BANGLADESH -

Demographics
Population 166,280,712 (July 2014);
Population Growth Rate 1.6 (2014 est.);
Located in South Asia.
Birth Rate 21.61 births/1000 Pop. (2014 est.);
Death Rate 5.64 births/1000 Pop. (2014 est.);
Life Expectancy at Birth (2014 est.)
Total Population 70.65 years
Male 68.75 years
Female 72.63 years

BANGLADESH - CULTURE
Bengali is the official language and widely spoken and
understood.
Taka is their currency.
Rice and Fish are the foundations of their diet.
Their culture is heavily influenced by India but blends
with Muslim practices.
Singing and dancing are encouraged at all ages.

BANGLADESH -
ADMINISTRATION
Democratic, secular and socialist state created after the
division of Pakistan in 1971.
There are provinces* in the country.
The country is headed by the President while the balance of
power is divided between the legislature, executive and
judiciary.
Bangladesh (like Pakistan) has experienced martial law in its
formative years and the army is integrally involved in politics.
The country experiences widespread devastation each year
due to cyclones and is amongst the largest three recipients of
donor funding in the world.

BANGLADESH - RELIGION
Islam was made the State Religion of Bangladesh by the
Parliament in 1988.
The influence of the Imam in rural and urban society is
widespread as he is considered the most knowledgeable
practitioner of the Koran.
Men are the head of the family and staunchly Muslim
while Women practice religion within the confines of their
home.
Hinduism and many of their rituals are also followed.

BANGLADESH -
ARCHITECTURE
Density of population is amongst the highest in the world
which makes space scarce and usage focused on
practicality.
Primarily rural culture with their houses commonly
rectangular and made of dried mud, bamboo or red brick
structures. Interior decoration is minimal but adequate
space is left for storage.
The city architecture is dominated by Islamic or Mughal
motifs with curved arches, windows and minarets while
square British colonial and concrete construction is also
witnessed.


BANGLADESH
ECONOMY/Commerce
Industrial growth has occurred primarily in the garment
and textile sector while jute processing and jute product
fabrication remain important.
Exports totaled US$4.4 b in 1996 with US consuming one-
third of these exports.
Imports totaled US$7.1 b in 1996 and largely consisted of
capital goods, grains, petroleum and chemicals.
Agriculture accounted for 25% of the GDP in 1998.