Introduction

Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal separated from India and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955. It seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. It's capital is Dhaka. In parliamentary elections held in December 2008, Sheikh Hasina Wajed was reappointed Prime Minister. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.

Geographical Location

Bangladesh is located in Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India. It's total area is 143,998 sq. km. or slightly smaller than Iowa. It is mostly flat alluvial plain, but hilly in the southeast. The elevation extremes are: lowest point - Indian Ocean, 0 m.; highest point - Keokradong 1,230 m. Most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas; the Ganges unites with the Jamuna and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal. Natural resources include natural gas, arable land, timber and coal. Although 55% of the land is arable, only 3% of the land is used for permanent crops. Agricultural products include: rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit, beef, milk and poultry. Industries include: cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering and sugar.

Climate

The climate in the country is tropical with mild winters (October to March), hot, humid summers (March to June), and humid, warm rainy monsoon season (June to October). Natural hazards include droughts, cyclones, and much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season.

Population

The estimated population is 156,050,883 (July 2009 est.). The population growth rate is 1.292% with a birth rate of 24.68 per 1000 and a death rate of 9.23 per 1000. Life expectancy at birth is 60.25 years. The labor force by occupation: agriculture - 63%, industry - 11%, services - 26%. Over 45% of the population lives below the poverty level. Ethnic groups include Bengali, 98% with the other 2% including tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998). High risk major infectious diseases include: food or waterborne diseases, bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria and leptospirosis.

Languages

Bengali is the official language. English is also used. Only 47.9% of the population age 15 and over, read and write.

Religion

The main religions are: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998).