Bangladesh – language

If you ever decided to check the place of origin of your clothes, you probably happened to come across information that they were made in Bangladesh. It shouldn’t be surprising, as the country is one of the most important clothing manufacturers in the world. But do you know anything else about it, would you be able to point it out on the map, or do you know what language its citizens speak? If not, it’s time to change that! 

In this article, you will find not only information about the Bengali language. We talk about the country itself, its geography, history, and politics, as well as about the basic issues that must be considered before going there. Let’s start!

Bangladesh – key information

First, some basic facts about Bangladesh:

• Bangladesh is a country in southern Asia, bordering India to the east, west, and north, and Burma to the south.
• The full name of the country is the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• The population is approximately 170 million people, making it the eighth most populous and one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
• The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka, one of the largest cities in the world with a population of over 20 million people.
• The country suffers from overpopulation, lack of education, and poverty, as well as problems related to the quality of life of its people.
• At the same time, Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing countries in Asia, gaining importance in the global economy.
• The most important factor contributing to the economic growth of the country is the development of clothing production for export, counted in millions of dollars annually.
• Bangladesh has a rich history and culture linked to Bengal’s Muslim heritage, which has contributed to the development of arts, music, and literature in the country.
• The country suffers from climate-related problems such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, which often lead to material and human losses.
• The official language is Bengali and the majority of the population is Muslim.

Geography

Bangladesh has a flat topography, with predominantly lowland areas less than 10 meters above sea level. Located there, the delta of the Ganges, Bramaputra and Meghna covers most of the country and flows into the Bay of Bengal.

The climate in Bangladesh is hot and humid. It’s characterized by two seasons: rainy and dry. The country also experiences floods, cyclones, and droughts, which affect people’s lives and the country’s economy.

Bangladesh is home to many rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and forest areas. The country is also home to numerous wildlife such as tigers, Indian rhinos, Indian elephants, and many species of birds.

Political system

Since 1991, Bangladesh has been governed by a parliamentary democratic system, with the president as head of state and the prime minister as head of government. Executive power is located in the government, which is responsible for conducting domestic and foreign policy as well as managing the day-to-day affairs of the country.

The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) and the Rajya Sangsad (Senate). Members of Parliament are elected in universal elections every five years.

Although Bangladesh is officially recognized as a parliamentary republic, in reality political power is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister and his political party. 

The country’s authorities are criticized by the international community for non-compliance with human rights and problems related to freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

Administrative division

Bangladesh is divided into eight administrative districts, called divisions, which are further subdivided into 64 districts.

Each district is governed by a deputy commissioner, who is appointed by the government and is responsible for coordinating government activities at the district level. In addition, each district is divided into sub-districts, lower administrative units, and then into so-called upazila or thana, which are the lowest administrative units.

Economy

The state’s economy is based mainly on agriculture and the clothing industry, but sectors such as tourism, fishing, IT, and the pharmaceutical industry are also being developed.

Agriculture is one of the main sectors of the economy, as it employs more than half of the working population. The main crops are rice, cereals, vegetables, tea, cotton, and jute.

The clothing industry is the second-largest sector of the economy and the country is the second-largest exporter of clothing in the world, producing clothes for many well-known international brands.

Other important industry sectors include the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, machinery, and electronics industries. The country also has natural resources such as natural gas and coal, which allows for the development of the energy industry.

In recent years, Bangladesh has also placed increasing emphasis on the development of the IT sector and outsourcing services, which contribute to the country’s economic growth. Tourism is also an important sector of the economy, with over a million tourists visiting the country each year.

Brief history of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a long and turbulent history. The country was dominated by various powers, including the Mughal Empire and the British, before gaining independence in 1971.

In 1947, India was partitioned and Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan, was annexed to Pakistan, but there were many struggles over the next few decades for sovereignty and equality for the Bangladeshi people who made up the majority of the population.

After a war with Pakistan that saw around three million people die, Bangladesh declared independence in 1971. Over the next few years, the country tried to rebuild its economy and infrastructure, as well as develop its culture and language.

After gaining independence, Bangladesh has experienced several military coups and other political problems. In 1991, the presidential system was replaced by a multi-party system, and since then the country has undergone many political and economic reforms.

Currently, Bangladesh is a developing country that is trying to modernize its economy and improve the living conditions of its people. The country also plays an important role in the region as a trade and strategic partner.

Official language of Bangladesh

The official language in Bangladesh is Bengali. Apart from it, several other minority languages are also used, such as Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya, Urdu, and others. English is also widely used in the business sector, public administration, and higher education.

Other than that, a small Wakhi community living mainly in the Hunza River valley in northern Pakistan has its own distinct Wakhi language.

Bengali language

Bengali is an Indo-European language spoken primarily in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. It is also one of the most spoken languages in the world, as it is spoken by more than 250 million people.

Bengali has a separate alphabet consisting of 11 vowels and 39 consonants. It is written from left to right, and the individual letters join together to form different shapes.

Bengali has many dialects, but the most popular is the Kolkata dialect (also known as standard or literary dialect), which is used in literature, media, and public administration. Other popular dialects include: Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Sylhet dialect.

The Bengali language has a rich literature that dates back to the 11th century. Famous Bangladeshi writers include Rabindranath Tagore, who was the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, and Kazi Nazrul Islam, a famous poet and writer.

The Bengali language is an important element of Bangladeshi culture and plays a key role in shaping the national identity of the people of Bangladesh.