122,013,000 (1997).

826.8 per sq km.

Dhaka

33,593,103 (1991).

: The People's Republic of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, is bounded to the west and northwest by West Bengal (India), to the north by Assam and Meghalaya (India), to the east by Assam and Tripura (India) and by Myanmar (Burma) to the southeast. The landscape is mainly flat with many bamboo, mango and palm-covered plains. A large part of Bangladesh is made up of alluvial plain, caused by the effects of the two great river systems of the Ganges (Padma) and the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) and their innumerable tributaries. In the northeast and east of the country the landscape rises to form forested hills. To the southeast, along the Burmese and Indian borders, the land is hilly and wooded. About a seventh of the country's area is under water and flooding occurs regularly.

Republic. Gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. Head of State: President Shahabuddin Ahmed since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheik Hasina Wajed since 1996.

The official language is Bengali (Bangla). English is widely spoken especially in government and commercial circles.

86% Muslim, and small Hindu, Buddhist and Christian minorities. Religion is the main influence on attitudes and behaviour. Since 1988 Islam has been the official state religion.

GMT + 6.

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the British 5- and 15-amp, 2- or 3-pin (round) type.