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Bangladesh
*** Shopping-Tip: Bangladesh
{{Infobox Country|
native_name = গনপ�রজাতন�ত�রী বাংলাদেশ ''Gôno Projatontri Bangladesh'' |
conventional_long_name = People's Republic of Bangladesh |
common_name = Bangladesh |
image_flag = Flag of Bangladesh.svg |
image_coat = Bangladesh coa.png |
national_motto = none |
national_anthem = Amar Shonar Bangla(My Golden Bengal) |
image_map = LocationBangladesh.png |
official_languages = Bengali language Bangla (Bengali) |
capital = Dhaka |
latd = 23|latm=42|latNS=N|longd=90|longm=22|longEW=E |
government_type = Parliamentary system Parliamentary Republic |
leader_titles = President of Bangladesh PresidentPrime Minister of Bangladesh Prime Minister |
leader_names = Iajuddin AhmedKhaleda Zia |
largest_city = Dhaka |
area = 144,000 |
areami² = 55,598 |
area_rank = 91st |
area_magnitude = |
percent_water = 7.0% |
population_estimate = 144,319,628 |
population_estimate_year = 2005 |
population_estimate_rank = 7th |
population_census = |
population_census_year = |
population_density = 1,002 |
population_densitymi² = 2,595 |
population_density_rank = 6th |
GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |
GDP_PPP = $280 1 E9 billion |
GDP_PPP_rank = 32nd |
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $1875 |
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 151st |
HDI_year = 2003 |
HDI = 0.520 |
HDI_rank = 139th |
HDI_category = medium |
sovereignty_type = Independence of Bangladesh Independence |
established_events = - Declared - Victory Day (Bangladesh) Victory Day |
established_dates = From Pakistan26 March, 197116 December, 1971 |
currency = Taka |
currency_code = BDT |
time_zone = BDT |
utc_offset = +6 |
time_zone_DST = not observed |
utc_offset_DST = +6|
cctld = .bd |
calling_code = 880 - Bangladesh Calling SubCodes SubCodes|
nationality = Bangladeshi |
footnotes = |
}}
The '''People's Republic of Bangladesh''' is a South Asian country bordering India, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal. Together with the West Bengal State of India, it comprises the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. The name ''Bangladesh'' is written as বাংলাদেশ and pronounced {{IPA2|'baŋlad̪eʃ}}. It means "Country of Bengal", but the word ''Bangla'' (Bengal) has obscure origins.
The borders of Bangladesh were set by the partition of India in 1947, when it became the eastern wing of Pakistan, separated from the western wing by 1,600 kilometre km (1,000 miles). Despite their common religion, the ethnic and linguistic gulf between the two wings was compounded by the Government's, often from West Pakistan, neglect and persecution. This resulted in the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, after a bloody Bangladesh Liberation War war supported by India. The years following independence have been marked by political turmoil, with 13 different heads of government (of which two were assassinated), and at least four Military coups in Bangladesh coups. The last two political transitions were lawful.
Bangladesh's population ranks List of countries by population 8th in the world, but its area is ranked 93rd, which is approximately 144,000 sq km. It is 3rd among Muslim-majority nations, though it has a slightly smaller Muslim population than the Muslim minority in India. It is the List of countries by population density most densely populated country larger than 700 km² in the world. Geographically dominated by the fertile Ganges Delta Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta, the country has annual monsoon floods, and cyclones are also common. Bangladesh is one of the founding members of SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), BIMSTEC, and a member of the OIC and the D-8.
History
{{main|History of Bangladesh}}
Image:Shaheed minar Roehl.jpg Language Movement.html" title="Meaning of right right|thumb|220px|The ''Shahid Minar'', which commemorates the [[Language Movement, is one of Bangladesh's most well known landmarks.html" title="Meaning of thumb|220px|The ''Shahid Minar'', which commemorates the [[Language Movement">right|thumb|220px|The ''Shahid Minar'', which commemorates the [[Language Movement, is one of Bangladesh's most well known landmarks">thumb|220px|The ''Shahid Minar'', which commemorates the [[Language Movement">right|thumb|220px|The ''Shahid Minar'', which commemorates the [[Language Movement, is one of Bangladesh's most well known landmarks
Remnants of civilization in the greater Bengal region date back four millennia [Dravidian people {{Harv|Xinhua|2006}}] when the region was settled by {{Harv|Xinhua|2006}} when the region was settled by Dravidians and Tibeto-Burman languages Tibeto-Burmans. It mostly fractured into unaffiliated units, ruled by various foreign and domestic kingdoms and empires. After the arrival of Indo-Aryans, Bengal was ruled by the Gupta Empire from the fourth to the sixth centuries Common Era CE. Then, a dynamic Bengali, Shashanka founded an impressive but short-lived kingdom. After a period of anarchy, the Buddhist Pala dynasty ruled the region for four hundred years, followed by a shorter reign of the Hindu Sena dynasty. Islam was introduced to Bengal in the twelfth century by Sufi missionaries, and subsequent Muslim conquests helped spread Islam throughout the region. [{{Harv.html">Bakhtiyar Khalji Bakhtiar Khilji, a Turkish general, defeated Lakshman Sen of the Sena dynasty and conquered large parts of Bengal.][{{Harv|Eaton|1996}}] The region was ruled by dynasties of Sultans and feudal lords for the next few hundred years. By the sixteenth century, the Mughal empire controlled Bengal and Dhaka became an important provincial center of Mughal administration as the seat of the Nawab.
