Bangladesh

Overview

The People's Republic of Bangladesh ( Bengali : গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ Goṇoprojātontrī Bānglādesh ) is a country in South Asia , on the edge of the Indian subcontinent. The country is endowed with pristine beaches, numerous archaeological sites, bustling markets, numerous sites of religious importance, forests, delicious food, and more importantly, hospitable and friendly people.

Bangladesh offers World Heritage Sites, historical monuments, resorts, experiences with tribal people, and wildlife of various species. Travellers looking for activities can participate in angling, water skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting, and sea bathing.

Bangladesh ( Bengali : BAHNG-lah-daysh ) is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, with Bengalis making up 98% of the population. It has the world's highest population density (excepting microstates such as city-states). The country has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world; nine Bangladeshis out of ten are Sunni Muslims.

In the partition of India in 1947, after independence from the British Raj , Bangladesh became a part of Pakistan . In 1971, it became an independent country.

The country is officially known as the "People's Republic of Bangladesh". Although the term "People's Republic" is commonly associated with communist states, Bangladesh is not a communist country. The term was adopted primarily because Bangladesh gained its independence through a revolutionary struggle.

The country's history goes as far back as 1500 BC , the Chalcolithic period, and the area has long been known as a melting pot of various cultures and civilisations.

The ancient history of Bangladesh began with settled agricultural communities during the Chalcolithic period over 4,000 years ago. Early Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Tibeto-Burman groups thrived on the fertile plains of the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta. By the 4th century BCE, these scattered tribal networks evolved into the powerful Gangaridai Kingdom . Roman and Greek historians, including Ptolemy, documented this state as a massive military power. Its formidable war elephant cavalry famously deterred Alexander the Great from advancing further east into the Indian subcontinent.

Sights and landscapes

Bangladesh has many UNESCO World Heritage Sites . It is a country with lots of places to visit, many of which offer unforgettable experiences but remain relatively unknown to the rest of the world. As a vacation destination Bangladesh has many facets, the main one being eco-tourism. Some of the tourist attractions include archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forest and wildlife. Bangladesh offers opportunities for angling, water-skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, surfing, yachting and sea bathing as well as bringing one in close touch with Mother Nature. Bangladesh is also rich in wildlife and game birds.

Dhaka is a pulsing, gritty conglomerate, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Some of the many attractions for tourists, include the Lalbagh Quilla, Ahsan Manjil, Shaheed Minar, Boro Katra, Choto Katra, the National Museum and Jatiyo Songshad Bhaban (National Parliament Building). The Suhrawardy Uddan and the Ramna Park are two parks that provide green respite to city dwellers. Other tourist attractions include places like Baitul Mukarram (National Mosque), the High Court Building, and the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. If you're visiting only one thing, then the LalBagh Qilla fort is a must-see, in the older part of town. The older part of Dhaka, known as "Puran Dhaka" in Bengali, is literally a city of history with hundred-year-old buildings crammed on each side of hundreds of narrow lanes. Each city block, or "Moholla" in Bengali, of Puran Dhaka is unique with its specialized shops and artisans and gives a taste of ancient Dhaka.

Culture and food

Bangladesh is a seafood lover's paradise. Traditionally most of the country lives off of the once-bountiful freshwater river fish, especially the officially designated "national fish" Hilsa . The Hilsa has a nice flavour but some may find the many fine bones difficult to manage; if you can master eating this fish, consider yourself on par with the locals in fish-eating and deboning expertise. Various recipes exist for cooking Hilsa, suitable for all seasons and all regions of the country. Mutton is also popular, as in most Muslim countries, as is decidedly lean or hard chicken. Rice is almost always the staple side dish. Due to Muslim beliefs, pork is a banned item in Bangladesh and is neither consumed nor sold. However it is found and consumed in non-Muslim areas.

Mixed vegetable curries are plentiful – potato, eggplant, squash and tomatoes are the staple ingredients. Gourds, tubers and certain root vegetables are common. In the major cities (Dhaka, Chittagong, etc.), you will find a larger variety of vegetables than in rural areas.

Planning your route

There are quite a few helicopter services available for hire in Bangladesh for transportation, tourism, medical evacuation (Medevac) or film-footage services. Any reputable travel agent will know full details.

If you can speak Bengali fluently, rickshaws are useful for short distances. However, rickshaws are banned on major highways and roads. Agree on the fare before you ride and make sure they understand where you want to go because most rickshaw pullers do not speak English. Otherwise get a local to translate for you and to fix the fare beforehand.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered auto-rickshaws are also popular for short distances. Auto-rickshaws are banned on major highways and some roads because they are considered slow moving traffic. Agree on the fare beforehand and make sure they understand where you want to go. If you do not speak Bengali fluently, ask a local to translate for you and to fix the fare beforehand.

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.