16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Religions
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)
Languages
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Exports
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
External Debt
$36,210,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
taka (BDT) per US dollar - 68.554 (2008 est.), 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
Area
143,998 km sq
112,622 km sq
Coastline
580 km
121 km
Climate
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
