Bangladesh
People's Republic of Bangladesh


Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan.
Map of Bangladesh
Population: 131,269,860 (July 2001 est.)
Capital: Dhaka
Area: total: 144,000 sq km; land: 133,910 sq km; water: 10,090 sq km (slightly smaller than Wisconsin)
Government: parliamentary democracy; federal republic; led by Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 13 July 1996)
Languages: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims
Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%
Economy: GDP - purchasing power parity US$203 billion (2000 est.); GDP (real growth rate) 5.3% (2000 est.); GDP per capita - purchasing power parity US$1,570 (2000 est.)
Import partners: India 12.2%, Singapore 7.8%, Japan 6.7%, China 6.4%, US 5.3% (1999)
Export partners: US 31.2%, Germany 9.95%, UK 8.06%, France 5.82%, Italy 4.42% (1999)

Source: CIA World Factbook (2001)