President: Zillur Rahman Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina Wajed
Caretaker president : Roza Otunbayeva
Population
161,083,804
5,496,737
Life Expectancy
70.060 years
69.450 years
Capital City
Dhaka
Bishkek
Largest city
Dhaka (population: 10,356,500)
Bishkek (population: 900,000)
Human Development Index
0.524
0.694
GDP per capita
$1,700 US
$2,400 US
Literacy Rate
43.1%
98.7%
Corruption Perception Index
2.1
1.8
Percentage of Women in Parliament
0%
25.6%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
5.000%
8.600%
Death Penalty
Legal
Abolished except for special circumstances
Political System
parliamentary democracy
republic
Independence date
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
31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Languages
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
Exports
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
