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50 Facts about Bangladesh

Welcome to our contry facts series. Today we will talk about Facts about Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia, bordered by India to the north, east, and west, and Myanmar to the southeast. It has a rich culture and history, and its people have made significant contributions to the world in various fields. In this blog post, we will explore some interesting facts about Bangladesh.

50 Facts about Bangladesh

  1. Location and Geography: Bangladesh is located in South Asia on the Bay of Bengal, bordered by India to the West, North, and East, and Myanmar to the Southeast. It is majorly comprised of flat fertile land known as the Bengal delta, the largest delta in the world.
  2. Population: As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Bangladesh is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population of over 160 million people.
  3. Capital: The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka, which is also the largest city in the country.
  4. Language: The official language is Bengali (or Bangla), spoken by the vast majority of the population.
  5. Independence: Bangladesh gained its independence from Pakistan on March 26, 1971, after a nine-month-long war known as the Bangladesh Liberation War. The day is celebrated as the country’s Independence Day.
  6. Economy: Traditionally, the economy of Bangladesh has been characterized by agriculture, but in recent years, there has been significant growth in the industrial and service sectors, particularly in textiles, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.
  7. Natural Disasters: The country is susceptible to natural disasters, particularly cyclones and flooding due to its location on the Bengal delta.
  8. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Bangladesh is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, and the Sundarbans, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
  9. National Symbols: The national animal is the Royal Bengal Tiger, the national bird is the Oriental Magpie-Robin (Doyel), and the national flower is the Water Lily (Shapla).
  10. Culture: Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage with influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Literature, music, dance, and a variety of festivals play a significant role in Bangladeshi culture.
  11. Cuisine: Bangladeshi cuisine is known for its rich flavors, and extensive use of fish, vegetables, and lentils, with rice as a staple. The national dish is Hilsa fish.
  12. Religion: The majority of Bangladeshis are Muslim, making it the third-largest Muslim-majority country in the world. However, there are also significant minorities of Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
  13. Literacy: As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, the literacy rate in Bangladesh was over 70%. The country has made significant strides in improving education, particularly female education.
  14. Sports: The most popular sport in Bangladesh is cricket, with the Bangladesh national cricket team participating at an international level. Football is also popular.
  15. Environment: Bangladesh is notable for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The country has one of the largest solar power programs in the world.
  16. Garment Industry: The country is the second-largest exporter of textiles and garments in the world, after China. The industry plays a significant role in the economy and employment.
  17. Jute: Known as the “Golden Fiber,” jute is a significant export commodity for Bangladesh. The country is one of the world’s leading producers of jute.
  18. River Network: Bangladesh is a riverine country with about 700 rivers flowing through its territory. The Padma (Ganges), the Jamuna (Brahmaputra), and the Meghna are the principal rivers.
  19. Landmarks: The Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House), located in Dhaka and designed by renowned architect Louis Kahn, is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world.
  20. Time Zone: The country operates on Bangladesh Standard Time, which is 6 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+6).
  21. Currency: The currency of Bangladesh is the Taka.
  22. Human Rights: Bangladesh has made significant strides in human rights, particularly in areas such as gender equality and access to education.
  23. Flag: The national flag of Bangladesh is green with a red disk. The red disk represents the sun rising over Bengal and also the blood of those who died for the independence of Bangladesh. The green field stands for the lushness of the land.
  24. Military: The Bangladesh Armed Forces consist of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force, and they play an important role in disaster management, infrastructure development, and peacekeeping missions worldwide.
  25. Tea Production: Bangladesh is a significant tea producing country. The Sylhet region in the northeast of Bangladesh is well known for its tea estates.
  26. Music: Traditional music in Bangladesh shares the same roots as Indian classical music. Also, the Baul tradition, a unique heritage of Bangladeshi folk music, has been included in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
  27. Healthcare: In recent years, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in healthcare. Life expectancy has increased, and infant and maternal mortality rates have decreased.
  28. Flora and Fauna: Bangladesh is rich in biodiversity. The country is home to many rare and endangered species including the Bengal Tiger, the Gharial, the South Asian River Dolphin, and various species of birds.
  29. Bridges: The Jamuna Bridge (also known as the Bangabandhu Bridge) is the longest bridge in Bangladesh, spanning approximately 5 km over the Jamuna River.
  30. Nobel Prize: Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for their efforts to create economic and social development through microcredit.
  31. Rivers: Bangladesh is home to three of the world’s major rivers: The Ganges, Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. These rivers contribute to its being one of the largest deltas in the world.
  32. Cox’s Bazar: Bangladesh boasts the world’s longest natural sea beach, Cox’s Bazar, which stretches an uninterrupted length of approximately 125 kilometers.
  33. Liberation War Museum: The Liberation War Museum in Dhaka preserves the history and memorabilia of the Bangladesh Liberation War, fought in 1971.
  34. Chittagong: The city of Chittagong houses the largest sea port of Bangladesh and plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.
  35. Education: Primary education (grades 1 to 5) is free in Bangladesh, and the country has significantly improved its education system, increasing the rate of literacy over the years.
  36. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST): This was the first university in Bangladesh to adopt the American credit system.
  37. Climate: Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate, with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June, and a humid, rainy monsoon season from June to October.
  38. Traditional Dress: The traditional dress for Bangladeshi men is lungi or pajama with a kurta. For women, it is the saree or salwar kameez.
  39. Snake Boat Race: The traditional ‘Nouka Baich’ or snake boat race is a popular event, especially during the monsoon season.
  40. Saint Martin’s Island: This is Bangladesh’s only coral island and is located in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal.
  41. Dhaka: Known as the City of Mosques, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is famous for its rickshaw art and bustling street life.
  42. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Bangladeshi Jamdani, a fine muslin textile, has been included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
  43. Rickshaws: Bangladesh is known for its colorful, hand-pulled rickshaws, which are a common mode of transportation, especially in the cities.
  44. Wetlands: Approximately half of the country’s land surface is categorized as wetlands, providing habitats for numerous species of aquatic plants and animals.
  45. World’s Largest Refugee Camp: The Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, is considered the largest refugee camp in the world, hosting hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
  46. Six Seasons: Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh has six recognized seasons: Grismo (Summer), Barsha (Rainy), Sharat (Autumn), Hemanto (Cool), Sheet (Winter), and Bashonto (Spring).
  47. Dhallywood: The film industry in Bangladesh is often referred to as Dhallywood, a portmanteau of the words Dhaka and Hollywood.
  48. Ethnic Diversity: While the Bengali people make up the majority of the population, there are also many ethnic minority groups in Bangladesh, including the Chakma, Marma, Santal, and Rohingya, each with their own unique cultures and traditions.
  49. Bangladesh Railway: The railway network in Bangladesh is a key part of the country’s transportation infrastructure, with both passenger and freight trains.
  50. Rapid Urbanization: Bangladesh has experienced rapid urbanization. Dhaka, the capital, is one of the fastest-growing mega-cities in the world.