Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries, with its people crammed into a delta of rivers that empties into the Bay of Bengal.

Poverty is deep and widespread; almost half of the population live on less than one dollar a day. However, Bangladesh has reduced population growth and improved health and education.

OVERVIEW

The major employer is agriculture, but it is unable to meet the demand for jobs. Thus many Bangladeshis - in common with citizens from other countries in the region - seek work abroad, sometimes illegally. The country is trying to diversify its economy, with industrial development a priority. Overseas investors have pumped money into manufacturing and the energy sector.

Onshore and offshore gas reserves hold out some chance of future prosperity. There has been a debate about whether the reserves should be reserved for domestic use or exported. Some international energy companies are involved in the gas sector.

Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into being only in 1971, when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter civil war which drew in neighbouring India.


Bangladesh spent 15 years under military rule and, although democracy was restored in 1990, the political scene remains volatile.


Analysts say the antagonism between the Awami League, which governed until July 2001, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party reflects personal animosity between their leaders rather than substantial ideological differences.


Political tensions have spilled over into violence; hundreds of people have been killed in recent years. Attacks have targeted opposition rallies and public gatherings. Senior opposition figures have also been targeted.

Concern has grown about religious extremism in the traditionally moderate and tolerant country, which found apparent form in a string of bomb attacks in August 2005. The government, which long denied that it had a problem with militants, has outlawed two fringe Islamic organisations.

Bangladesh has been criticised for its human rights record, with particular concern about assaults on women and allegations that police use torture against those in custody.


The low-lying country is vulnerable to flooding and cyclones and it stands to be badly affected by predicted rises in sea levels.

FACTS
Full name: People's Republic of Bangladesh
Population: 152.6 million (UN, 2005)
Capital and largest city: Dhaka
Area: 143,998 sq km (55,598 sq miles)
Major language: Bengali
Major religions: Islam, Hinduism
Life expectancy: 62 years (men), 63 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 taka = 100 paisa
Main exports: Garments, fish, jute goods, leather products
GNI per capita: US $470 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .bd
International dialling code: +880

LEADERS

Head of interim government: Fakhruddin Ahmed

Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former head of the central bank, succeeded Iajuddin Ahmed as interim government leader on 12 January 2007.

His predecessor had been titular head of state as president since 2002 and assumed leadership in October 2006 of a caretaker authority which aimed to lead the country to elections.

However, he resigned from the role in January 2007 following weeks of violence and a threat to boycott the poll by a major alliance of parties, led by the Awami league. He cancelled the election, scheduled for 22 January, and declared a state of emergency.

The caretaker authority replaced Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the end of her five-year mandate.

Violent protests over who should lead the three-month administration have killed dozens of people and injured hundreds.

Bangladesh introduced the caretaker system in 1991 after military president Hossain Mohammad Ershad was toppled through a people's uprising led jointly by Khaleda and Sheikh Hasina, who now heads the main opposition party, the Awami League.

The system, designed to prevent ruling parties from rigging polls, is considered to have worked generally well in three elections.

Leading women in politics

Politics is dominated by arch-enemies Begum Khaleda Zia, the chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League.
Khaleda was prime minister between 1991 and 1996 and again from 2001 to October 2006, when she handed over power to a caretaker administration ahead of elections.

Hasina was prime minister from 1996 to 2001.

They face each other in elections in 2007.

The hostility between the women stems in part from differences over who played a greater role in the country's independence struggle - Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, or Khaleda's husband, General Ziaur Rahman.

After independence from Pakistan in 1971, Mujib was named father of the nation in the country's 1972 constitution.

But when Khaleda assumed power in 1991 her party pushed the idea that her husband was an equally key player in the independence struggle.

Khaleda's government amended the constitution in 2004 to delete the reference that Mujib was the father of the nation.

Khaleda and Hasina sank their differences when military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad was in power from 1982 to 1990. The two cooperated in the movement to oust Ershad.

But their alliance ended with Ershad's departure and they have been uncompromising rivals ever since on a range of issues.

Hasina accuses Khaleda's BNP and its Islamic allies with links to outlawed Islamist groups blamed for a series of bomb attacks in 2007.

Khaleda says Hasina's statements amount to treason.

Hasina escaped an assassination attempt in August 2004 when grenades exploded at a rally she was addressing. Twenty-three people were killed in the attack, which the Awami League said could be linked to parties in the ruling coalition.

MEDIA

The main broadcasters - Radio Bangladesh and Bangladesh Television (BTV) - are state-owned and favourable to the government. Little coverage is given to the political opposition, except in the run-up to general elections when a caretaker government takes control.

