President: Zillur Rahman Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina Wajed
King: Mswati III
Population
161,083,804
1,386,914
Life Expectancy
70.060 years
49.420 years
Capital City
Dhaka
Mbabane
Largest city
Dhaka (population: 10,356,500)
Manzini (population: 110,537)
Human Development Index
0.524
0.542
GDP per capita
$1,700 US
$5,400 US
Literacy Rate
43.1%
81.6%
Corruption Perception Index
2.1
3.6
Percentage of Women in Parliament
0%
0%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
5.000%
40.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
Abolished in practice
Political System
parliamentary democracy
monarchy
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
6 September 1968 (from UK)
Religions
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
Languages
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Exports
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
External Debt
$25,220,000,000 $
$703,100,000 US
Exchange Rate
taka (BDT) per US dollar - 68.554 (2008 est.), 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006), 64.328 (2005), 59.513 (2004)
emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.300%
4.700%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Area
143,998 km sq
17,364 km sq
Coastline
580 km
0 km
Climate
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