European traders arrived late in the fifteenth century and their influence grew till the British East India Company gained control of Bengal following the Battle of Plassey in 1757.[{{Harv.html">Sepoy Mutiny resulted in transfer of authority to the _The bloody rebellion of 1857 known as the British Crown crown.html" title="Meaning of 1976}}]_The bloody rebellion of 1857 known as the crown">crown, with a British viceroy running the administration.[{{Harv.html">Partition of Bengal (1905) {{Harv|Padmanabhan|1973}}][{{Harv|Sen|1973}}] Between 1905 and 1911, an {{Harv|Padmanabhan|1973}}[{{Harv|Sen|1973}}] Between 1905 and 1911, an abortive attempt was made to divide the province of Bengal into two zones, with Dhaka being the capital of the eastern zone. [{{Harv.html">Partition of Bengal (1947) partitioned along religious lines, the West Bengal western part going to India, while the eastern part joined Pakistan as a province called East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan), with its capital in Dhaka. In 1950, land reform was accomplished in East Bengal through the abolition of the feudal zamindari system.][{{Harv.html">Language Movement of 1952 was the first sign of friction between the two wings of Pakistan.][{{Harv Rahman|1997}}] Dissatisfaction with the central government over economic and cultural issues continued to rise through the next decade, during which Awami League emerged as the political mouthpiece of the Bengali population. It agitated for Six point movement autonomy in the sixties, and in 1966, its president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was jailed, released later after unprecedented popular uprising in 1969.
In 1970, a massive 1970 Bhola cyclone cyclone devastated coastal East Pakistan, and the central government responded poorly. The anger was compounded when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose Awami League won a majority in Parliament in the 1970 elections,[{{Harv.html">Yahya Khan arrested him and on March 25,1971 launched Operation Searchlight,][{{Harv Salik|1978}}] a sustained military assault on East Pakistan. Yahya's methods were extremely bloody, and the violence of the war resulted in large scale civilian deaths.[[http://www.gendercide.org/case_bangladesh.html Genocide in Bangladesh, 1971], from Gendercide Watch] Chief targets included intellectuals and Hindus. Ten million refugees fled to neighbouring India. Estimates of those massacred range from several hundred thousand to 3 million.[{{Harv.html">Kolkata, India. The Bangladesh Liberation War lasted for 9 months. The VirtualBangladesh.com, [http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/history/holocaust.html The Bangladeshi holocaust]] Most of the Awami League leaders fled and set up a government-in-exile in VirtualBangladesh.com, [http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/history/holocaust.html The Bangladeshi holocaust] Most of the Awami League leaders fled and set up a government-in-exile in guerrilla.html">guerrilla_warfare|guerrilla Mukti Bahini and Bengali regulars eventually received support from the Indian Armed Forces in December 1971. Under the command of Jagjit Singh Aurora Lt. General J.S. Arora, the Indian army achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan, taking over 90,000 prisoners of war[{{Harv|Burke|1973}}] in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Image:Map Bangladesh RoadRail.png thumb|right|220px|Bangladesh - also showing road and rail links.
After independence, Bangladesh became a parliamentary democracy, with Mujib as the Prime Minister. In the 1973 parliamentary elections, Awami League gained an absolute majority. A nationwide famine occurred during 1973 and 1974.[Sen, A. (1973). ''Poverty and Famines'', Oxford University Press, USA] In early 1975, Mujib initiated one party socialist rule with his newly formed BAKSAL, instituting strict government control over press and industry. On August 15, 1975, Mujib and his family were assassinated by mid-level military officers.[{{Harv.html">Ziaur Rahman. He removed secularism and socialism as the basic principles of the Constitution of Bangladesh _A series of bloody coups and counter-coups in the following three months culminated in the ascent to power of General constitution.html" title="Meaning of 1986}}] A series of bloody coups and counter-coups in the following three months culminated in the ascent to power of General _A series of bloody coups and counter-coups in the following three months culminated in the ascent to power of General constitution">constitution, replacing them with "absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah" and "Social justice".[''Proclamations order No. 1, 1977''. See [http://www.pmo.gov.bd/constitution/part2.htm]] Zia retained a presidential system but reinstated multi-party politics. He founded Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which won the 1979 election.[{{Harv|Khan|Zafarullah|1979}}] Zia's rule ended when he was assassinated in 1981 by elements of the military.[{{Harv|Mascarenhas|1986}}] Bangladesh's next major ruler was General Hossain Mohammad Ershad who gained power in a bloodless coup in 1982. He made Islam the state religion. Ershad ruled from 1982 until 1990, when he was ousted in a popular uprising. Since then, Bangladesh has reverted to parliamentary democracy. Zia's widow Khaleda Zia led the BNP to parliamentary victories in 1991 and 2001 and was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001. She maintains a bitter rivalry with one of Mujib's surviving daughters Sheikh Hasina who heads the Awami League and was in power from 1996 to 2001. In spite of widespread poverty and corruption, Bangladesh remains a democracy to date.
