BANGLADESH AT A GLANCE

Geographical Location
Bangladesh stretches between 20.34 and 26.38 north latitude & 88.01 and 92.41 east longitude. Area 143,998 square kilometers. Landmass generally plain & fertile with exception of hilly areas in the north eastern side. On the south it is surrounded by the Bay or Bengal. India, Nepal & Bhutan are its neighboring countries.

Climate
It lies in tropical belt having the variation of temperature varying from 10 C to 35 between summer & winter. Annual rainfall average 78.8 inches. Winter is normally cold but summer is hot & humid. October to February is pleasant months. Time: 06 hrs ahead of G.M.T

Population
150 million. About 86% of the population is Muslim. It is the second Largest Muslim country in the World. Hindu, Christian and Buddhist and a small segment of tribal people constitute the minority groups. The Constitution of the country guarantees equal rights for each citizen irrespective of cast, creed & religion.

Language
Bengali is the State language. English is widely used both for written & spoken . Arabic in read in almost every house of the Muslims.

Capaital
DHAKA witu an area of 815.85 square kilometers and a population of more than 10 million is the capital of Bangladesh. The area of the capital is expanding very fast with high rise building and modern road network.

Major Cities & Ports
Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi , Sylhet & Barisal are the major cities of Bangladesh, There are two sea ports in Bangladesh that is located at Chittagong & Mongla. Dhaka is connected with the rest of the world with almost all major airlines of the globe. Probashi internat ional Ltd. Air Port at Dhaka, Shah Amanat
International Airport at Chittagong and Osmani International Airport at Sylhet connect Bangladesh with the outside world. Besides, there is a wide network of domestic Air Ports connecting the major cities by national Air Lines and private Air Lines as well.

Credit Cards
All Internationally recognized credit cards are accepted by Hotels. Departmental stores, shopping malls & prominent commercial establishments.

Visa
A valid visa is required to enter into Bangladesh. The nearest Bangladesh Missions abroad usually issue visas liberally to the visiting personalities of friendly & brotherly countries.

Currency
The currency unit of Bangladesh is the Taka(1=1OOpaisa) . Currency notes are available in denomi nations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100 & 500. The exchange rates approximately Tk.69 per US Dollar