Bangladesh occupies the densely-populated Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in South Asia, a low-lying, river-laced country defined by monsoon rains, rice fields and the world's largest mangrove forest.
Geography & landscape
Bangladesh sits in Southern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 147,570 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Dhaka, lies near coordinates 24°, 90°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Southern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Bangladesh.
People & society
The population of Bangladesh is around 170M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Bengali, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Bangladesh is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Dhaka, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Dhaka and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Bangladesh shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Bangladesh through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Dhaka, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +880, and clocks are set to the BST (UTC+6) time zone. ISO standards identify Bangladesh as BD (alpha-2) and BGD (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇧🇩, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Dhaka | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Southern Asia | — |
| Population | 170M | people |
| Area | 147,570 | km² |
| Currency | Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) | — |
| Calling code | +880 | international dialling |
| Time zone | BST (UTC+6) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BD | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BGD | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 24 | degrees |
| Longitude | 90 | degrees |
Did you know?
Bangladesh is home to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and the last natural habitat of the Royal Bengal tiger.