Government and politics
{{main articles|Government of Bangladesh, List of political parties in Bangladesh}}
{{National symbols of Bangladesh}}
Image:Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban (Roehl).jpg Jatiyo_Sangshad Bhaban.html" title="Meaning of right right|thumb|220px|[[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban houses the Parliament of Bangladesh.html" title="Meaning of thumb|220px|[[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban">right|thumb|220px|[[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban houses the Parliament of Bangladesh">thumb|220px|[[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban">right|thumb|220px|[[Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban houses the Parliament of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy. The President of Bangladesh President is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post. The real power is held by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Prime Minister, who is head of government. The president is elected by the legislature every five years and has normally limited powers that are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government, mainly in controlling the transition to a new government. Bangladesh has instituted a unique system of transfer of power; at the end of the tenure of the government, power is handed over to members of Caretaker civil society for three months, who run the general elections and transfer the power to elected representatives. This system was adopted to the constitution in 1996.[ ''13th Amendment'', Constitution of Bangladesh, 1996. ]
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh prime minister is ceremonially appointed by the president and must be a member of parliament (MP) commanding the confidence of the majority of the MPs. The cabinet is composed of ministers selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president. The unicameral parliament is the 300-member House of the Nation or Jatiyo Sangshad, elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies for five-year terms of office. There used to be 30 special seats reserved for women, who were elected by the 300 regular members of the parliament. This transitory provision is no longer in place, and no new provision has been enacted. There is universal suffrage, citizens attaining the right to vote at age 18.
The Constitution of Bangladesh was written in 1972 and has undergone thirteen amendments.[{{Harv|Ahmed|2003}}] The highest judiciary body is the Supreme Court, whose chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president. The judiciary is not separate from the administration, which has caused much commotion in recent years. Laws are loosely based on English common law, but family laws (regarding marriage, inheritance, etc.) are based on religious scripts, and hence differ from one religious community to another.
Image:Bangladesh divisions english.png thumb|220px|The six administrative divisions of Bangladesh
The two major parties in Bangladesh are Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awami League. BNP finds its allies among Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and Islami Oikya Jot, while Awami League aligns with leftist and secularist parties. Another important player is the Jatiya Party, headed by the former military ruler Ershad. Awami League-BNP rivalry has been bitter and punctuated by protests, violence and murder. Student politics is particularly strong in Bangladesh, a legacy from the liberation movement era. Almost all parties have highly active student wings, and students have even been elected to the Parliament.
Two radical Islamist parties, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) and Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), were banned in February 2005. Since then, a series of bomb attacks have been blamed on those groups, and hundreds of their suspected members have been detained in numerous security operations. The first recorded case of a suicide bomb attack in Bangladesh took place in November 2005.
Subdivisions
{{main|Divisions of Bangladesh}}
Bangladesh is divided into six administrative divisions,[CIA World Fact Book, 2005. See [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/fields/2051.html]] all named after their respective divisional headquarters: Barisal division Barisal (বরিশাল), Chittagong division Chittagong (চট�টগ�রাম), Dhaka division Dhaka (ঢাকা), Khulna division Khulna (খ�লনা), Rajshahi division Rajshahi (রাজশাহী), and Sylhet division Sylhet (সিেলট).
The next administrative unit is a district or ''zila'' (জিলা in Bengali language Bangla). There are 64 districts in Bangladesh, each district further subdivided into ''thana'' or Police stations (formerly called upa-zila or sub-districts). Each police station, except for those in metropolitan areas, is divided into several unions (each consists of multiple villages). In the metropolitan areas, this unit is called a ward, further divided into ''mahallas''. There are no elected officials at divisional, district or ''thana'' levels, and the administration is composed only of government officials. Direct elections are held for each union (or ward), electing a chairperson and a number of members. In 1997, a parliamentary act was passed to reserve 3 seats (out of 12) for female candidates in every union.[''Local Government Act'', No. 20, 1997. ]
Dhaka is the country's capital and largest city. Other major cities include Barisal, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet. These metropolitan cities have mayoral elections, while other municipalities elect a chairperson (both elections are held every five years).
