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 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
External Debt
$10,100,000,000 $
$36,210,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
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
0.900%
1.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
0
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Area
923,768 km sq
143,998 km sq
Coastline
853 km
580 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
