| Location |
: South Asia. |
| Time |
: GMT + 6. |
| Area |
: 147,570 sq km (56,977 sq miles). |
| Population |
: 130 million (official estimate 2000). |
| Population Density |
: 882.3 per sq km. |
| Capital |
: Dhaka. Population: 3,612,850 (1991). |
It lies roughly between 20°-24¢ North Latitude and 88°-1¢ East Longitude. It has an area of 1,44,000 sq km. Bangladesh is situated on the north eastern side of the South Asian Subcontinent. Her long southern coastline along the Bay of Bengal shares the Indian Ocean with India and Burma. It is bordered on the West by the two Indian states of West Bengal and Bihar and on the East by Assam and Burma. On the North of Bangladesh lies Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan and to their North sprawls the vast territories of Tibet in the People's Republic of China. In the South eastern corner, she has a common border with Burma. The plains of Bangladesh are watered by one of the most remarkable network of rivers in the world the important rivers being Padma, Meghna, Brahmaputra and Jamuna. The Hills, which are located in Sylhet and the Hill Tracts Districts, are mostly low hills covered with green forests.
POPULATION
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated areas of the world. The present population is about 120 million which makes it the eighth populous country of the world. The average density of population is about 1978 persons per square mile. The lowest density areas are the Hill Tracts Districts, a range of hills and thick forests and the Sundarbans with 76 persons per square mile. About 86.6 per cent of the total population are Muslims. The other segments of the population are the Hindus, the Buddhists and the Christians. In the Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh Subcontinent, Bangladesh has the largest Buddhist population. DRESS Light woolen in winter and cotton clothes in summer. During monsoon one should be prepared for heavy rains and it is better to carry umbrella/rain-coat.
Religion
88 per cent Muslim, 10 per cent Hindus and 2 per cent Buddhist and Christian minorities. Religion is the main influence on attitudes and behaviour. Since 1988, Islam has been the official state religion.
Social Conventions
In someone’s home it is acceptable to sit crossed-legged on cushions or the sofa. If a visitor wishes to bring a gift, money must not be given as it may cause offence. Religious customs should be respected by guests. There are severe penalties for possession and trafficking of illegal drugs. some drugs-related offences are punishable by death. For instance, women should not be specifically photographed unless it is certain that there will be no objection. Women should wear trousers or long skirts; revealing clothes should be avoided, particularly when visiting religious places. Dress is generally informal for men, though modesty must be maintained. Same-sex relations are illegal. Photography: In rural areas, people are becoming more used to tourists; however, permission should be requested before photographs are taken of individuals. Do not photograph military installations.
Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the British 5- and 15-amp, two- or three-pin (round) type.
