BANGLADESH 
Bangladesh was formed in 1971, when the east Pakistan Province declared their independence on March 26. They warred with the central Pakistan government, and became financially separate later that year (December 16) with financial help from India .
Geography
Covering about 580 km of coastline along the Bay of Bengal is Bangladesh . A low lying country, Bangladesh has trouble with flooding. This is due to the number of rivers in the country and the fact that most of the habitable areas are found on a delta, one formed by the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers.
Climate
Warm temperatures are found year-round throughout Bangladesh, with not much change, although January seems to be the coolest month (66° F/19° C) while May tends to be the warmest (84° F/ 29° C). Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall for the year occurring during the monsoon period. The average precipitation ranges from as much as 200 inches (5,080 mm) to as little as 55 inches (1,400 mm).
Flora/Fauna
The Bengal tiger is found in the Sundarbans, while the Chittagong Hill Tracts are home to elephant herds and leopards. Bangladesh is also home to other animals such as the Bengal fox, jackal, vulture, swamp crocodile, parakeet, mongoose and kingfisher. With 109 indigenous mammal species, 684 types of birds, 119 varieties of reptiles, 200 different kinds of marine and freshwater fish as well as 19 different amphibians. A common mammal is the rhesus monkey with other common animals being lemurs and gibbons.
Language
Bangla, also known as Bengali, is the official language of Bangladesh . It has it's own script (from Sanskrit) and over 98 percent of the population speaks this as their first language. The remaining population speaks Urdu, mostly those who immigrated from India during the 1940's.
Religion
Almost 90 percent of Bangladesh 's population adhere to Islam, with most of this number following the Sunni branch. Most of the remaining population following Hinduism, with even fewer numbers of Buddhists, Christians, and animists.
Places of tourist attraction in Bangladesh:
DHAKA
The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka with its exciting history and rich culture, known the world over as the city of mosques and muslin; it has attracted travelers from far and nearer throughout in all the ages. It has a history dating back to earliest time. Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all spheres of life. It is the centre of industrial commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for Bangladesh . Some of the outstanding tourist attractions of Dhaka are: Mosque: Seven domed Mosque (17th century), Rose Garden (Rajbari), Atia Mosque (Mugal Element), Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Star Mosque (18th century). Hindu Temples: Dhakashwari Temple (11th Century), Ramkrishna Mission. Churches : Armenian Church (1781). St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Church of Bangladesh or former St Thomas Cathedral Church (1677) at
CHITTAGONG - GATEWAY TO THE BAY OF BENGAL
With a picturesque hinterland of large hill forests and lakes. Chittagong is a good vacation spot. It is the second largest city of Bangladesh and a busy of Bangladesh and a busy international sea port. Its green hills and forests, broad sandy beaches and fine cool climate always attract holiday makers.
Places of Interest:
Sharine of Byazid Bostami
This holy shrine attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims. At its base there is a large tank with several hundred tortoises floating in the water.
Foy's Lake
Set amidst panoramic surroundings, this ideal sport for outings and picnics is thronged by thousands of visitors.
Ethnological Museum
A unique treasure house of variety of tribal culture and heritage of Bangladesh .
Patenga Beach
Sandy beach at the meeting place of the roaring sea and the river Karnaphuli.
Sitakund
About 40 km from Chittagong . This is famous for the Chandranath Hinduy Temple and the Buddist Temple . There is a hot water spring 5 km to the north of Sitakund.
Cox's Bazar
the tourist capital Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colourful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea food this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh . Having the world's longest unbroken (120 km) beach sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep green forests.
RANGAMATI - THE HEART OF THE LAKE DISTRICT
From Chittagong a 77 km. road amidt green fields and winding hills will take you to Rangamati, the headquarters of Rangamati Hill District which is a wonderful repository of scenic splendours with flora and fauna of varied descriptions. The township is located on the western bank of the Kaptai lake.
KAPTAI
A pleasant and picturesque drive of 64 km. from Chitagong brings you to huge expanse of emerald and blue water ringed with tropical forest. It is the famous man made Kaptai lake (680 sq. km) formed by damming the Kamaphuli river. Only 3 km. from Kaptai along Chittagong Road , lies the ancient Chit Morong Buddist temple having beautiful Buddist statues
SYLHET - LAND OF TWO LEAVES AND A BUD
Next to the Hill Tracts, Sylhet is the widely hilly district in the country. Nestled in the picturesque Surma valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forest, it is a prime attraction for all tourists. Its terraced tea gardens, eye catching orange groves and pineapple plantations and hills covered with tropical forests form a beautiful landscape.
MAINAMATI - SEAT OF LOST DYNASTIES
About eight km. to the west of Comilla town which is situated 114 km south east of Dhaka lies a range of low hills known as Mainamati-Lalmai ridge, an extensive centre of Buddhist culture. On the slopes of these hills lie scattered a treasure of information about the early Buddhist cMlization (7th-12th Centure A.D.).
RAJSHAI - A NATURAL SILK PRODUCING CENTRE
Rajshahi has seen the most glorious periods of Bengal 's Pala dynasty. It is famous for pure silk, mangoes and lichis. Attractive silk products are cheaper. A visit to Varendra Research Museum at the heart of the city of rich archaeological finds, would be most rewarding. There are also a number of ancient mosques, shrines and temples in and around Rajshahi.
PAHARPUR - THE LARGEST BUDDHIST SEAT OF LEARNING
Paharpur is a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj in the greater Rajshahi district where the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas has been excavated. This 7th century archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land.
MYMENSINGH - THE HEART OF BENGAL 'S FOLKLORE
From the foot of the Garo Hills in the north down to the plains of Dhaka in the south lies greater Mymensingh. Along the northern frontier of the district there are many aboriginal tribes such as Garos, Hajongs and Kochis who are ethnically quiet distinct from the people around them. Mymensingh has earned a notable position in Bengali literature as the birth place or rich folklores and folk songs.
DANCE
Classical forms of the sub continent predominate in Bangladeshi dance. The folk, tribal and middle eastern traits are also common. Among the tribal dances, particularly popular are Monipur and Santal.
MUSIC
The music in Bangladesh can be divided into three distinct categories classical , folk and modern. The classical music, both vocal and instrumental is rooted in the remote past of the sub continent. Ustad Alauddin Khan and Ustad Ayet Ali Khan are two names in classical instrument music who are internationally known. Folk song nurtured through the ages by village poets, rich in devotional musticism and loveres is popular in Bangladesh . The best known forms are Bhatiali, Baul, Marfati, Murshidi and Bhawaiya, Lalan, Hansan Raja, Abbasuddin and Abdul Alim are four great manes in flok song. Modern Bengali song pioneered by Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam blended western and Middle Eastern traits with traditional forms.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Fairs and festivals have always played a significant role in the life of the people of the country. Brief information on the important and regular festivals is given below. It may not be out of place to mention here that besides these, there are various fairs and exhibitions held during the winter (November - March).
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