Bangladesh
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Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India to the west, north, and east, Myanmar to the southeast, and the Bay of Bengal to the south. Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries and the eighth-most populous country by population. Its capital and largest city is Dhaka, while Chittagong is the country's principal seaport.
The territory of present-day Bangladesh forms the eastern part of the historical region of Bengal, which has been an important center of trade, culture, and civilization for centuries. The country gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 following the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Etymology
The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal", derived from the Bengali words Bangla (Bengal) and desh (country).
History
Ancient and medieval periods
The Bengal region has been inhabited for thousands of years and was home to several ancient kingdoms and empires, including the Pala Empire and the Sena dynasty. The area later became part of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, developing into an important center of trade and agriculture.
British rule and Partition
Following the decline of the Mughal Empire, Bengal came under British rule. In 1947, British India was partitioned, and the eastern part of Bengal became East Pakistan, a province of the newly established Dominion of Pakistan.
Bangladesh Liberation War
Political and economic disparities between East and West Pakistan led to growing demands for autonomy. In the 1970 Pakistani general election, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a parliamentary majority. However, the transfer of power was delayed, leading to widespread protests in East Pakistan.
On 25 March 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, a military crackdown against civilians and political activists in East Pakistan. The following day, Bangladesh declared independence, and the Bangladesh Liberation War began.
The war lasted for nine months and resulted in significant loss of life and displacement. The conflict ended on 16 December 1971 with the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state.
July movement
In July 2024, Bangladesh experienced a nationwide student-led protest movement that began over demands for reform of the public-sector quota system and later expanded into broader demonstrations concerning governance and political accountability. The protests, commonly referred to as the July movement or July Revolution, resulted in widespread civil unrest and significant political developments.
The movement became one of the largest protest waves in the country's recent history and marked a major turning point in contemporary Bangladeshi politics.
Geography
Bangladesh is situated in the Bengal delta, formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river systems. Much of the country consists of fertile alluvial plains.
The country has a tropical monsoon climate characterized by hot summers, heavy seasonal rainfall, and mild winters. The Sundarbans, shared with India, is the world's largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Government and politics
Bangladesh is a unitary parliamentary republic. The national legislature is the Jatiya Sangsad, a unicameral parliament. The president serves as head of state, while executive authority is exercised by the government.
Administratively, Bangladesh is divided into eight divisions and sixty-four districts.
Economy
Bangladesh has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. The country's economy is driven by the ready-made garments industry, agriculture, remittances, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.
Bangladesh is among the world's largest exporters of garments and textiles and has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving social indicators.
Demographics
Bangladesh has a population exceeding 170 million people, making it one of the world's most populous countries. Bengali is the official and most widely spoken language.
Islam is the largest religion in the country, followed by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.
Culture
Bangladeshi culture is deeply rooted in Bengali traditions and literature. The works of Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and other Bengali writers have significantly influenced the country's cultural identity.
Major national celebrations include: