BANGLADESH
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is rich in bio diversity. Even though the land is thickly populated its natural beauty has dream like quality. To some it is astonishing to see nature in all its format and colors here.
GEOGRAPHY
It is located on the 580 Km shore of Bay of Bengal in the south and gigantic Himalayas are towards the north; Bangladesh is bordered 4053 km mainly by India with 193 km with Burma in the extreme south east. The country makes a part of South Asia. A puny part of south east is mountainous and the zenithal peak Mowdok Maul at 3291 ft. is here.
It is a flat low land occupying the delta of the Ganges Jamuna Meghna and Karnafuli, their bifurcation which frequently bring devastating floods. These bring along fertile soil. The land fertility is an advantage for crop growing; the original vegetation has been largely replaced by rice paddies and jute fields. The country is a leading jute producer. Cotton, sugar cane, tea, and tobacco are also important.
The country’s layout is swampy uncut forest in river basin mostly in protected and renowned Sunderbans, Sylhet, Rangamati, hill area of Bandarban, Mymensingh as well as Tangail.
Major cities are Chittagong, Khulna, Narayanganj, and Rajshahi.
Chief rivers of the land are Ganges, Jamuna,
CLIMATE
Equatorial monsoon type with frequent typhoons that cause flooding; October to March is sweaty summer season, June till October is rains warm and wet. January is cool and comfortable temperature wise. Peak summer is in the month of May month. Cyclone possibility is more in April and May later in September till November.
Tourists visit the country in large numbers between October and March.
HISTORY
There is reference of this land in the religious scripture Mahabharata of the 9th century. The Aryans and the Dravidans reached here from central Asia and western India respectively between 5-6th century B.C. Henceforth the Hindu Kings like Guptsa, Palas, and Senas ruled the land till 13th century. Henceforth British or there Muslim representatives carried out orders from Delhi; this continued halfway through the 18th century and then the entire region came under the domain of the British. At the time of partition in 1947 it became a part of Pakistan. The unrest began soon after due to political, cultural and economic reasons. Bangladesh as a separate nation came into being in 1971
POPULATION
The population constitutes of Bengali Bihari and tribes of the Tibeto-Burman language group. The Bengalis trace their ancestry from Indo –Aryans. Economy sustains on rural activities.
Religion is Islam mostly Sunni, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and others
Language in official use is Bengali and English. Urdu is minority language.
Currency is Taka.
Agriculture employs three quarters of the work force. The wet and hot climate makes it possible to harvest as many as three crops per year.
People are ruled through Parliamentary method.
Calculate time by adding 6 hours to GMT.
TOURISM
Visit Bangladesh to see the famous Bengal Tigers at Sundarban and the elephant herds at Chittagong Hill tract. The river basins are habitat of many species of mammals, bird, reptiles, water creatures and amphibians. There is a lot in Bangladesh to attract tourist from beaches to historical sites to nature.
Those who love the water and the sand can visit Cox Bazaar near Chittagong and laze around 120km of coast line enjoying the roaring waves, small sea creatures, and Buddhist pagodas along with eating joints close by. The forest is in the backdrop. In the vicinity is another beach called Inani.
Those with religious bent of mind can experience spirituality at Mainamati 8th to 12th century period Buddhist center in south east direction of Dhaka. The remains are in a radius of 18 km on a hill.
Mahasthangarh 3rd century architecture is the most antiquated site of the country’s past. The Hindus revere it even today. Twice each year there is bathing festivity ritual when thousands of devotees collect here and carry out religious procedures. Museum is close by.
Paharpur is 8th century Buddhist monastery ruins now World Heritage Site is in 27 acres of land on the foot hills of Himalayas. The workmanship of days gone by is worth admiring. Guided package tours are available.
Hindu and Buddhist devotees visit ancient temple Sitakunda in large numbers even today. The annual festival is held in February with religious fervor. Close by are steaming springs of pure water and with healing properties.
The Dhaka Sri Chaitanya Temple was residence of Saint Vaishnava. The annual fair is a conglomeration of locals and tourists.
Pay homage to the soldiers who laid down their life for liberation war of 1971 at National Memorial an hour’s journey from Dacca and at Martyred Intellectual Memorial. The Central Shahid Minar is an apologue of Bengali movement of 1952. Each year 21st Feb is celebrated as International Mother Language Day and functions are organized here.
A visit to the Museum at Sonargaon near Dhaka is very enlightening; the mosque and tomb of Sultan Abdul Allah are undamaged with the passage of time.
For nature addicts there is the lake district of Rangamati on Kaptai Lake; A couple of hours journey through sensuous green vegetation and mounds brings you here. Shoppers enjoy buying local products of textiles jewelry and ivory. The numerous water sport options include speed boat cruise, skiing, swimming, or water splashing. Other attraction here is the museum and a bridge over the lake. Hotels and cottages for stay can be booked here in advance.
Visit to Bangladesh is incomplete if Sundarban mangrove impenetrable forest in varying landscape hues and only a day’s drive from Dhaka is not in the itinerary. It is the habitat of the Royal Bengal tigers. The sights of the wild are visible here in their natural format which makes it very enduring.
There is more to visit in this land like the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Banga Bhaban,Island Moheshkhali and Sonadia, Buddist village Ramu, waterfall Madhabkunda,and border area waterfall Tamabil- jaflong the huge tea garden at Srimongal. There are activities and site for family vacation. Once here the tourists love the place.
Accommodation
Tourism as an industry is well structured here. There are government and private people catering to accommodation at all prices for all segments. At resorts cottages are more in demand. Booking for most places is possible online.
Transportation
The transportation system largely depends on the dense system of waterways. Dacca, Zia, Shah Amanat, Chittagong and Osmany are international airports.
Food
The staple diet is rich and fish here. Many varieties of dishes are made with these two basic ingredients. The eating joints of all categories serve western dishes as well. However Bangla curries are in demand by tourists.
The music tradition has rich past here and tourists enjoy the melody of music as they dine.
Shopping
There are many native items for purchase such as handicraft, brass items, and pink pearls. Cottage industry products are elegant and ideal as souvenir. Items most in demand are ethnic paintings, wood craft, local mattresses, bamboo handicraft, cane products, shell decoration pieces, textiles, gold and silver jewelry etc.
Take a holiday package and enjoy the place with near and dear ones.
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