Geography and climate
{{main|Geography of Bangladesh}}
Image:Kaptai_lake01.jpg Karnaphuli River.html" title="Meaning of right right|220px|thumb|Kaptai Lake on [[Karnaphuli River in Rangamati District.html" title="Meaning of 220px|thumb|Kaptai Lake on [[Karnaphuli River">right|220px|thumb|Kaptai Lake on [[Karnaphuli River in Rangamati District">220px|thumb|Kaptai Lake on [[Karnaphuli River">right|220px|thumb|Kaptai Lake on [[Karnaphuli River in Rangamati District
Image:Satellite image of Bangladesh in October 2001.jpg thumb|220px|right|Satellite image of Bangladesh's physical features
Bangladesh is located on the Indian subcontinent, mainly comprising the low-lying Ganges Delta or Ganges-Brahmaputra River Delta. This delta, the largest in the world, is formed by the confluence of the Ganges (local name ''Padma'' or ''Pôdda''), Brahmaputra (''Jomuna''), and Meghna rivers and their tributaries as they flow down from the Himalaya, Tibet and Assam, respectively. Bangladesh's alluvial soil is highly fertile but vulnerable to flood and drought. Hills rise above the plain only in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (highest point: in the Mowdok range at 1,052 metre m (3,451 foot (unit of length) ft), N 21°47'12" E 92°36'36") in the far southeast and the Sylhet division in the northeast.
Most parts of Bangladesh are less than 10 meters above sea level, and it is believed that about 10% of the land would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 meter.[{{Harv|Ali|1996}}] A major part of the coastline comprises a marshy jungle known as the Sundarbans, which is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including the (Royal) Bengal Tiger. This region is endangered and half the size it was 150 years ago with substantial reduction in diversity.[{{Harv|IUCN|1997}}]
Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, the Bangladeshi climate is Tropics tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June, and a humid, warm rainy monsoon from June to October. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores affect the country almost every year, combined with the effects of deforestation, soil degradation and erosion. Cox's Bazar, south of the city of Chittagong, has a beach that stretches uninterrupted over 120 kilometres (75 mile mi); it is one of the world's longest unbroken natural sea beaches.
Economy
{{main|Economy of Bangladesh}}
Image:Coxs_beach.jpg Cox's Bazar District thumb|right|220px|The beach at [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar is a favourite destination..html" title="Meaning of Cox's Bazar.html" title="Meaning of thumb|right|220px|The beach at [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar">thumb|right|220px|The beach at [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar is a favourite destination.">Cox's Bazar.html" title="Meaning of thumb|right|220px|The beach at [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar">thumb|right|220px|The beach at [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar is a favourite destination.
Image:Cox's Bazaar Fishermen.jpg thumb|right|220px|Fishermen near Cox's Bazar in southern Bangladesh.
Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains an underdeveloped, overpopulation overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. The par capita income in 2004 was a low 440 USD, and many other economic indicators were less than impressive.[[http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/bangladesh_bangladesh_statistics.html Bangladesh Country Statistics], Unicef] Yet, as the World Bank notes in its July 2005 Country Brief, the country has made impressive progress in human development by focusing on increasing literacy, achieving gender parity in schooling, and reducing population growth.
Jute was once Bangladesh's economic engine. Its share of the world export market peaked in the late 1940s at 80%[{{Harv.html">polypropylene products began to substitute jute products worldwide and the jute industry started to slow down. Bangladesh grows significant quantities of rice, tea and Mustard_plant _and even in the early 1970s accounted for 70% of its export earnings. However, mustard.html" title="Meaning of 2003}}] and even in the early 1970s accounted for 70% of its export earnings. However, _and even in the early 1970s accounted for 70% of its export earnings. However, mustard">mustard. Although two-thirds of Bangladeshis are farmers, nowadays more than three quarters of Bangladesh’s export earnings come from the garment industry,[{{Harv|Roland|2005}}] which began attracting foreign investors in the 1980s due to cheap labor and low conversion cost. In 2002, the industry exported US$5 billion worth of products.[{{Harv|Rahman|2004}}] The industry now employs more than 3 million workers, 90% of whom are women.[{{Harv|Begum|2001}}] A significant part of foreign currency earnings also comes from the remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis living in other countries.
Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, mismanaged port facilities, a growth in the labour force that has outpaced jobs, inefficient use of energy resources (such as natural gas), insufficient power supplies, slow implementation of economic reforms, political infighting and Political corruption corruption. According to the World Bank's Country Brief updated July 2005: "Among Bangladesh’s most significant obstacles to growth are poor governance and weak public institutions."[[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/BANGLADESHEXTN/0,,menuPK:295769~pagePK:141132~piPK:141107~theSitePK:295760,00.html Bangladesh - Country Brief], World Bank, July 2005]
In spite of the hurdles, since 1990 the country has achieved an average annual growth rate of 5% according to the World Bank. The middle class and the consumer industry have seen some growth. In December 2005, four years after its report on the emerging "BRIC" economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and People's Republic of China China), Goldman Sachs named Bangladesh one of the "Next Eleven,"[ [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000177&sid=aoJ4WG5LSf1s&refer=market_insight South Korea, Another `BRIC' in Global Wall]] along with Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam. Bangladesh has seen a sharp increase in foreign direct investment. A number of multinational corporations, including Unocal and Tata, have made significant investments, with the natural gas sector a priority. In December 2005, the Central Bank of Bangladesh projected GDP growth around 6.5%.[[http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/pub/annual/anreport/annual.html Annual Report 2004-2005, Bangladesh Bank]]
One significant contributor to the development of the economy has been the widespread propagation of Microcredit microcredit by Muhammad Yunus through the Grameen Bank. By the late 1990's Grameen Bank had 2.3 million members, with a further 2.5 million members of other similar organizations.[{{Harv|Schreiner|2003}}]
Demographics
{{main|Demographics of Bangladesh}}
Image:Dhaka-panorama.jpg thumb|right|250px|Dhaka is one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
Bangladesh has a population of 146 million,[[http://www.who.int/whr/2005/en/ World Health Report 2005], World Health Organization.] making it the 8th most populous country in the world. Bangladesh is the one of the List of countries by population density most densely populated countries in the world with about 1,000 persons per square kilometre (2,585/sq. mi). In the mid-1980's, the government promoted birth control, which helped to reduce the population growth rate to about 2.2%.[[http://www.who.int/whr/2005/en/ World Health Report 2005], World Health Organization.] However, most of the people are relatively young (the 0–25 age group represents 60 percent of the total population and only 3 percent is 65 or older). Life expectancy rate is 63 years for both males and females, the healthy life expectancy is 53 years.[[http://www.who.int/whr/2005/en/ World Health Report 2005], World Health Organization.]
Bangladesh is ethnically homogeneous, with Bengalis comprising 98% of the population. The remainder are mostly Bihari migrants and indigenous tribal groups. There are 13 tribal groups located in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the most populous of the tribes are the Chakmas. The region has been a source for ethnic tension since the inception of Bangladesh.[{{Harv.html">Santal Santhals_and the Garo (tribe) Garos (Achiks). The main language, as in West Bengal, is Bangla (Bengali), an Indo-Aryan languages Indo-Aryan language of Sanskrit origin (like Hindi, Punjabi, and Gujarati language Gujarati and others). The language is written in its own Bengali script. Bangla is the official language of Bangladesh, but English language English is used as a second language among the middle and upper classes, often for official tasks and in higher education. The two major religions practised in Bangladesh are Islam (83% CIA est. 1998, 88% US State Department est. 2005) and Hinduism (16% CIA est. 1998, 11% US State Dept. 2005). The ethnic Biharis are predominantly Shia Muslims. There are also some Buddhism in Bangladesh Buddhists, Christianity Christians, and animism Animists.
Health and education levels have improved steadily and poverty levels have gone down. Nevertheless, Bangladesh remains among the poorest nations in the world. Most Bangladeshis are rural, living on subsistence farming. Nearly half of the population lives on less than 1 USD per day.][[http://www.usaid.gov/policy/budget/cbj2005/ane/bd.html Congressional Budget Justification - FY 2005], USAID] Health problems abound, ranging from surface water contamination, to arsenic in the ground water,[{{Harv|Nickson|McArthur|Burgess|1998}}] and diseases including malaria, leptospirosis and dengue. Literacy rates are 54% among men and 32% among women.
Culture
{{main articles|Culture of Bangladesh, Public holidays in Bangladesh}}
Image:BanglaNak1.jpg thumb|right|250px|Intricate design in a ''Nakshikatha'', a traditional stitched quilt
Image:Bagerhat01.jpg Khan Jahan Ali.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|right|250px|Bagerhat Shat Gambuj Masjid (60 dome mosque), built by [[Khan Jahan Ali.html" title="Meaning of right|250px|Bagerhat Shat Gambuj Masjid (60 dome mosque), built by [[Khan Jahan Ali">thumb|right|250px|Bagerhat Shat Gambuj Masjid (60 dome mosque), built by [[Khan Jahan Ali">right|250px|Bagerhat Shat Gambuj Masjid (60 dome mosque), built by [[Khan Jahan Ali">thumb|right|250px|Bagerhat Shat Gambuj Masjid (60 dome mosque), built by [[Khan Jahan Ali
A new state for an old nation, Bangladesh has a culture that encompasses elements both old and new. The Bangla language boasts a rich literary heritage, which Bangladesh shares with West Bengal. The first literary text in Bangla is the eighth century Charyapada. Bangla literature in the medieval age was often either religious (e.g. Chandidas), or adaptations from other languages (e.g. Alaol). Bangla literature matured in the nineteenth century. Its greatest icons are Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Bangladesh also has a long tradition in folk literature, evidenced by ''Maimansingha gitika Môemonshingha gitika'', ''Ţhakurmar Jhuli'' or stories related to ''Gopal Bhar''.
