South Asia.

GMT + 6.

147,570 sq km (56,977 sq miles).

130 million (official estimate 2000).

882.3 per sq km.

Dhaka. Population: 3,612,850 (1991).

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, is bordered to the west and northwest by West Bengal (India), to the north by Assam and Meghalaya (India), to the east by Assam and Tripura (India) and by Myanmar (Burma) to the southeast. The landscape is mainly flat. A large part of Bangladesh is made up of alluvial plain, caused by the effects of the two great river systems of the Ganges (Padma) and the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) and their innumerable tributaries. In the northeast and east of the country, the landscape rises to form forested hills. To the southeast, along the Burmese and Indian borders, the land is hilly and wooded. About one-seventh of the country’s area is under water and flooding occurs regularly.

After 16 years of presidential government, punctuated by spells of martial law, Bangladesh reverted to its original parliamentary system in August 1992, when constitutional amendments were approved by national referendum. Three hundred of the 330-member Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) are elected by adult suffrage; the remaining 30 seats are reserved for women and are selected by the other members. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Jatiya Sangsad. Its members also elect the largely titular post of President, who is the Head of State.

Republic. Gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. Head of State: President Iajuddin Ahmed since 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Khaleda Zia since 2001. Recent history: After 16 years of Presidential Government, punctuated by spells of martial law, Bangladesh reverted to its original Parliamentary system in August 1992, when constitutional amendments were approved by national referendum. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). Its members also elect the largely titular post of President, who is the Head of State. In October 2001, Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister in Bangladesh, came to power following a landslide election victory of the four-party alliance led by her Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Her Government has pointed to successes in handling the economy and in tackling environmental issues. But it has struggled to deliver on its key election pledge of containing lawlessness and violence. Ms Zia has come under opposition pressure to call early elections, amid a background of general strikes and protests. There have been a spate of politically motivated violent incidents in Bangladesh in 2004/2005. In August 2004, 20 members of the Awami League were killed, including the Woman's Affairs Secretary, Ivy Rahman. In January 2005, former Finance Minister, Shah Kibria, was assassinated with four colleagues in another grenade attack at an Awami League rally in northern Bangladesh. Bangladesh has also ranked worst on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index for the past four years.

The official language is Bengali (Bangla). English is widely spoken, especially in Government and commercial circles. Tribal dialects are also spoken.

88 per cent Muslim, 10 per cent Hindus and 2 per cent Buddhist and Christian minorities. Religion is the main influence on attitudes and behaviour. Since 1988, Islam has been the official state religion.

In someone’s home it is acceptable to sit crossed-legged on cushions or the sofa. If a visitor wishes to bring a gift, money must not be given as it may cause offence. Religious customs should be respected by guests. There are severe penalties for possession and trafficking of illegal drugs. some drugs-related offences are punishable by death. For instance, women should not be specifically photographed unless it is certain that there will be no objection. Women should wear trousers or long skirts; revealing clothes should be avoided, particularly when visiting religious places. Dress is generally informal for men, though modesty must be maintained. Same-sex relations are illegal. Photography: In rural areas, people are becoming more used to tourists; however, permission should be requested before photographs are taken of individuals. Do not photograph military installations.

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the British 5- and 15-amp, two- or three-pin (round) type.