President: Zillur Rahman Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina Wajed
President: Macky Sall
Population
161,083,804
12,969,606
Life Expectancy
70.060 years
60.180 years
Capital City
Dhaka
Dakar
Largest city
Dhaka (population: 10,356,500)
Dakar (population: 2,476,400)
Human Development Index
0.524
0.502
GDP per capita
$1,700 US
$1,900 US
Literacy Rate
43.1%
39.3%
Corruption Perception Index
2.1
3.4
Percentage of Women in Parliament
0%
29.2%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
5.000%
48.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
Abolished
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
4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960
Religions
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Exports
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
taka (BDT) per US dollar - 68.554 (2008 est.), 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004)
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.300%
1.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Area
143,998 km sq
196,722 km sq
Coastline
580 km
531 km
Climate
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