The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyrics-based (''Baniprodhan''), with minimal instrumental accompaniment. The Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bangla folk music, and there are numerous other musical traditions in Bangladesh, which vary from one region to the other. Gombhira Gambhira, Bhatiali, Bhawaiya are a few of the better-known musical forms. Folk music of Bengal is often accompanied by the ektara êktara, an instrument with only one string. Other instruments include the dotara, dhol đhol, flute, and tabla. Bangladesh also has an active heritage in Indian classical music North Indian classical music. Similarly, Bangladeshi dance forms draw from folk traditions, especially those of the tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian dance tradition. Bangladesh produces about 60 films a year. Bollywood-made cinema is also quite popular, as are films from Kolkata, in West Bengal, which has its own thriving Bengali-language movie industry. Around 200 dailies are published in Bangladesh, along with more than 1800 periodicals. However, regular readership is low, nearly about 15% of the population.[{{Harv|Ahmed|Rahman|2003}}] Bangladeshis listen to a variety of local and national radio programmes, as well as Bangla services from BBC and VOA. There is a state controlled television channel, but in the last few years, privately owned channels have grown considerably.
The culinary tradition of Bangladesh has close relation to Indian cuisine Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine as well as having many distinctive traits. Rice and fish are traditional favourites; leading to a common saying that "rice and fish make a Bengali" (''machhe bhate bangali''). Consumption of meat has increased with higher production in recent years. Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats made from milk products, common ones are ''Rasgulla Rashogolla'', ''Chomchom'' and ''Kalojaam''. Sari is by far the most widely worn dress by Bangladeshi women. However, Salwar kameez is also quite popular, and in urban areas one finds the occasional young girl in trousers and a shirt. Among men, European dressing has greater acceptance. Men also use the Kurta-Pajama combination, often on religious occasions. Lungi is widely used in rural areas and often the only kind of dress a man wears, but in urban areas it is used as an informal dress.
The two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are the greatest festivals in the Islamic calendar. The day before each Eid in called ''Chand Raat'' (The night of the moon), and is often marked by firecrackers. Other Muslim holidays are also observed. Hindus celebrate a number of festivals, most important of them are Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja. Buddha Purnima, which marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, is one of the most important Buddhists festivals while Christians celebrate Christmas, called ''Boro din'' (Great day) in Bangla. The most important secular festival is ''Nobobarsha'' or ''New year'', the beginning of the Bengali calendar. Other festivities include Nobanno, ''Poush parbon'' (festival of Poush) and observance of the national days, for example Language movement Shahid dibosh.
Sports
{{main|Sports in Bangladesh}}
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh cricket team was granted test cricket status and joined the elite league of national teams permitted by the International Cricket Council to play test cricket test matches in 2000. Other popular sports include football, field hockey, tennis, badminton, handball, kabadi, volleyball, chess, and carom. Kabadi (কাবাডি), a 7-a-side team-sport played without a ball or any other equipment, is the national game of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Sports Control Board regulates 29 different sporting federations (as of 2005). BKSP (Bangladesh Krira Shiksha Pratisthan) is the premier sports institute of the country.
On the international stage, Bangladesh has had its most noteworthy successes in cricket and chess. Bangladesh has participated in two cricket World Cups in 1999 and 2003. In 2005, Bangladesh won its first 5-day test match against Zimbabwe and defeated Australia, the 2003 2003 Cricket World Cup world champion, in a one-day international one-day match in one of the biggest upsets in cricket history. Other noteworthy victories include the one-day victories over Pakistan (World Cup 1999), India (December 2004) and Sri Lanka (February 2006). In chess, Bangladesh has had two International Grandmaster Grandmasters: Niaz Morshed and more recently Ziaur Rahman. Players from Bangladesh have won gold medals in shooting in the Commonwealth Games.
