Bangladesh

Modern Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971 after breaking away and achieving independence. The country’s borders corresponded with the major portion of the ancient and historic region of Bengal in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, where civilization dates back over four millennia, to the Chalcolithic.

Dhaka, its capital and largest city, is also the economic, political and the cultural hub of the country. Chittagong, the largest sea port, is the second largest city. The country also features the longest natural sea beach and most of the largest mangrove forest in the world.

The history of the region is closely intertwined with the history of Bengal and the broader history of the Indian subcontinent. Bangladesh has the world’s 39th largest economy in terms of market exchange rates and 29th largest in terms of purchasing power parity, which ranks second in South Asia after India.

The service sector accounts for 51 percent of the country’s GDP. Bangladesh ranks with Pakistan as South Asia’s second-largest banking sector. Bangladesh’s tourist attractions include historical and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forests and tribal people, wildlife of various species.