Country data

Location: South Asia

Time zone: CET + 5 (during summer time: CET + 4)

Total area: 144,000 km²

Land area: 130,170 km²

Water area: 13,830 km²

Length of the state border: 4,413 km

Bordering countries:
Myanmar: 271 km
India: 4,142 km

Coastline: 580 km

Capital: Dhaka

Districts: 5
Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi

Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz (strongly fluctuating 150-280 volts)

Telephone code: 00 880 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

Population

Population: approx. 166 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 1.6% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 1.152

Life expectancy: 69 (male), 73 (female)

Official language: Bengali

Religions:

• 89% Muslim
• 10% Hindus
• 1% other

Climate

Most of the year, Bangladesh has high temperatures.

From October to March the humidity is still very low and there is no rain. After that, the humidity rises sharply until mid-June. However, only very little rain falls during this period.

From the end of June to October it is then much cooler than usual. The cold and rainy monsoon season continues during these months.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Taka (BDT)

Classification: 1 Taka = 100 Poisha

ATMs: There are only a few machines in the capital.

International credit cards: These are accepted by a few larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: The national currency may be imported and exported up to an amount of 100 BDT. Foreign currencies up to an equivalent value of US $ 5,000 can be imported and exported without a declaration.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 2 cartons of cigarettes
• 2 bottles of alcoholic drinks (only for non-Muslims!)
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

You should keep all customs forms and certificates received upon entry until you leave the country.

Foreigners also face heavy penalties for possession and importation of drugs, even in the smallest quantities. If you have medication with you for your own needs, we recommend that you have a certificate from your doctor issued in English with you.

Travel advice

Travel to the districts of Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati is not recommended. There are repeated armed unrest and criminal attacks.

Large crowds and all political activity should be avoided.

Bangladesh is at risk of earthquakes.

Climate-related floods are quite common from June to October.

Behavioral advice

Robberies and thefts are very common. Particular caution is required in public transport and when there are large crowds.

Flying vendors and beggars keep trying to steal things from cars on streets and intersections. Always lock all doors and keep the windows closed when you are driving.

The roads across the country are in very poor condition. It is dangerous to be out at night.

Tap water should always be filtered and boiled before drinking, as the quality is very poor.

Economy

Bangladesh is still very far behind in terms of economic development. There is almost no big industry.

Most of the residents are employed in agriculture, which grows a lot of grain, rice and jute.

The textile industry is very strong. In many factories all over the country, goods are mainly manufactured for the European and North American market.

Industries: cotton, jute, tea, textiles, cement, sugar

Natural resources: natural gas, wood, farmland

Land use:

• Land: 73%
• Grain cultivation: 2%
• Pasture area: 5%
• Forests: 15%
• other: 5%

Plants

Only a very small part of the once huge forest areas has survived. About 15% of the country is covered by forests. here mainly mangroves grow.

In order to gain agricultural land, large areas were converted into arable land.