Bangladesh

Bangladesh is slightly smaller than the state of Wisconsin at 55,597 square miles.

CAPITAL: DHAKA

Population

• Bangladesh has a population of over 152 million people.

• Is 8th between Nigeria and Russia

• Language: Bengali

Religion

• Nearly 90 % are Muslim.

• The remaining 10 % are primarily Hindu.

Currency

• Bangladeshi currency is called the taka.

Government

• The parliament (like our Congress) determines the laws in Bangladesh and has 345 seats.

• Seats are filled by representatives that are elected every five years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

President Abdul Hamid

INDEPENDENCE

• British partitioned the Indian subcontinent and created Pakistan

• Pakistan consisted of two regions – West Pakistan and East Pakistan – separated by 1,100 miles of Indian territory.

• East Pakistan seceded from the nation, causing a civil war

INDEPENDENCE

• India joined the conflict on the side of the East Pakistanis.

• In 1971, East Pakistan became the independent nation of Bangladesh.

• Bangladesh had many reasons for separating from Pakistan:

REASONS• Pakistan: mountainous nation with many

ethnic groups; Bangladesh: share the same culture.

• By 1970, East Pakistan paid more taxes than West Pakistan, but the government was dominated by West Pakistanis.

• Flood in 1970 killed more than 300,000 Pakistanis. East Pakistan accused the government of delaying shipments of food and relief supplies to the victims.

Economy

• Agriculture: largest industry: 2/3 of work force.

• Farmers grow rice, tea, jute, wheat, potatoes, and sugar cane.

• Jute- plant used to make thread and fabric.

Textiles

• Third in the world for

textile production, behind China and Turkey.

Water

• Water is a major feature

• Bangladesh is crossed by three major rivers—the Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna—all join together to empty into the Bay of Bengal.

Fertile Soil

• The deposits from the three major rivers contribute to very fertile soil.

Life Along The River

• Live near the rivers in small huts made of whatever materials they can find.

• Some houses are built on stilts so flood water won't destroy the home.

Flooding

• A flood in 1998 covered more than two-thirds of Bangladesh in water.

• 30 million people homeless and over 1000 died