Fast Facts – Bangladesh

Official name: People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Geographic coordinates: 23°42′N, 90°21′E

Land area: 51,703 sq mi (133,911 sq km)

Total area: 55,598 sq mi (144,000 sq km)

Population: 150,448,339 (2007)

Government: Parliamentary Republic

President: lajuddin Ahmed (2002)

Prime Minister: vacant

Head of Interim Government: Fakhruddin Ahmed (2007)

Languages: Bengali (Bangla) (official) English

Capital and the largest city: Dhaka

Other large cities: Chittagong, Khulna

Religion: Islam 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)

Currency: Taka (BDT)

Race: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)

Literacy rate: 43% (2003 est.)

Independence Day: 26^th March (1971)

Victory Day: 16^th December (1971)

Time zone: BDT (UTC+6)

Country calling code: +880

Internet TLD: .bd