Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/20.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 12KB | 323 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Bangla.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Bangladesh"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Bangladesh, click {z,"78.455130,14.318075,102.118379,32.495833",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 144,000 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 133,910 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly smaller than Wisconsin

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 4,246 km
{3}border countries:{4} Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 580 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 18 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} up to the outer limits of the continental margin
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} a portion of the boundary with India in dispute; water-sharing problems with
upstream riparian India over the Ganges

{2}Climate:{4} tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); cool,
rainy monsoon (June to October)

{2}Terrain:{4} mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
{3}lowest point:{4} Indian Ocean 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Reng Tlang 957 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} natural gas, arable land, timber

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 67%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 2%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 4%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 16%
{3}other:{4} 11%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 27,380 sq km (1989)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land;
limited access to potable water; water-borne diseases prevalent; water pollution especially of
fishing areas results from the use of commercial pesticides; intermittent water shortages because
of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation;
deforestation; severe overpopulation

{2}natural hazards:{4} droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely flooded during the summer
monsoon season

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 123,062,800 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 39% (male 24,434,219; female 23,436,359)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 58% (male 36,607,942; female 34,603,628)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 3% (male 2,175,017; female 1,805,635) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 1.85% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 30.5 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 11.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.04 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.06 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 1.2 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 102.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 55.86 years
{3}male:{4} 56.02 years
{3}female:{4} 55.69 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 3.57 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Bangladeshi(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Bangladesh

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than 1 million

{2}Religions:{4} Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, other

{2}Languages:{4} Bangla (official), English

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 38.1%
{3}male:{4} 49.4%
{3}female:{4} 26.1%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} People's Republic of Bangladesh
{3}conventional short form:{4} Bangladesh
{3}former:{4} East Pakistan

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Dhaka

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 4 divisions; Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi
{3}note:{4} there may be two new divisions named Barisal and Sylhet

{2}Independence:{4} 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 26 March (1971)

{2}Constitution:{4} 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24
March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times

{2}Legal system:{4} based on English common law

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991) was elected for a five-
year term by National Parliament; election last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held by NA
October 1996); results - Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary vote
{3}head of government:{4} Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammad Habibur RAHMAN (since 31 March
1996) was appointed by the president (see note under Legislative branch entry)
{3}cabinet:{4} Advisory Council was appointed by the president on 3 April 1996

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad): elections last held 15 February 1996 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (330 total, 300 elected and 30 seats reserved for
women) seats by party NA; note - the election was held despite the fact that it was boycotted by
the major opposition parties; Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAur RAHMAN's party won a landslide
victory, but, under continuing pressure from the opposition, who called for an annulment of the
results, National Parliament passed a bill that established a caretaker government to oversee new
elections on a date yet to be determined; President BISWAS then dissolved Parliament and
named a caretaker prime minister to replace Prime Minister ZIAur RAHMAN

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court, the Chief Justices and other judges are appointed by the
president

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda ZIAur RAHMAN;
Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina WAJED; Jatiyo Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD (in
jail); Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Motiur Rahman NIZAMI; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP),
Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); Workers Party, Rashid Khan
MENON; Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (JSD), Serajul ALAM KHAN; Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami
Oikya Jote, leader NA; National Democratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Muslim League, Khan A.
SABUR; Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; United People's Party, Kazi
ZAFAR Ahmed

{2}International organization participation:{4} AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIH, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP,
UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Humayun KABIR
{3}chancery:{4} 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone] through 8376
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Los Angeles and New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador David N. MERRILL
{3}embassy:{4} Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka
{3}mailing address:{4} G.P.O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000; Dhaka 1212
{3}telephone:{4} [880] (2) 884700 through 884722
{3}FAX:{4} [880] (2) 883-744

{2}Flag:{4} green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green is the traditional color of
Islam


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic
and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely
populated, and least developed nations. Annual GDP growth has averaged over 4% in recent
years from a low base. Its economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, with the cultivation of rice the
single most important activity in the economy. Major impediments to growth include frequent
cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state-owned enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that
cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), inadequate
power supplies, and, most recently, political disturbances. In 1995, progress on Bangladesh's
development agenda has been slowed by frequent political unrest before and after national
elections in early 1996. Opposition parties have challenged the government's authority by
resigning from Parliament and sponsoring numerous countrywide strikes that have crippled
transport, hindered business activity, and threatened to slow economic growth in 1996.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $144.5 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 4.6% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $1,130 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} NA%
{3}industry:{4} NA%
{3}services:{4} NA%

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 4.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 50.1 million
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 65%, services 21%, industry and mining 14% (1989)
{3}note:{4} extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} NA%

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $2.8 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (FY92/93)

{2}Industries:{4} jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 8.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 2,740,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 9.2 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 70 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; beef, milk, poultry

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries

{2}Exports:{4} $2.7 billion (1995 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} garments, jute and jute goods, leather, shrimp
{3}partners:{4} US 33%, Western Europe 39% (Germany 8.4%, Italy 6%) (FY91/92 est.)

{2}Imports:{4} $4.7 billion (1995 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} capital goods, petroleum, food, textiles
{3}partners:{4} Hong Kong 7.5%, Singapore 7.4%, China 7.4%, Japan 7.1% (FY91/92 est.)

{2}External debt:{4} $15.7 billion (1995 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $1.099 billion (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 taka (Tk) = 100 poiska

{2}Exchange rates:{4} taka (Tk) per US$1 - 40.933 (January 19965), 40.278 (1995), 40.212 (1994),
39.567 (1993), 38.951 (1992), 36.596 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} 1 July - 30 June


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 2,892 km
{3}broad gauge:{4} 978 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,914 km 1.000-m gauge (1992)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 13,627 km
{3}paved:{4} 8,546 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 5,081 km (1992)

{2}Waterways:{4} 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes)

{2}Pipelines:{4} natural gas 1,220 km

{2}Ports:{4} Chittagong, Dhaka, Chalna Port (Mongla)

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 296,503 GRT/423,274 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 3, cargo 29, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 3 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 15
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 4
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 6 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 249,800 (1994 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4}
{3}domestic:{4} poor domestic telephone service
{3}international:{4} satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone
communications and landline service to neighboring countries

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} NA

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 11

{2}Televisions:{4} 350,000 (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh
Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps)

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 31,795,848
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 18,814,818 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $481 million, 1.7% of GDP (FY95/96)