In this article, we explore fun facts about Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Thirty percent of the Bangladeshi population lives below the poverty line. If you want to do more than learn about Bangladesh, you can join us on a teen travel tour to Asia. Here are some key facts about Bangladesh: Key Facts About Bangladesh Details Population 175,390,552 Official Language Bengali Capital Dhaka Currency Taka Term for Bangladesh Resident Bangladeshi Bordering Countries India and Myanmar Get ready to learn 8 interesting facts about Bangladesh. Let’s go!
8 Fun Facts About Bangladesh At 4,000 square miles, the Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest Bangladesh emerged from Pakistan after 1971 independence Bangladesh’s national animal is the Royal Bengal Tiger Bangladesh is the world’s most densely populated nation in the world Bangladesh has 6 seasons The Bengali national cricket team reached international caliber in just 12 years Muslims comprise world’s third-largest Islamic population in Bangladesh Bangladesh grows world’s largest fruit as national symbol
1. The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest, 4,000 square miles In 1987, UNESCO designated the Sundarbans as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spanning 4,000 square miles across the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna River Delta along the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh and India. The world’s largest mangrove forest is home to 96 Royal Bengal tigers, over 400 bird species and the largest population of estuarine crocodiles in South Asia. Scientists have documented 334 plant species thriving in the brackish water ecosystem. The forest’s dense mangrove network absorbs 40% of cyclone impact force. Local authorities restrict visitor access due to extreme weather patterns and complex water channel navigation. Rising sea levels threaten 75% of the forest area. The Sundarbans loses 2 square miles of land annually to erosion. >>Learn about how to tackle local climate challenges! Where are the largest mangrove forests in the world? Rank Mangrove Forest Location Area (sq mi) 1 Sundarbans India & Bangladesh 3,861 2 Amazon Rainforest Mangroves Brazil 3,147 3 Mekong Delta Vietnam, Cambodia, & Laos 1,544 4 Orinoco Delta Venezuela 656 5 Maduganga River Mangroves Sri Lanka 347
2. Bangladesh emerged from Pakistan after 1971 independence The British East India Company seized Bengal through the 1757 Battle of Plassey, beginning 190 years of colonial rule. Pakistan gained control of East Bengal in 1947 when British India’s partition created the country of East Pakistan, separated from West Pakistan by 1,600 kilometers of Indian territory. Cultural tensions erupted into the Bangladesh Liberation War on March 26, 1971. Pakistani forces killed between 300,000 to 3 million Bengali civilians and drove 10 million refugees into India in 267 days. India entered the war on December 3, 1971, bolstering the liberation fight. The Pakistani army surrendered 93,000 soldiers on December 16, 1971, establishing Bangladesh as an independent country. Bangladesh adopted a parliamentary democracy in 1972. Military coups in 1975, 1981 and 1982 installed army rule until democratic elections resumed in 1991. As of December 2024, Bangladesh ranks 118th on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Democracy Index report. 3. Bangladesh’s national animal is the Royal Bengal Tiger The Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh. These tigers reside in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, but their numbers are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. >> LEARN MORE Fun Facts About India. 4. Bangladesh is the world’s most densely populated major nation Bangladesh is the most densely populated country with more than 100 million inhabitants. All those people are packing into a space smaller than U.S. state of Wisconsin. Dhaka is Bangladesh’s capital city and has 21 million residents. The city population grows by 500,000 people annually, making it one of the world’s fastest-expanding megacities. As of 2024, the estimated populations of the world’s ten most populated countries are as follows: India: 1,450,935,791 China: 1,419,321,278 United States: 339,665,849 Indonesia: 281,190,067 Pakistan: 251,269,164 Brazil: 216,801,569 Nigeria: 232,679,478 Bangladesh: 173,562,364 Russia: 145,860,000 Mexico: 133,993,277 5. Bangladesh has 6 seasons The Bengali calendar has six seasons: Grishmo (summer), Barsha (monsoon, or rainy season), Sharot (autumn), Hemant (cool), Sheet (winter) and Bashanto (spring). The rainy season is essential for rice cultivation, the staple food and crop of Bangladesh. Season Bengali Name Time of Year Weather Description Summer Grishmo March to May Hot and dry Monsoon Barsha June to September Heavy rainfall Autumn Sharot October to November Cooler, clear skies Cool Hemant November to January Chilly, dry Winter Sheet December to February Cold, dry Spring Bashanto February to March Mild, pleasant 6. The Bengali national cricket team reached international caliber in just 12 years Cricket is the national sport of Bangladesh, and its national cricket team reached Test status in 2000. Test status is the highest level of recognition for a cricket-playing nation. It’s granted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and allows a country to play Test level matches, lasting up to 5 days per match. Only 12 countries in the world have Test cricket status. Countries with Test level cricket status Rank Nation Year Gained Test Status 1 England 1877 1 Australia 1877 3 South Africa 1889 4 West Indies 1928 5 New Zealand 1930 6 India 1932 7 Pakistan 1952 8 Sri Lanka 1982 9 Zimbabwe 1992 10 Bangladesh 2000 11 Ireland 2018 11 Afghanistan 2018 7. Muslims make up the world’s third-largest Islamic population in Bangladesh The Islamic faith became Bangladesh’s state religion in 1988, with Muslims making up 90.4% of its 156.6 million people. Only Indonesia and Pakistan have larger Muslim populations. Bangladeshi Muslims follow primarily Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school. Religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are national holidays, with businesses closing for several days. One of the country’s most famous sites is Bagerhat, the Historic Mosque City in south-western Bangladesh. While Bangladesh is a Muslim country, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Hindus comprise 8.5% of Bangladesh’s population, followed by Buddhists at 0.6% and Christians at 0.4%. 8. Bangladesh grows the world’s largest fruit as national symbol Bangladesh named the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) the national fruit and the mango tree is the national tree of Bangladesh. A single jackfruit weighs 10 to 25 kilograms and grows up to 90 centimeters long, making it Earth’s largest tree-borne fruit. Bonus Facts: Largest Mangrove Forest: The Sundarbans, spanning 4,000 square miles, is the world’s largest mangrove forest in Bangladesh. Independence: Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a brutal war. National Animal: The Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal, found in the Sundarbans. Densely Populated: Bangladesh is the world’s most densely populated major nation. Six Seasons: Bangladesh has six unique seasons, vital for rice farming. Cricket Success: Bangladesh’s national cricket team achieved Test status in just 12 years. Large Muslim Population: Bangladesh has the world’s third-largest Muslim population. National Fruit: The jackfruit, the largest tree-borne fruit, is Bangladesh’s national symbol.
Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What is Bangladesh’s largest natural wonder?The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is Bangladesh’s most famous natural landmark. Spanning 4,000 square miles, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. 2. Why is Bangladesh so densely populated?Bangladesh has a population of over 170 million in a relatively small area, making it the most densely populated major country in the world. Its capital, Dhaka, alone houses 21 million people, contributing to this density. 3. What is Bangladesh’s national animal?The Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh. These tigers live primarily in the Sundarbans mangrove forest but are endangered due to habitat loss. 4. Does Bangladesh have unique weather?Yes, Bangladesh experiences six distinct seasons, including summer, monsoon, autumn, cool, winter, and spring, which greatly influences the country’s agriculture. 5. How has cricket impacted Bangladesh?Cricket is the national sport, and the national cricket team achieved Test status in just 12 years, marking its rise to international prominence.