Education
Image:BUET EME Building.jpg right|thumb|250px|A view of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Building at BUET
{{main|Education in Bangladesh}}
The literacy rate in Bangladesh is approximately 41%.[[http://hdr.undp.org/statistics/data/countries.cfm?c=BGD Human Development Report], UNDP, 2005] Education is highly subsidised by the Government, which operates many schools and colleges at the primary school primary, secondary school secondary and higher secondary level as well as many public universities. To increase the literacy level, many innovative programs have been introduced in the country. Among the most successful ones are ''Food for education'' (FFE) program introduced in 1993.[{{Harv|Ahmed|del Nino|2002}}] To promote literacy among women, a stipend program for women till the higher secondary level was instituted in 1994.[{{Harv|Khandker|Pitt|Fuwa|2003}}] Administratively, the country is divided into seven education boards (Barisal, Chittagong, Comilla, Dhaka, Jessore, Rajshahi and Sylhet Education Boards) which oversee education from the primary to the higher secondary level, and conduct the SSC Secondary School Certificate and HSC Higher Secondary Certificate examinations.
Higher education is also subsidised by the government, and most of the students seeking college education are enrolled in a public institution. Dhaka University is the largest and oldest university in Bangladesh. The National University regulates all public colleges in the country; a student at a public college receives a degree from the National University. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), located in Dhaka, is the leading institution for technology in the country. There are newer universities in Chittagong, Gazipur, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet that also provide engineering education. Public education in medical sciences is provided by Medical Colleges, each regulated by a public university. Postgraduate education in medical sciences is provided by BSMM University in Dhaka.
Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh is the premier institution for agricultural studies, though other institutes exist as well. There are also a number of polytechnic institutes providing diplomas in specific technologies. Bangladesh also has a leather institute, a textile institute and other specialized education centres. Since the 1990's, higher education has boomed with the introduction of private universities. There are many private universities providing general, engineering and medical education. Notable research institutions include BRRI Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research.
See also
{{BangladeshTopics}}
Notes and Footnotes
{{sisterlinks|Bangladesh}}
{{Portal}}
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References
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* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Ahmed
| Given1 = A
| Surname2 = del Nino
| Given2 = C
| Year = 2002
| Title = The food for education program in Bangladesh: An evaluation of its impact on educational attainment and food security
| Publisher = International Food Policy Research Institute
| Number = FCND DP No. 138
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Ahmed
| Given1 = E
| Year = 2003
| Chapter = Constitutional amendments
| Title = Banglapedia
| URL = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0336.htm
| Publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Ahmed
| Given1 = I
| Surname2 = Timmons
| Given2 = J
| Year = 1971
| Title = Current Land Reforms in East Pakistan
| Journal = Land Economics
| Volume = 47(1)
| Pages = 55-64
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Ahmed
| Given1 = HU
| Surname2 = Rahman
| Given2 = G
| Year = 2003
| Chapter = Newspapers and periodicals
| Title = Banglapedia
| URL = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/N_0169.htm
| Publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Ali
| Given1 = A
| Year = 1996
| Title = Vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change and sea level rise through tropical cyclones and storm surges
| Journal = Water, Air, & Soil Pollution.
| Volume = 92(1-2)
| Pages = 171-179
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Baxter
| Given1 = C
| Year = 1971
| Title = Pakistan Votes -- 1970
| Edition = 18
| Journal = Asian Survey
| Volume = 11(3)
| Pages = 197-218
}}.
*{{Harvard reference
| Surname1=Begum
| Given1 = N
| Chapter=Enforcement of Safety Regulations in Garment sector in Bangladesh
| Title=Proc. Growth of Garment Industry in Bangladesh: Economic and Social dimension
| Year=2001
| Pages=208-226
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Bharadwaj
| Given1 = G
| Editor = Majumdar, RC
| Year = 2003
| Chapter = The Ancient Period
| Title = History of Bengal
| Publisher = B.R. Publishing Corp
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Burke
| Given1 = S
| Year = 1973
| Title = The Postwar Diplomacy of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
| Journal = Asian Survey
| Volume = 13(11)
| Pages = 1036-1049
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Collins
| Given1 = L
| Surname2 = Lapierre
| Given2 = D
| Year = 1986
| Title = Freedom at Midnight
| Edition = 18
| Publisher = Vikas Publishers, New Delhi
| ID = ISBN 0-7069-2770-2
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Eaton
| Given1 = R
| Year = 1996
| Title = The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier
| Edition = Reprint
| Publisher = University of California Press
| ID = ISBN 0-5202-0507-3
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Imam
| Given1 = J
| Year = 1998
| Title = Of Blood and Fire: The Untold Story of Bangladesh's War of Independence
| Edition = 2
| Publisher = Dhaka University Press Ltd
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Mascarenhas
| Given1 = A
| Year = 1986
| Title = Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood
| Publsher = Hodder & Stoughton, London
| ID = ISBN 0-340-39420-X
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Rahman
| Given1 = S
| Year = 2004
| Title = Global Shift: Bangladesh Garment Industry in Perspective
| Journal = Asian Affairs
| Volume = 26(1)
| Pages = 75-91
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Rahman
| Given1 = T
| Year = 1997
| Title = Language and Ethnicity in Pakistan
| Journal = Asian Survey
| Volume = 37(9)
| Pages = 833-839
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Rashid
| Given1 = H
| Year = 1978
| Title = Geography of Bangladesh
| Publisher = Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado.
