About Bangladesh

1.1 General Information

Bangladesh is a unitary and sovereign republic known as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It emerged as an independent nation on 26 March 1971. The nine-month long war of liberation culminated in the victory of Bangladesh forces over the Pakistani occupiers on 16 December 1971. This region was under Muslim rule for five and a half centuries since the 13th century, under British rule for two centuries since 1757 AD, and remained a province of Pakistan between 1947 and 1971. President Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed is now the head of the State and Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia the head of the Government.

The State language of Bangladesh is Bangla. The national anthem of Bangladesh comprises the first ten lines of the song ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate. The national flag of the republic consists of a rectangular background. The emblem of the republic is Shapla (Water Lily), resting on water having on each side sheaf of paddy surmounted by three connected leaves of jute with two stars each side of the leaves.

The capital of the republic is Dhaka. The currency is known as Taka (Tk) divided into 100 paisa. The citizens of Bangladesh are known as Bangladesh. Local time is 6 hours ahead of GMT.

1.2 Physical Features

1.2.1 Historical Background

Anthropologists agree that Bangladesh has historically been a land of many races. Long before the arrival of the Aryans in 5th and 6th centuries BC, the Bangalies were already racially mixed. The ancestors of present day inhabitants of Bangladesh have therefore emerged from the fusion of such diverse races as the Austric, Dravidian, Mongolid, Homo-Alpine, Mediterranean Brown, Aryans and so on. Started with the invasion of India in 326, Bengal was mostly ruled by Maura (4th-2nd BC), the Guptas (4th-5th BC), the empire of Sasanka (7th century AD), the Pala Empire (750-1162 AD) and the Senas (1162-1223 AD)

From the 13th century AD, the Buddhist and Hindu rulers were swamped by the flood of Muslim rulers and the tide of Islam continued upto 18th century. From the 15th century, the Europeans – Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders –exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah was defeated at the battle of Palashi.

1.2.2 The Location

Bangladesh is located in the eastern part of the South Asian sub-continent. It lies between 20? 34’ and 26? 38’ North and Longitudes 88? 01’ East. The country is bordered by India on the east, west and north, and by the Bay of Bengal and a small border strip with Myanmar on the south.

1.2.3 Area and Land

Bangladesh has a land area of about 1,47,570 square kilometer (56,977 sq. miles). It’s alluvial plains provide fertile agricultural lands. The land mass is deltaic comprising mainly the delta of three mighty rivers – the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Megna, with a network of numerous rivers and channels. Vast green fields are bounded by low hills in the north-east and the south east with an average elevation of 244 and 610 meters respectively. The highest point is located in the south-eastern extremity of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

1.2.4 Climate

Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate. There are basically four seasons in a year -- winter (December-February), Summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-September) and Autumn (October-November). The average temperature across the country usually ranges between 11?C and 29?C in winter months and between 21?C and 34?C during summer months. Annual rainfall varies from 160 cm to 200 cm in the west, 200 cm to 400 cm in the south-east and 250 cm to 400 cm in the north-east.

1.2.4 Flora

The tropical climate has made the country luxuriant in vegetation. The villagers are usually buried in groves in Mango, Banana, Jack-fruit, Coconut, Palm, Bamboo and other useful trees. Forests cover about 17 percent of the land area. Herbs and shrubs grow everywhere. Most of the hilly regions are covered with forests. The largest forest is the Sundarbans, which stretches along the south-western seaboard and provides sanctuary to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger.

1.2.5 Fauna

A variety of wild animals are found in the forests. Of the 200 species of mammals, the pride of place goes to the Royal Bengal Tiger found in the Sundarbans. Elephants are found in the forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Among the bovine animals, Buffalo, Ox and Bison are commonly seen. There are about 150 species of reptiles. There are hundreds of categories of birds, and fresh water fishes are abundant in both quantity and category.

1.2.6 The People

Social life in Bangladesh is marked by conservative tradition and communal harmony. Around 75 percent of the people live in rural areas and 60 percent of the people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Rice and fish are common diet. Lungis and vests are the attire for men in the rural areas as opposed to shirts and trousers in the urban areas. Sarees are the common dress for womenfolk. There are about 1.8 million tribal people, majority of whom live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The tribes have distinct culture of their own.

1.2.7 Religion

The four major religions in the country are Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. The Muslim constitute about 80% of the population and the Hindus about 10%. The rest comprise mainly of Buddhists, Christians and Animists. The Constitution guarantees religious and cultural freedom of all citizens of Bangladesh.

1.3 Demographic Situation

1.3.1 Population

Bangladesh, a small coastal country of South Asia, is the eighth most populous country in the world with an estimated population of about 132 million with the growth rate of 1.48%. Around 75 percent of the people live in rural areas and 60 percent people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Bangladesh has the highest population in the word, 892 person per square kilometre.

1.3.2 Economic Situation

Bangladesh has an agrarian economy with 25% of GDP coming from the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector. Major agricultural products are rice, jute, wheat, potato, pulses, tobacco, tea, sugarcane, etc. The country is the largest exporter of jute and jute goods in the world. Readymade garments occupy the topmost position among the exportable items. Tea, frozen shrimps, fish, leather goods, flowers and vegetables, ceramic-ware and handicrafts are also major exportable commodities.

Bangladesh has undergone major shift in its economic philosophy and management in recent years. Since mid-seventies, the country under look a major restructuring towards establishing a market economy with emphasis on private sector led economic growth. Since its assumption of office in 2001, the present government has attached top priority to rapid economic growth alongside reduction of poverty in the country through employment generation, human resource development and revitalization of the rural economy.

The government is working tirelessly to upgrade the living standard of the people by meeting their basic needs and is determined to ensure health for all within the shortest possible time. Considerable progress has been achieved in Bangladesh in the fields of Health and Family Welfare. The Immunization programme which has been acclaimed world wide now covers 80% of children compared to 55% in 1990-91. Primary health care has been expanded throughout the country. Infant and mortality rates have come down dramatically. Contraceptive prevalence rate has increased to around 54 percent, as a result of which population growth rate is now 1.48 percent. The government is actively involved in providing primary health care facilities through union and upazila health complexes, secondary health care facilities through medical college hospitals, post-graduate institutes and specialized hospitals at divisional and national levels. The health policy of government aims to expand healthcare programmes and improve service quality.

Annual GDP growth rate of the country is 5.33 and per capita GDP is US$ 380.00 in the year 2001-2002. The GDP growth in Agricultrue and Forestry sector is Tk. 46,003 crore, Fisheres resources Tk. 13,897.00 crore, Energey and mineral resources Tk. 2,997.00 crore, Industries Tk. 41,805.00 crore, Electricity, Gas, Water Resources Tk. 3,640.00 crore, Construction Tk. 21,159.00 crores, Wholesale and retail marketing Tk. 35,312.00 crore, Hotel and Restaurant Tk. 1,740.00 crore, Transportation, Preservation and Communication Tk. 25,524.00 crore, Financial Institution Services Tk. 4,207.00 crore, Real Estate, Rent and other business Tk. 23,995.00 crore, Public Administration and Defence Tk. 7,117.00 crore, Education Tk. 6,352.00 crore, Health and Social Services Tk. 6,079.00 crore, Community, Social and Personal Services Tk. 23,698.00 crore and Import Duty Tk. 9,676.00 crore.

Unemployment rate in the country is 3.7 (2000).

The Annual inflation rate is and official exchange rate to US$ 57.90.

Illiteracy rate : Male – 33.37% Female – 41.40% Total : 37.34

Infant Mortality Rate Per 1000 live births: 58 person

Life expectancy at birth : 61