Welcome to Bangladesh - Home to Muhammad Yunus!
Geography
Did you know- With a total area of nearly 55,598 square kilometers ( 143, 998 km2),Bangladesh lies in South Asia and is bordered by India and Myanmar (formerly Burma). Almost all of Bangladesh is a low plain cut by the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. Mount Keokradong is the country's tallest peak: it rises 4,034 feet (1,230 meters) above sea level. More than 15 percent of its territory is covered by rain forests.
Population
Did you know- The People's Republic of Bangladesh ranks eighth in population among the countries of the world, after China, India, USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan. On the other hand, Dhaka is the country's capital. Apart from Dhaka, other cities include: Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet.
Independence
Did you know- On March 26, 1971, Bangladesh, former East Pakistan, became an independent country.
Sports
Did you know- The most popular sports are: cricket, soccer, wrestling, and track & field.
Women & Power
Did you know- Like India and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh -also known as East Bengal-- was one of the first countries to have a female leader in the latter half of the 20th century. Between 1991 and 1996, Begum Khaleda Zia was named Head of Government, meanwhile Sheik Hasina Wajed became Prime Minister in 1996.
North -South
Did you know- In late 1981, Bangladesh participated in the North-South Summit, which was held in Cancun (Mexico), along with the United States, Tanzania, Canada and Britain.
Cricket
Did you know- By 1997, the People's Republic of Bangladesh had good reason to celebrate:the cricket national team won the ICC World Cup Qualifier Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Heroes
Did you know- In late 2006, Muhammad Yunus, an economist, lived up to his reputation as one of the most respected Bangladeshis when he won the Nobel Prize in Peace. He thus became the first Bangladeshi to win a Nobel Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then, it was a momentous win for the country.
Bangladesh-USA
Did you know- In recent decades, Bangladesh and the United States have maintained excellent diplomatic relations. On March 19, 2000, Bangladesh had been visited by America's leader Bill Clinton. During that day, he met with Prime Minister Sheik Hasina Wazed and pledged $200 million in economic aid to Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest nations.
Asian Idols
Did you know- Despite being one of the world's poorest nations,
Bangladesh is home to some of Asia's most famous people: Begum Khaleda Zia (former Prime Minister, 1991- 1996), and Sheik Hasina Wazed ( the nation's incumbent Head of Government ), as well as Bibi Russel (one of the super-models in the 1970s), Taslima Nasrim (author) and Irene Khan (Secretary General of the Amnesty International).
Famous Visitors
Did you know- By late 1986, Pope John Paul II arrived the country for an official visit, where about 97 percent of the nation's people are Muslims and Hindus.
International Organizations
Did you know- On September 17, 1974, the Asian state became a full member of the United Nations. At the same time, it joined the Commonwealth of Nations. In the meantime, from 1979 to 1980, the country was named as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, along with France, Great Britain and the People's Republic of China. In the years that followed, in 1986, Humayun Rasheed Choudhury was the first Bangladeshi to be elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Ancient Wonders
Did you know- The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat is the nation's most famous ancient wonder. Thanks to its unique architecture, this place contains more than 70 mosques, it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The People's Republic of Bangladesh is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
-Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat
-Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur
-The Sundarbans
Wars/Conflicts
Did you know- From the 20th century to the 21st century, Bangladesh, that once formed part of British Empire, boasted four wars:
1948: East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)-Pakistan
1969: East Pakistan -Pakistan
1971: East Pakistan-Pakistan
1971: East Pakistan-India
Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women's rights, among them "History of the Women in America" and "Famous Americans".
