynasty, and accounts in Traveler Xuanzang's records; later periods saw rule by the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and administrative reforms under the British Raj and the Bengal Presidency. The 20th century featured political developments including the Partition of India, the Pakistan Movement, and events such as the Language Movement and the United Front (East Pakistan) politics that culminated in the Bangladesh Liberation War against forces of the Pakistan Armed Forces with intervention and recognition involving the Indian Armed Forces and international actors like the Soviet Union and United States. Post-independence eras saw leadership by figures associated with parties such as the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, periods of martial law connected to leaders who invoked the 1975 coups in Bangladesh, transitional events leading to elections overseen by institutions including the Election Commission of Bangladesh, and development initiatives tied to programs by World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and regional partnerships like SAARC.

Geography and Environment

The nation's landscape is dominated by the Ganges Delta with major rivers including the Padma River, Jamuna River, and Meghna River, coastal ecosystems like the Sundarbans mangrove forest home to the Bengal tiger, and island chains such as St. Martin's Island. Climate patterns involve the Indian monsoon and risks from cyclones tracked by agencies including the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and international bodies like UNESCO working on resilience projects. Environmental concerns intersect with projects by NGOs and agencies such as BRAC, IUCN, and the World Wide Fund for Nature addressing issues from river erosion and flooding to conservation of species like the Ganges river dolphin.

Government and Politics

The political system is a parliamentary republic with institutions including the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament), the President of Bangladesh as head of state, and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh as head of government; major political parties include the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Judicial matters involve the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and historical legal traditions influenced by colonial-era codes such as the Indian Penal Code introduced under the British Raj. Security forces include the Bangladesh Armed Forces and paramilitary units like the Border Guard Bangladesh; international engagements span defense cooperation with countries such as China, India, and participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Economy

Economic sectors include agriculture with crops like jute, rice, and tea connected to estates historically managed under the East India Company and British Raj, industry centered on the ready-made garment industry linked to export markets in the European Union and United States, and remittances from expatriate workers in regions including Middle East states and Malaysia. Major economic institutions include the Bangladesh Bank and development projects financed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank; infrastructure programs involve ports such as the Chittagong Port and energy projects with partners like Petrobangla and investments from China, Japan, and India. Labor issues and industrial safety have been highlighted by incidents such as the Rana Plaza collapse, prompting reforms overseen by organizations including the International Labour Organization.

Demographics and Society

Population dynamics reflect a young and dense populace with languages centered on Bengali language and minority languages like Chakma language; religious communities include adherents of Islam in Bangladesh and Hinduism in Bangladesh along with Buddhism in Bangladesh and Christianity in Bangladesh. Social institutions include NGOs such as BRAC and Grameen Bank known for microfinance pioneered by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Urbanization trends concentrate populations in metropolitan areas like Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna while rural livelihoods remain tied to riverine agriculture and fisheries associated with the Bay of Bengal.

Culture and Education

Cultural life draws on literary figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, musical traditions like Baul and classical forms connected to institutions including the Bangla Academy and festivals such as Pohela Boishakh and Eid al-Fitr. Visual arts and cinema have produced directors and works recognized at festivals featuring films screened at venues like Cannes Film Festival and national awards administered by the Bangladesh National Film Awards. Higher education institutions include the University of Dhaka, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, and technical institutes aligned with programs from international partners such as the UNESCO and World Bank; research centers collaborate with organizations including the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b).

Category:Countries in Asia