The People's Republic Of Bangladesh.
Location:Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India.
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E.
CapitalDhaka (Area 414 sq. km. Master plan 777 sq. km.).
Currency :Currency unit is Taka. Notes are of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100 and 500 Taka. Coins are of 1,5,10,25,50 and 100 Poisha (100 Poisha = 1 Taka).
LanguageBangla is the state language. English is also widely spoken and understood. Arabic is read and spoken for religious purposes.
Government type: parliamentary democracy. Population: 133,376,684 (July 2002 est.) Religions:Muslim 88.3%, Hindu 10.5%, others 1.2% .
Area:
Total: 144,000 sq km.
Land: 133,910 sq km.
Water: 10,090 sq km.
Bounded by India from the north, east and west, Burma from the south-east and the Bay of Bengal from the south.
Climate:tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Rainfall:Lowest 47" and highest 136".
National Days:National Martyrs Day ( February 21).
Independence Day ( March 26 ).
Victory Day ( December 16).
Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Madhumati, Surma and Kushiara.
Principal Crops:Rice, jute, tobacco, tea, sugarcane, vegetables, potato, pulses, etc.
Fruits:Mango, banana, pineapple, jack-fruit, water-melon, green coconut, guava, lichis, etc.
Major Industries:Jute, sugar, paper, textiles, fertilizers, cigarette, cement, steel, natural gas, oil-refinery, newsprint, power generation, rayon, matches, fishing and food processing, leather, soap, carpet, timber, ship-building, telephone, etc.
Airports:Zia International Airport, Dhaka, Chattogram International Airport, Sylhet International Airport and domestic airports at Jessore, Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi and Saidpur.
Sea Ports:Chattogram, Mongla.
Time: GMT +6 hours. Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. Weights & measures: Metric. Tourist Interests:Longest sea beach, colorful tribal life, centuries' old archeological sites, the Sundarbans (home of the Royal Bengal Tigers and spotted deer), largest tea gardens, interesting riverine life, etc.