TV dominates media usage, especially in the cities. BTV is the sole terrestrial TV channel. Popular satellite and cable channels include ATN, Channel i, NTV, RTV, Channel One, BanglaVision and Boishakhi. The advent of these private broadcasters has had little impact in rural areas.

Foreign, especially Indian, TV stations have gained large audiences in Dhaka and other cities.

State-run radio covers almost the entire country.

Bangladeshi newspapers are diverse, outspoken and privately-owned. The print media are privately owned and there is a strong tradition of owner-editorship. English-language titles appeal mainly to an educated urban readership.

The constitution guarantees press freedom, but journalists are subject to regular harassment from the police and political activists. The government exercises a degree of control through the placement of official advertising.

Media rights organisation Reporters Without Borders says journalists are targeted by Islamist and Maoist groups, as well as officials and politicians.

The BBC World Service is available on FM in Dhaka.

The press

The Daily Star - English-language
The Bangladesh Observer - English-language daily
New Age - English-language daily
The New Nation - English-language daily
Holiday[/b] - English-language weekly
[b]Daily Prothom Alo - Bengali daily
Dainik Ittefaq - Bengali daily
Dainik Jugantor - Bengali daily

Television

Bangladesh Television (BTV) - government-run
ATN Bangla - private, via satellite and cable
Channel i - private, via satellite and cable
NTV - private, via satellite and cable
RTV - private, via satellite

Radio

Betar-Radio Bangladesh - government-run, operates networks A, B and C from Dhaka and local services
Radio Today FM - in Dhaka and surrounding area
Radio Furti FM - in Dhaka and surrounding area
Radio Metrowave - Dhaka, music and news aimed at younger listeners

News agencies

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - official, English-language pages
United News of Bangladesh (UNB) - private
bdnews24 - private

SOME MORE INFORMATION

1947 - British colonial rule over India ends. A largely Muslim state comprising East and West Pakistan is established, either side of India. The two provinces are separated from each other by more than 1,500 km of Indian territory.

1949 - The Awami League is established to campaign for East Pakistan's autonomy from West Pakistan.

1970- The Awami League, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, wins an overwhelming election victory in East Pakistan. The government in West Pakistan refuses to recognise the results, leading to rioting. Cyclone hits East Pakistan - up to 500,000 people are killed.


Independence

1971 - Sheikh Mujib arrested and taken to West Pakistan. In exile, Awami League leaders proclaim the independence of the province of East Pakistan on 26th March. The new country is called Bangladesh. Just under 10 million Bangladeshis flee to India as troops from West Pakistan are defeated with Indian assistance.

1972 Sheikh Mujib returns, becomes prime minister. He begins a programme of nationalising key industries in an attempt to improve living standards, but with little success.

1974- Severe floods devastate much of the grain crop, leading to an estimated 28,000 deaths. A national state of emergency is declared as political unrest grows.

1975 - Sheikh Mujib becomes president of Bangladesh. The political situation worsens. He is assassinated in a military coup in August. Martial law is imposed.

1976 - The military ban trade unions.

1977 - General Zia Rahman assumes the presidency. Islam is adopted in the constitution.

1979 - Martial law is lifted following elections, which Zia's Bangladesh National Party (BNP) wins.

1981 - Zia is assassinated during abortive military coup. He is succeeded by Abdus Sattar.


The Ershad era

1982 - General Ershad assumes power in army coup. He suspends the constitution and political parties.

1983 - Limited political activity is permitted. Ershad becomes president.

1986 - Parliamentary and presidential elections. Ershad elected to a five-year term. He lifts martial law and reinstates the constitution.

1987 - State of emergency declared after opposition demonstrations and strikes.

1988 - Islam becomes state religion. Floods cover up to three-quarters of the country. Tens of millions are made homeless.

1990 - Ershad steps down following mass protests.

1991 - Ershad convicted and jailed for corruption and illegal possession of weapons. Begum Khaleda Zia, widow of President Zia Rahman, becomes prime minister. Constitution is changed to render the position of president ceremonial. The prime minister now has primary executive power. Cyclonic tidal wave kills up to 138,000.

Awami League returns

1996 - Two sets of elections eventually see the Awami League win power, with Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, becoming prime minister.

1997 - Ershad is released from prison. The opposition BNP begins campaign of strikes against the government.

1998 - Two-thirds of the country devastated by the worst floods ever. Fifteen former army officers sentenced to death for involvement in assassination of President Mujib in 1975.

