ECONOMY

The economy is characterized by a large subsistence agricultural sector, which has been steady growth in the recent years the coutry is nearly self-sufficient in food production and a small but modern industrial sector. The total cultivable area is around 24 million acres which is tilled by a little more than 15 million cultivators. Major agricultural products are rice, jute (the golden fiber), wheat, potato, pulses, sugarcane, tea, onion, garlic, ginger, tobacco etc. Tea, leather, ready made garments, frozen shrimp, jute and jute product are major foreign exchange earners. Export of handicrafts and nontraditional items has picked up Remittances from Bangladeshis expatriates working are abroad have also contributed significantly towards foreign exchange earnings.

CLIMATE & SEASONS

The climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from a daytime low of 17ēC in the cold season to a maximum of 40ēC in the summer. Annual rain fall ranges from 160cm to 200cm in the west, 200cm to 400cm in the south-east and 250cm to 400 cm in the north-east mainly in the monsoon. The country has mainly four seasons, the Winter (Dec-Feb), Summer (Mar-May, Monsoon (Jun-Sept.) and Autumn (Oct-Nov). The winter is the most pleasant season when average maximum and minimum temperatures are 26.5ēC. Winter is followed by a trief Spring season and then the long , hot summer sets in. The arrival of the monsoon in june lowers temperatures and providesrelief from the heat.

DEMOGRAPHY

Bangladesh has a population of 130 million making it the most densely populated country in the world. Close to 85% of the population live in rural areas. The density of population is about 900 per squre kilometer. There are about 2 million ethnic people belonging to 23 times in Bangladesh. They live mostly in Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarbans and in parts of northern districts. The tribes have exotic distinct cultures of their own.

LANGUAGE

The state language and mother tongue is Bangla, although English is widely spoken and understood. With the expensive of job market overseas and increasing trade links with other countries facilities for learning other language, such as Franch,German, Spanish, Chinese are steadils expanding.

GOVERNMENT

The country is officially known as The People's Republic of Bangladesh and has a parliamentary form of Government. The President is the head of the state. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister. The country is divided into 6(six) divisions namely Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Barisal, Sylhet and Khulna. There are 64 districts, 464 Thanas (Police Stations) and 85,650 villages under the six divisions.

LEGISLATURE

Bangladesh has a 300 seat parliament called Jatiya Sangsad. All members of Jatiya Sangsad are directly elected by popular franchise. They are known as MPs. 

RELIGION

Bangladesh is a land of religious freedom and tolerance. People of all castes and creeds live here in a perfect harmony. Approximate percentage of population on the basis of religion is : Muslims - 88%, Hindus - 10%, Christians and others 2%.