Bangladesh Introduction

Introduction

Reading the world's press you could be forgiven for thinking that Bangladesh is a disaster zone rather than a travel destination. But hiding behind these images of cyclones and floods is a strikingly lush and beautiful land with a rich history and a variety of attractions unusual for a country this size. For a start, you can visit archaelogical sites dating back over 2000 years; check out the longest beach and the largest littoral mangrove forest in the world; and see decaying 'Gone With The Wind' mansions of 19th-century maharajas.

Despite being the world's most crowded country, rural Bangladesh feels relaxed, spacious and friendly: travellers from India have been agreeably surprised to find border officials offering them cups of tea rather than reams of forms to fill in. Facilities are limited but if you have an independent streak, it's definitely worth avoiding the crowds heading to India and Nepal and following the old slogan of Bangladesh's tourist body: 'Come to Bangladesh before the tourists'.

Destination Facts

• Full country name: People's Republic of Bangladesh-
• Area: 143,998 sq km (55,598 sq mi)
• Population: 129 million
• Capital city: Dhaka (pop: 8.5 million)
• People: 98% Bengali, 250,000 Bihari, tribals less than 1 million
• Language: Bangla, English
• Religion: 88.3% Islam, 10.5% Hindu, 1.2% other
• Government: Republic
• Prime Minister: Begum Khaleda Zia
• President: Badruddoza Chowdhury
  

Economy Facts

• GDP: US$175.5 billion
• GDP per head: US$1380
• Annual growth: 4%
• Inflation: 7%
  

Major industries: Jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer, rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry
Major trading partners: Western Europe, US, Hong Kong, Japan, India, China, Singapore

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