Bangladesh

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 (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 150,448,339 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Bangladeshi(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Bangladeshi

Official Language(s): Bengali

Major Languages Spoken: Bengali, Burmese, English

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): People's Republic of Bangladesh

Country Name (short form): Bangladesh

Country Name (local long form): Gana Prajatantri Banladesh

Country Name (local short form): Banladesh

Name of Capital: Dhaka

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Bangladesh: Burma, India

Land Area: 133910 sq km

Water Area: 10090 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly smaller than Iowa

Total Land Boundry: 4,246 km

Coastline: 580 km

National Holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

International Phone Code: 880

Currency Code: taka (BDT)

Internet Country Code: .bd

US Embassy Location: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212

US Embassy Mailing Address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000