}}.
{{col-2}}
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Lawford
| Given1 = JP
| Year = 1976
| Title = Britain's Army in India: From its origin to the conquest of Bengal
| Publisher = Allen and Unwin, London
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Majumdar
| Given1 = RC
| Year = 1957
| Title = The sepoy mutiny and the revolt of 1857
| Publisher = Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay, Calcutta
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Riaz
| Given1 = A
| Year = 2005
| Title = Bangladesh in 2004: The Politics of Vengeance and the Erosion of Democracy
| Journal = Asia Survey
| Issue = XLV(Jan/Feb)
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Schreiner
| Given1 = M
| Year = 2003
| Title = A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh,
| Journal = Development Policy Review
| Volume = 21
| Issue = 3
| Pages = 357-382
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Salik
| Given1 = S
| Year = 1978
| Title = Witness to Surrender
| Publisher = Oxford University Press
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Sen
| Given1 = A
| Year = 1973
| Title = Poverty and Famines
| Publisher = Oxford University Press, USA
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Kabir
| Given1 = SM
| Year = 2003
| Chapter = Jute
| Title = Banglapedia
| URL = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/J_0135.HTM
| Publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Johnson
| Given1 = G
| Year = 1973
| Title = Partition, Agitation and Congress: Bengal 1904 to 1908
| Journal = Modern Asian Studies
| Volume = 7(3)
|Pages = 533-588
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Padmanabhan
| Given1 = SY
| Year = 1973
| Title = The Great Bengal Famine
| Journal = Annual Review of Phytopathology,
| Volume = 11
|Pages = 11-24
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Khandker
| Given1 = S
| Surname2 = Pitt
| Given2 = M
| Surname3 = Fuwa
| Given3 = N
| Month = August
| Year = 2003
| Title = Subsidy to Promote Girls’ Secondary Education: the Female Stipend Program in Bangladesh
| Publisher = World Bank, Washington, DC
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Nickson
| Given1 = R
| Surname2 = McArthur
| Given2 = J
| Surname3 = Burgess
| Given3 = W
| Year = 1998
| Title = Arsenic poisoning of Bangladesh groundwater
| Journal = Nature
|Issue = 6700
|Pages = 338
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Rashiduzzaman
| Given1 = M
| Year = 1998
| Title = Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord: Institutional Features and Strategic Concerns
| Journal = Asian Survey
| Volume = 38(7)
|Pages = 653-670
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Khan
| Given1 = MM
| Surname2 = Zafarullah
| Given2 = HM
| Year = 1979
| Title = The 1979 Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh
| Journal = Asian Survey
| Volume = 19(10)
|Pages = 1023-1036
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Author = IUCN
| Surname1 = IUCN
| Year = 1997
| Title = Sundarban wildlife sanctuaries Bangladesh
| Journal = World Heritage Nomination-IUCN Technical Evaluation
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = Roland
| Given1 = B
| Year = 2005
| Title = Bangladesh Garments Aim to Compete
| Publisher = BBC
| URL = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4118969.stm
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Surname1 = White
| Given1 = M
| Month = November
| Year = 2005
| Title = Death Tolls for the Major Wars and Atrocities of the Twentieth Century
| URL = http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat2.htm#Bangladesh
}}.
* {{Harvard reference
| Author = Xinhua
| Surname1 = Xinhua
| Given1 = B
| Month = March
| Year = 2006
| Title = 4000-year old settlement unearthed in Bangladesh
| URL = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/12/content_4293312.htm
}}.
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External links
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;Official
* {{cite web
| title = Bangladesh Government Official Web Page
| url = http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd
| accessdate = March 9
| accessyear = 2006
}}
* {{cite web
| title = Election Commission Secretariat
| url = http://www.bd-ec.org/index.php3
| accessdate = March 9
| accessyear = 2006
}}
* {{cite web
| title = Official parliamentary site
| url = http://www.parliamentofbangladesh.org/indexeng.html
| accessdate = March 9
| accessyear = 2006
}}
* {{cite web
| title = Electronic forms from the Government of Bangladesh
| url = http://www.forms.gov.bd/eng/
| accessdate = March 9
| accessyear = 2006
}}
* {{cite web
| title = National Board of Revenue
| url = http://www.nbr-bd.org
| accessdate = March 9
| accessyear = 2006
}}
* {{cite web
| title = Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB/T&T)
| url = http://www.bttb.gov.bd
| accessdate = March 9
| accessyear = 2006
}}
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