Bangladesh is a country located between the Bay of Bengal and the Indochina Peninsula. It is officially called the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and literally named the land of Bengal. Its closest neighbor is Burma; it is a country that emerged from the partition of India in the mid-19th century. It was also called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1956.
What you need to know about Bangladesh
The capital and largest urban area of Bangladesh is Dhaka and the country’s area is 147,570 km2. The Bengalis or Bangladeshis number 162,650,853 inhabitants, implying a density of 1,251 inhabitants per km2. The country is a member of AIIB, APSCO, INBAR, CIR. The official currency of the country is Taka and the telephone code is 880 or 00880 or +880.
Table – Bangladesh: Geographical and demographic information
| Element | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Total area | 148,460 km² |
| Capital | Dhaka (Dacca) |
| Neighboring countries | India, Burma (Myanmar) |
| Coastline | About 580 km on the Bay of Bengal |
| Estimated population | ~173 million inhabitants (2025) |
| Population density | > 1,100 inhabitants/km² (one of the highest in the world) |
| Relief | Alluvial plains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, hills in the southeast |
| Climate | Humid tropical: monsoons, frequent floods |
| Official language | Bengali |
| Economic resources | Textiles, agriculture (rice, jute, tea), fishing |
| Particularity | Country highly exposed to cyclones and rising waters |
Additional points on the map of Bangladesh
- Bangladesh is located in South Asia, almost entirely landlocked by India.
- Its physical map is dominated by the fertile plains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra delta.
- The southeast hosts the Chittagong Hills and the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove in the world.
- Dhaka is one of the most densely populated capitals in the world.
- The country’s geographical position makes it very vulnerable to climate change.
Which countries border it?
The map of Bangladesh illustrates a densely populated South Asian country, almost entirely bordered by India, and sharing a short border in the southeast with Burma. To the south, it opens onto the Bay of Bengal, with the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove on the planet.
Population of Bangladesh
The population of Bangladesh reaches about 176 million inhabitants in 2025, with an annual growth of 1.2%. The median age is 26 years, reflecting a young population. The fertility rate has dropped to 1.9 children per woman. Life expectancy is progressing to about 74 years (73.6 years for men and 76.9 years for women). The migration balance remains negative, around –400,000 people per year. The population is composed of nearly 99% Bengalis, with ethnic minorities representing just over 1%.
What are the colors of the Bangladesh flag?
The flag of Bangladesh is a rectangular flag consisting of a green background on which a red disc is printed. This disc is slightly offset towards the hoist side. The red symbolizes the blood of the martyrs shed during the battle of Pakistan. The green represents fervor, freshness, and agricultural lands.
The main things to visit in Bangladesh
Cox’s Bazar
Located in the Chittagong region, the city was formerly called Panowa. It is a city with multiple thermal stations and also contains the largest beach in the world. The coastline measures about 75 miles, which makes Cox’s Bazar very popular with tourists. It is also a fishing village and the territory of the Buddhist monastery. You can also see several works of art there, and the city’s cigars are renowned worldwide for their quality. They are sold everywhere by street vendors and ordinary shops.
Bogra
This city is located near Dhaka, the Bengali capital. It is an interesting city because it attracts many tourists thanks to its ancient monuments. Among them is the old archaeological site dating from the 3rd century called Mahasthangarh. Other sites in the old city are Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist sites. Bogra also has a very large temple as well as a very old royal castle.
Dhaka
The capital of Bangladesh is both its cultural, economic, and university center. It is an essential city as it is the center of all administrative, festive, and cultural activity in the country. Among the country’s attractions are the national memorial, the parliament residence, the pink mansion, Lalbagh Fort, Balgha parks, the Hatir Jheel basin, and the ruins of Maynamati.
Mymensingh
Rich with 200 years of storytelling, politics, and knowledge, the city of Mymensingh is a breathtaking city. It is located a few kilometers from the Brahmaputra, a magnificent river. You can find cultural sites, museums tracing the history of the region, as well as natural parks for picnicking. Walk along the riverbanks to reach Gajani Park. Then, head to Jalchhatra, which is an old historic town, and you can even take a boat for a crossing along the Brahmaputra. Outside the city lies the Bengali calvary also known as Nakshikantha.
Paharpur
Paharpur is a small town near Jamalganj station where the remains of the Buddhist monastery, which once had all its splendor, can still be seen. This monastery is called Somapura and was built on more than 27 acres of land. It is an 8th century site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Near this archaeological site is a museum collecting ancient objects that trace the history of the region and allow visitors to immerse themselves in the country’s past.
