Bangladesch

Bangladesch (German name for the country officially known as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh) is a South Asian nation located on the Bay of Bengal. Its capital and largest city is Dhaka. The country lies in the fertile delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, and it is mostly low-lying with a monsoon climate, making it prone to flooding and cyclones.

Bangladesh has a population of roughly 170 million people, making it one of the most densely populated nations in the world. The official language is Bengali (Bangla), and Islam is the largest religion, with Hindu, Buddhist and Christian minorities.

History: the region was part of the Bengal area under British rule and later became East Pakistan in 1947 as part of Pakistan. It achieved independence in 1971 after a war of liberation that involved widespread human rights abuses.

Politics: Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy. The president is largely ceremonial, while the prime minister is the head of government. The unicameral Jatiya Sangsad is elected by popular vote, and multiple parties participate in elections.

Economy: garment manufacturing is the major export sector; agriculture remains important, with rice and jute. Services and remittances contribute to growth, while the country faces development challenges such as poverty, climate vulnerability and infrastructure needs.

Culture: there is a rich literary and musical heritage, with figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. The language movement of 1952 is a landmark, and International Mother Language Day is observed to honor linguistic diversity. Notable sites include the Sundarbans mangrove forest and Cox’s Bazar beach.

International affiliations: Bangladesh is a member of SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Commonwealth, and the Non-Aligned Movement.