Bangladesh, on the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal, is surrounded by India, except small common border with Myanmar in the southeast, lies between 20^o34' and 26^o36' Latitude north and 88^o01' and 92^o41' longitude east. The Liberation War in 1971 under the leadership of Bangabandhu Shekih Mujibur Rahman, "FATHER OF THE NATION", led to the Independence of East Pakistan from West Pakistan and establishment of a separate country, known as Bangladesh. Remnants of civilization in the greater Bengal region date back four thousand years,when Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman and Austro-Asiatic peoples settled in the region. The earliest reference to the region was to a kingdom called "Vanga" or "Banga" on 1000 BC when Dravidian-speaking tribe settled in the area. The Hindu and Buddhist dynasties of Guptas, Pals and Sens ruled the country until 13th Century. In 1576, Bengal became part of the Moghal Empire. The Indo-Pak sub continent was ruled by British India from 1757 until Britain withdrew in 1947.

The country is low-lying reverine land traversed by the many branches and tributaries of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. Much of the country's land area has been built up from alluvial deposits brought down by the major rivers. The country is mostly flat except for a range of hills in the south-east. Wooded marshy land and jungles characterize the topography of the country with plane land occupying most of the river basins. The Sundarban, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, is a World Heritage site. It has the "Longest Beach" of the World in Cox's Bazar District. At a stretch, you can go for 100 km marine drive from Coastal city Cox's Bazar to Teknaf.

Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon-type climate, with a hot and rainy summer and a dry winter. January is the coolest month with temperatures averaging near 8^oC. April & May are the warmest with temperatures from 33^oC to 41^oC. The climate is one of the wettest in the world. Most places receive more than 1.525 mm of rain a year. Bangladesh is subject to devastating cyclones accompanied by surging waves originating over the Bay of Bengal.

The country has a Parliamentary form of Government. The country is divided into 7 Administrative divisions namely Dhaka, Chittagong, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Barisal, Sylhet and Khulna. There are 64 districts, 465 upazillas (small administrative unit) and 85,650 villages under the seven divisions.

Bengali Language was established as official language after a bloody movement on 21st February 1952, during erstwhile Pakistan. For this reason as per the proposal of Bangladesh the 21st February has been declared as "International Mothers Language Day" in UNO. The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage as well. The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyric-based (Baniprodhan), with minimal instrumental accompaniment. The Baul tradition is a distinctive element of Bengali folk music. The culinary tradition of Bangladesh has close relations to Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine,as well as having its own unique traits. Rice and curry are traditional favorites. Rice cakes are one of the most popular food during winter in Bangladesh.

The Economy is characterized by a large subsistence agricultural sector, which contributes to sum 85% of the country's population and small modern industrial sector. Major foreign currencies are earned by exporting Readymade Garments, Tea, leather, Medicine and Manpower. Major agricultural crops are rice, jute (the golden fiber) and wheat. One significant contributor to the development of the economy has been the widespread propagation of micro credit by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2006. Which is also for the first time in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the largest contributor of the UN peace keeper in the World.

Culture

Bangladesh has a culture that encompasses elements both old and new. The culinary tradition of Bangladesh has close relations to Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine as well as having many unique traits. Rice and curry are traditional favourites. Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products; some common ones are Roshogolla, Chomchom and Kalojam.

Climate

Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June. A warm and humid monsoon season lasts from June to October and supplies most of the country's rainfall. Natural calamities, such as floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores occur almost every year.

Sports

The most popular games in Bangladesh is Football. During 'World Cup Football' this craze can be visible. Occupants of all the building hoist the flag of the country they support. Bangladesh became champion the 9th SA Games Football in 1999. Thereafter they became champion in South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Games in 2003 and champion in 11th South Asian Games Dhaka 2010. Next popular game in Bangladesh is cricket. It was granted Test status by the ICC in 2000 and is now the ninth ranked team in the world. It won South Asian Games Dhaka-2010 championship and now conquered 16th Asian Games in 2010 and won Gold. This is the first Gold Medal for Bangladesh in Asian Games.

Boxer Mosharraf Hossain Won the first Medal (Bronze) in "Asian Games" in 1986. Kabaddi, known as "Hadudu" is the national sport of Bangladesh, they won Silver in 1990,1994 and 2002 Asian Games. They won Bronze in Kabaddi in 1998 and 2006 Asian Games. In 1980 Bangladesh became the runners-up in the first Asian Kabaddi and again in the next Asian Kabaddi Championship held in 1985.

Bangladesh has been involved in the Commonwealth Games since 1978 and has won 03 medals . Abdus Sattar Nini and Mr. Atiquer Rahman won first Gold medal in 10m Air Rifle in Team event 14th CWG Auckland 1990. Mr. Asif Hossain Khan (shooter) won the gold medal in 10 m Air Rifle event at the 17th CWG 2002, Manchester-England. Ms. Sharmin Akter Ratna and Ms. Sayada Sadia Sultana also won Team event Gold medal in CWG Shooting Championship held in 2010. Mr. Neaz Morshed is the First International Grand Master of South Asian Sub-Continent zone in 1987.

Bangladesh has participated in seven Summer Olympic Games since 1984. Traditional Sports of Bangladesh are still practiced mostly in rural areas. They are however not played throughout the country. "Hadudu" (also known as 'Kabaddi') is the only internationally recognized traditional sport of Bangladesh. Besides "dariabandha", "Kho Kho", "Skipping rope", "gollachut", "satchara", "borofpani", "birinchi", "kutkut", "kanamachi", "tillo", etc. are still popular in sub-urban and rural areas.

Bangladesh hosted the 1985,1993 and 2010 South Asian Games successfully.