274 lines
22 KiB
Plaintext
274 lines
22 KiB
Plaintext
|
BANGLADESH
|
|||
|
|
GEOGRAPHY
|
|||
|
|
Total area: 144,000 km2; land area: 133,910 km2
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Land boundaries: 4,246 km total; Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Coastline: 580 km
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Maritime claims:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Contiguous zone: 18 nm;
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Continental shelf: up to outer limits of continental margin;
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Territorial sea: 12 nm
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Disputes: a portion of the boundary with India is in dispute;
|
|||
|
|
water sharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Ganges
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Climate: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid
|
|||
|
|
summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Natural resources: natural gas, uranium, arable land, timber
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Land use: arable land 67%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and
|
|||
|
|
pastures 4%; forest and woodland 16%; other 11%; includes irrigated
|
|||
|
|
14%
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Environment: vulnerable to droughts; much of country routinely
|
|||
|
|
flooded during summer monsoon season; overpopulation; deforestation
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Note: almost completely surrounded by India
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
PEOPLE
|
|||
|
|
Population: 116,601,424 (July 1991), growth rate 2.3% (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Birth rate: 36 births/1,000 population (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Infant mortality rate: 118 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 52 years female (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Nationality: noun--Bangladeshi(s); adjective--Bangladesh
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Ethnic divisions: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, and tribals less
|
|||
|
|
than 1 million
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Religion: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, and other
|
|||
|
|
less than 1%
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Language: Bangla (official), English widely used
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Literacy: 35% (male 47%, female 22%) age 15 and over can
|
|||
|
|
read and write (1990 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Labor force: 35,100,000; agriculture 74%, services 15%, industry
|
|||
|
|
and commerce 11% (FY86); extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE,
|
|||
|
|
and Oman (1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Organized labor: 3% of labor force belongs to 2,614 registered
|
|||
|
|
unions (1986 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
GOVERNMENT
|
|||
|
|
Long-form name: People's Republic of Bangladesh
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Type: republic
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Capital: Dhaka
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Administrative divisions: 64 districts (zillagulo,
|
|||
|
|
singular--zilla); Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna, Barisal,
|
|||
|
|
Bhola, Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chapai Nawabganj,
|
|||
|
|
Chattagram, Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka,
|
|||
|
|
Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha, Gazipur, Gopalganj,
|
|||
|
|
Habiganj, Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati, Jhenaidah,
|
|||
|
|
Khagrachari, Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia, Laksmipur,
|
|||
|
|
Lalmonirhat, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur,
|
|||
|
|
Moulavibazar, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail,
|
|||
|
|
Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Nator, Netrakona, Nilphamari,
|
|||
|
|
Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar, Parbattya Chattagram,
|
|||
|
|
Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur,
|
|||
|
|
Satkhira, Shariyatpur, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet,
|
|||
|
|
Tangail, Thakurgaon
|
|||
|
|
Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan; formerly East
|
|||
|
|
Pakistan)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972,
|
|||
|
|
suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986,
|
|||
|
|
amended NA March 1991
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Legal system: based on English common law
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Leaders:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Chief of State--President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since
|
|||
|
|
8 October 1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Head of Government--Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman
|
|||
|
|
(since 20 March 1991)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
|||
|
|
Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman;
|
|||
|
|
Awami League, Sheikh Hasina WAZED;
|
|||
|
|
Jatiyo Party, Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD;
|
|||
|
|
Jamaat-E-Islami, Ali KHAN;
|
|||
|
|
Bangladesh Communist Party (pro-Soviet), Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK;
|
|||
|
|
National Awami Party (Muzaffar);
|
|||
|
|
Workers Party, leader NA;
|
|||
|
|
Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (National Socialist Party--SIRAJ), M. A. JALIL;
|
|||
|
|
Ganotantri Party, leader NA;
|
|||
|
|
Islami Oikya Jote, leader NA;
|
|||
|
|
National Democratic Party, leader NA;
|
|||
|
|
Muslim League, Khan A. SABUR;
|
|||
|
|
Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed;
|
|||
|
|
United People's Party, Kazi ZAFAR Ahmed
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Suffrage: universal at age 18
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Elections:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
President--last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held by October
|
|||
|
|
1996);
|
|||
|
|
results--Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary vote
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
National Parliament--last held 27 February 1991 (next to be held
|
|||
|
|
February 1996); results--percent of vote by party NA;
|
|||
|
|
seats--(330 total, 300 elected and 30 seats reserved for women)
|
|||
|
|
BNP 168, AL 93, JP 35, JI 20, CBP 5, National Awami Party (Muzaffar) 1,
|
|||
|
|
Workers Party 1, SIRAJ 1, Ganotantri Party 1, Islami Oikya Jote 1,
|
|||
|
|
NDP 1, independents 3
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Communists: 5,000 members (1987 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,
|
|||
|
|
ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
|
|||
|
|
ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG,
|
|||
|
|
UPU, WHO, WFTU, WIPO, WCL, WMO, WTO
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador A. H. S. Ataul KARIM;
|
|||
|
|
Chancery at 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007; telephone
|
|||
|
|
(202) 342-8372 through 8376; there is a Bangladesh Consulate General in
|
|||
|
|
New York;
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
US--Ambassador William B. MILAM; Embassy at Diplomatic
|
|||
|
|
Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka (mailing address
|
|||
|
|
is G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212); telephone 880 (2) 884700-22
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of
|
|||
|
|
center; green is the traditional color of Islam
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
ECONOMY
|
|||
|
|
Overview: Bangladesh is one of the poorest nations in the world.