2000 September - Sheikh Hasina criticises military regimes in a UN speech, prompting Pakistani leader General Musharraf to cancel talks with her. Relations strained further by row over leaked Pakistani report on 1971 war of independence.

2000 December - Bangladesh expels Pakistani diplomat for comments on the 1971 war. The diplomat had put the number of dead at 26,000, whereas Bangladesh says nearly three million were killed. Bangladesh wants Pakistan to apologise for alleged genocide it says Pakistani forces were guilty of during the war.

2001 April - Seven killed in bomb blast at a Bengali New Year concert in Dhaka. Sixteen Indian and three Bangladeshi soldiers killed in their worst border clashes.

2001 April - High Court confirms death sentences on 12 ex-army officers for killing Mujib. Only four are in custody.

2001 June - Bomb kills 10 at Sunday mass at a Roman Catholic church in Baniarchar town. Bomb at Awami league office near Dhaka kills 22. Parliament approves bill providing protection for Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana, who feared that the killers of their father Mujib were out to get them too.

2001 July - Hasina steps down, hands power to caretaker authority, becoming the first prime minister in the country's history to complete a five-year term.


Coalition government

2001 September - At least eight people are killed and hundreds injured as two bombs explode at an election rally in south-western Bangladesh.

2001 October - Hasina loses at polls to Khaleda Zia's Nationalist Party and its three coalition partners.

2001 November - Law repealed which guaranteed lifelong security to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and sister Sheikh Rehana.

2002 March - Government introduces law making acid attacks punishable by death amid public anger over escalating violence against women.

2002 May - Government orders tightening of safety standards after up to 500 people die when a river ferry goes down in a storm.

2002 June - President Chowdhury resigns after ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) accuses him of taking an anti-party line.

2002 July - Pakistani President Musharraf visits; expresses regret over excesses carried out by Pakistan during 1971 war of independence.

2002 September - Iajuddin Ahmed sworn in as president.

2002 December - Simultaneous bomb blasts in cinemas in a town north of Dhaka kill 17 and injure hundreds.

2003 April - More than 100 people killed in two almost-simultaneous ferry disasters

2004 Opposition calls 21 general strikes over the course of the year as part of a campaign to oust the government.

2004 May - Parliament amends constitution to reserve 45 seats for female MPs.

Bomb attack on Muslim shrine in north-eastern town of Sylhet kills two and injures UK high commissioner and 50 others.

2004 July onwards - Worst flooding in six years leaves nearly 800 people dead, millions homeless or stranded, and an estimated 20m in need of food aid. September's floods in Dhaka are said to be the worst in decades.

2004 August - Grenade attack on opposition Awami League rally in Dhaka kills 22 people. Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina survives the attack.

2005 January - Prominent Awami League politician Shah AMS Kibria is killed in a grenade attack at a political rally. The party calls a general strike in protest.


2005 February - More than 140 people are killed when a ferry capsizes near Dhaka.

2005 May - Some 150 people are killed within a week in three ferry accidents.

Bomb attacks

2005 17 August - Around 350 small bombs go off in towns and cities nationwide. Two people are killed and more than 100 are injured. A banned Islamic group claims responsibility.

2005 November - Spate of bombings, blamed on Islamic militants, hits Chittagong and Gazipur. Twelve people are killed.

2006 February - Opposition Awami League ends year-long parliamentary boycott.

2006 August - Six people are killed in nation-wide protests against a British firm's plan to develop a coal mine in Phulbari in Dinajpur district. Opponents say the project will displace hundreds of families and damage the environment.

Political crisis

2006 October - Violent protests over government's choice of a caretaker administration to take over when Premier Zia completes her term at the end of the month. President Ahmed steps in and assumes caretaker role for period leading to elections due in January 2007.

2006 November - A 14-party opposition alliance led by the Awami League campaigns for controversial election officials to be removed. Chief election commissioner MA Aziz temporarily steps aside.

2006 December - Election date set at 22 January. Awami alliance says it will boycott the polls. Awami leader Sheikh Hasina accuses President Ahmed of favouring her rival.

Blockade aimed at derailing parliamentary elections paralyses much of the country.

2007 January - A state of emergency is declared amid violence in the election run-up. President Ahmed steps down as head of the interim government and cancels the 22 January poll.

Can i Add some??

As far as i know, Bangladesh was the first province Taken by East India Company Later transfered to British Empire!

I think after Saraj.ud.Dolaah's defeat in the battle of Palasi

ya sure ur welcome anytime its my Pleasure and thnk u so much for this more Information, i think i forget to rit this one