Guide Note:

Dhaka, a city of nearly 12 million people located on the banks of the Buriganga River, is the capital of the nation of Bangladesh.

Fast Facts

1. Principal city in the Dhaka District
2. Mayor: Sadeque Hossain Khoka
3. Population: 11 million
4. Founded during the 7th Century
5. Major traffic congestion problems

Founded in the 7th century, Dhaka grew significantly during British rule in the 19th century until it was the second largest city in India after Calcutta. After the partition of India following the end of British rule, Dhaka became the capital of East Pakistan, and in 1971, the capital of Bangladesh. The climate of Dhaka is hot, wet, and humid, with an average annual temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The city, lying on the banks of the Buriganga, is prone to severe flooding. In 1970, a tropical cyclone slammed into Bangladesh, killing 500,000 people and flooding half of the city. The perceived lack of response to the cyclone from West Pakistan caused protests throughout Dhaka and the rest of East Pakistan that, by December 1971, resulted in independence and the creation of Bangladesh. The dominant religion of Bangladesh, and of Dhaka, is Islam, with most adherents following Sunni Islam.