Where the cities are located on the map of Bangladesh
Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar is a city located in the south of Bangladesh, in the district of the same name. Geographic coordinates: 21° 35′ N, 92° 01′ E.
Bogra
On the map of Bangladesh, the city of Bogra is located inland, in the north-central part of the country. Geographic coordinates: 24° 51′ N, 89° 22′ E.
Dhaka
The capital of Bangladesh is located on the western banks of the Buriganga River, in the heart of the country. Geographic coordinates: 23° 42′ 00″ N, 90° 22′ 30″ E.
Mymensingh
The city of Mymensingh is located in the center of the country, about 120 km from the capital. Geographic coordinates: 24° 44′ 58″ N, 90° 24′ 11″ E.
Paharpur
Paharpur is located in the northwest of the country, in the district of Naogaon. Geographic coordinates: 25° 02′ 00″ N, 88° 59′ 00″ E.
Economic map of Bangladesh
Blank map of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a developing country, still classified among the lower middle-income countries. Its GDP per capita remains low on the Asian scale, around 2,300 USD nominal and 7,800 USD in purchasing power parity (PPP). This is lower than India, but slightly higher than Pakistan.
Economic growth remains sustained, with an annual rate around 6% on average in recent years, despite a temporary slowdown linked to global crises. The economy is dominated by the service sector (50% of GDP), followed by the textile industry which accounts for more than 80% of exports. Bangladesh is in fact the 2nd largest textile exporter in the world after China.
About 24% of the population still lives below the poverty line, mainly in rural areas, where agriculture remains essential. This relies on rice cultivation, vegetable farming, and fruit production (mangoes, bananas, jute, vegetables). The country also benefits from its abundant and cheap labor force, but the skill level remains limited.
Economic Characteristics of Bangladesh (2025)
- Current currency: Taka (BDT)
- Nominal GDP: ~ 460 billion USD
- GDP (PPP): ~ 1,060 billion USD
- Annual GDP growth: ~ 6%
- Population below poverty line: ~ 24%
- HDI: 0.663 (2023)
- Unemployment rate: ~ 4.5%
Bangladesh Climate Map
Bangladesh experiences a humid tropical climate, marked by three main seasons:
- Summer (March to May): hot and dry, with average temperatures around 33 °C, reaching up to 43 °C in the northern part of the country.
- Monsoon (June to October): period of heavy rains, flooding, and risks of tropical cyclones. Temperatures remain high (30–35 °C) with very high humidity.
- Winter (November to February): milder and drier season, with temperatures ranging between 10 °C at night and 24–26 °C during the day.
In the central and northern regions, the climate tends towards humid subtropical, while the south is fully tropical, with more precipitation and daytime temperatures close to 30 °C.
The flat topography of Bangladesh, dominated by the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta and its thousands of estuaries, makes the country extremely vulnerable to flooding, cyclones, and storms. Natural disasters are frequent, especially during the monsoon.
In summary, the climate of Bangladesh is characterized by:
Short, dry, and milder winters, but with cool nights.
Very hot summers, especially in the north.
Intense monsoons, causing recurrent flooding.
Administrative and Demolinguistic Data
Administrative Subdivisions
The first levels of subdivisions in Bangladesh are the Bibhag or Divisions (numbering 8).
There are then the districts (numbering 64) which are subdivided into 492 sub-districts. The sub-districts are in turn subdivided into 4554 union councils and 327 municipalities and 12 municipal corporations: all at the same level. The last level of subdivision is the neighborhood or village.
Here are the 8 divisions:
- Barisal Division
- Chittagong Division
- Dhaka Division
- Khulna Division
- Mymensingh Division
- Rajshahi Division
- Rangpur Division
- Sylhet Division
Demolinguistic Data
The official language in the country is Bengali, which belongs to the Indo-European language family. Speakers of this language represent 80% of the population. In the country, Bengali is called Bangla; the language has similarities with Latin, English, French, or Sanskrit languages.
Bengali varies according to 6 dialects:
- Central Bengali or Standard Bengali
- Western Bengali
- Southwestern Bengali
- Northern Bengali
- Eastern Bengali
- Southeastern Bengali
FAQ – Bangladesh map: 3 questions
Bangladesh is in South Asia, between India and Myanmar, on the edge of the Bay of Bengal.
The capital is Dacca (Dhaka), a very populous megacity.
The country is dominated by the Ganges and Brahmaputra delta, with fertile plains but prone to flooding.
