The Republic of Bangladesh is a nation in South Asia, located on the Bay of Bengal and bordering the nations of India and Burma (Myanmar).

1. Capital: Dhaka
2. Government: Parliamentary Republic
3. Population: 150,448,340
4. Currency: Taka
5. Exchange Rate
6. Official Language: Bengali

Modern-day Bangladesh was formed in 1971 after achieving its independence from Pakistan. After the end of British rule in India in 1947, the largely Islamic northeastern and northwestern sections of India split off to become a united Pakistan. In the northeast, the state of Bengal was split along religious lines to become West Bengal and, eventually, East Pakistan. However, the two sections of Pakistan were separated by approximately 1000 miles and East Pakistan always felt discriminated against by its western half. In 1971, India and East Pakistan united in a war against West Pakistan and it was then that the region was renamed Bangladesh and achieved independence.

Bangladesh is one of the wettest and poorest nations in the world, and a large portion of the nation consists of a massive delta formed by the confluence of three rivers, one of them being the Ganges. Most Bangladeshis live less than 50 feet above sea level, and the highest point in the 55,000+ square mile country is only 3,451 feet high. Bangladesh experiences an often strong monsoon season which can cause widespread flooding. In 1988 massive floods hit Bangladesh, inundating two-thirds of the country.

Google Maps: Bangladesh Map

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