General Information on Bangladesh

• Miscellaneous
• 15th January 2014
• YC

• Language
Bangla is the language spoken in Bangladesh. Many people speak English in Dhaka, but fewer do in the rural areas.

• Hotel
Dhaka has numerous hotels with varying qualities. Many big hotels have affiliations with Yunus Centre and provide special discounts to out interns. Some hotels you may want to considered may be:
- Hotel Grand Prince
- Pan Pacific Sonargaon
- Radisson Blu Hotel
- The Westin; etc.

Note: Please Contact us for further information on Hotel rate discounts.

• Transportation
Dhaka is notorious for its traffic. Rickshaws are used for short distances, at a price of 10 to 50 BDT depending on the trip. CNGs (baby taxis), which are faster motorized vehicles, cost between 100-300BDT depending on the distance traveled, although most trips within the city should not cost you more than 200 BDT. Taxis shouldrange from 300 to 600 BDT within the city of Dhaka.

Bargaining skills are an asset to predetermine the fare, as a meter does not regulate the rates. It is recommended to have a sense of how far you are headed beforehand, particularly because foreigners are charged a higher rate.

• Food
In Dhaka, you can budget food costs at US$ 6-8 per day, although the cost may vary depending on the quality of food and/or restaurant. In rural areas, food costs will be lower, being around US$ 4-7 per day. It is recommended that you refrain from street food while in Bangladesh to avoid health issues. As tap water is not drinkable in Bangladesh, bottled water can be purchased from most stores in both cities and rural areas. A typical Bangladeshi meal may consist of chicken, rice, vegetables, fish, boiled eggs etc. Fresh fruits are abundant in Bangladesh, with varieties such as mangoes, jackfruits, pineapples etc. being sold in markets all over the country, in different seasons.

• Electricity
The electricity is 220 volts A/C, 50 Cycles. Due to low power supply in Bangladesh, both urban and rural areas periodically suffer from power failures.

• Clothing
Bangladesh is a very conservative country, so covering up is important. Long and loose pants are mandatory, and nothing above the knee is acceptable. Long sleeve shirts are recommended, and a shawl is suggested for women.

• History
Bangladesh has a glorious history and a rich heritage. It was once known as ‘Sonar Bangla’ or the ‘Golden Bengal’. The territory now constituting Bangladesh was under Muslim rule for over five and half centuries from 1201 to 1757 AD. Bangladesh came under the British rule following the defeat of the sovereign ruler, NawabSirajuddaula, at the Battle of Palassey in 1757. The British ruled over the Indian sub-continent from 1757 to 1947 and during this period, what is now Bangladesh, was a part of the British Indian provinces of Bengal and Assam. With the termination of the British rule on August 14, 1947, the sub-continent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan and was called ‘East Pakistan’ for about 24 years from August 14, 1947 to March 25, 1971. Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign nation in 16th December 1971, after a nine month long liberation war.

• Culture
Bangladesh is heir to a rich cultural legacy. In over two thousand years of its checkered history, many illustrious dynasties of Kings and Sultans ruled the country and have left their mark in the shape of monuments. Apart from this, the country’s old cultural traditions can be seen in archaeological sites, sculptures, architecture, museums, archives, libraries, classical music, dance, paintings, theater, folk art, festivals, games, as well as various ethnic cultural activities.

Over 85% of the total population is composed of Muslims. Hindus make up 12%, Buddhists less than 1%, Christians less than 1%, while the others represent less than 1% of the total population. A communal harmony among the different religious groups have ensured a very congenial atmosphere.

• Geography
Bangladesh is situated in the northeast of the South Asian Subcontinent. Its long southern coastline along the Bay of Bengal shares the Indian Ocean with India and Myanmar. It is bordered on the West by the two Indian states of West Bengal and Bihar and on the East by Myanmar and the Indian state of Assam.
Besides the hilly regions in the northeast and the southeast of the Bangladesh, and some areas of high lands in the northern and northwestern areas, the country consists of low, flat and fertile land. A network of rivers, which consist of the Padma, the Jamuna, the Teesta, the Brahmaputra,the Surma, the Meghna and the Karnaphuli, flow throughout the country. The Sundarbans, a mangrove forest, is home to the world famous Royal Bengal Tigers.

• Climate
The climate is sub-tropical with a mild winter from November to February, a humid summer from March to May, and a monsoon season from June to October.

 • Population
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. According to the Bangladesh Economic review report, the population of the country stood at 140.6 million on 1 July 2006. The population density was 953 per sq. km. The literacy rate of the country, according to the govt. statement, is about 51.6% for the population above the age of 15.

• Politics
A Parliamentary System governs Bangladesh. The President is the head of the state, while the Prime Minister heads the government elected by the people. The Prime Minister is the Chief Executive of the country. He/she selects a council of ministers that assists him/her in the discharge of his/her duties. The constitution provides for a unicameral legislature, which is called JatiyoSangsad. It consists of 300 members directly elected by the adult franchise. The members of JatiyoSangsad elect another 45 female members making the total number 345. It is the national parliament that is vested with the power to make laws for the country. Election to the Ninth Jatiyo Sangsad was held between November-December 2008.  At present, Abdul Hamid is President of Bangladesh (Head of the State) and Sheikh Hasina is Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Head of Government).

• Economy
Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world with an annual per capital income of $476 (2007 estimate). For the year of 2006-2007, the GDP growth rate was 6.51%. The per capita in taka is 35904 BDT, approximately US$520 (2006-2007). At present, agriculture contributes 34.58% of the GDP, while the industrial sector contributes 11%. Export earning cover 14.2% of GDP, while imports take up 21.5% of GDP. The main markets of exported goods are the EU, USA and Canada.

Bangladesh Bank is the central bank of the country, which is responsible for promoting growth and development of the banking system, as well as the over-all control of the activities of all other banks.

• International Relations
The foreign policy of Bangladesh is based on the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, peaceful co-existence and non-interference in another nations’ internal affairs. Bangladesh has been playing an increasingly positive role in various international forums, particularly in the UN, Commonwealth, OIC and South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC). The foreign affairs policies of the country have been marked by participation in multilateral interventions and peacekeeping missions, particularly as being part of UN forces.