|
|||
|
|
The economy is based on the output of a narrow range of
|
|||
|
|
agricultural products, such as jute, which is the main cash crop and
|
|||
|
|
major source of export earnings. Bangladesh is hampered by a relative
|
|||
|
|
lack of natural resources, population growth of more than 2% a year,
|
|||
|
|
large-scale unemployment, and a limited infrastructure; furthermore,
|
|||
|
|
it is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Despite these constraints,
|
|||
|
|
real GDP growth averaged about 3.5% annually during 1985-89. A strong
|
|||
|
|
agricultural performance in FY90 pushed the growth rate up to 5.5%.
|
|||
|
|
Alleviation of poverty remains the cornerstone of the government's
|
|||
|
|
development strategy.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
GDP: $20.4 billion, per capita $180; real growth rate 4.0%
|
|||
|
|
(1990 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (FY90 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Unemployment rate: 30% (FY90 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Budget: revenues $2.2 billion; expenditures $3.9 billion, including
|
|||
|
|
capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (FY90)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Exports: $1.5 billion (FY90 est.);
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
commodities--jute, tea, leather, shrimp, textiles;
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
partners--US 25%, Western Europe 22%, Middle East 9%, Japan 8%,
|
|||
|
|
Eastern Europe 7%
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Imports: $3.6 billion (FY90 est.);
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
commodities--food, petroleum and other energy, nonfood consumer
|
|||
|
|
goods, semiprocessed goods, and capital equipment;
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
partners--Western Europe 18%, Japan 14%, Middle East 9%, US 8%
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
External debt: $10.9 billion (FY90 est.)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Industrial production: growth rate 4.1% (FY90 est.); accounts
|
|||
|
|
for 15% of GDP
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Electricity: 1,990,000 kW capacity; 5,700 million kWh produced,
|
|||
|
|
50 kWh per capita (1990)
|
|||
|
|
Industries: jute manufacturing, base metals, food processing,
|
|||
|
|
cotton textiles, tobacco processing, chemicals
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP, 60% of
|
|||
|
|
employment, and one third of exports; imports 10% of food grain
|
|||
|
|
requirements; world's largest exporter of jute; commercial
|
|||
|
|
products--jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk,
|
|||
|
|
poultry; shortages include wheat, vegetable oils and cotton; fish catch
|
|||
|
|
778,000 metric tons in 1986
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.4
|
|||
|
|
billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
|
|||
|
|
(1980-88), $10.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $652 million;
|
|||
|
|
Communist countries (1970-89), $1.5 billion
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Currency: taka (plural--taka); 1 taka (Tk) = 100 paise
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1--35.790 (January 1991), 34.567
|
|||
|
|
(1990), 32.270 (1989), 31.733 (1988), 30.950 (1987), 30.407 (1986),
|
|||
|
|
27.995 (1985)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
COMMUNICATIONS
|
|||
|
|
Railroads: 2,892 km total (1986); 1,914 km 1.000 meter gauge,
|
|||
|
|
978 km 1.676 meter broad gauge
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Highways: 7,240 km total (1985); 3,840 km paved, 3,400 km unpaved
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Inland waterways: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes
|
|||
|
|
2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Ports: Chittagong, Chalna
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Merchant marine: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
|
|||
|
|
339,081 GRT/500,008 DWT; includes 38 cargo, 2 petroleum, oils, and
|
|||
|
|
lubricants (POL) tanker, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 3 bulk
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Pipelines: 1,220 km natural gas
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Civil air: 15 major transport aircraft
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Airports: 16 total, 12 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways;
|
|||
|
|
none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with
|
|||
|
|
runways 1,220-2,439 m
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Telecommunications: adequate international radio communications and
|
|||
|
|
landline service; fair domestic wire and microwave service; fair
|
|||
|
|
broadcast service; 241,250 telephones; stations--9 AM, 6 FM, 11 TV;
|
|||
|
|
2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth stations
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
DEFENSE FORCES
|
|||
|
|
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary forces--Bangladesh
|
|||
|
|
Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Coastal Police
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Manpower availability: males 15-49, 28,896,632; 17,154,593 fit for
|
|||
|
|
military service
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Defense expenditures: $319 million, 1.5% of GDP (FY91)
|
|||
|
|
|