POPULATION 133,377,000
MUSLIM 88 percent
HINDU 10 percent
OTHER 2 percent

Country Overview

Introduction

Located in South Asia, the People's Republic of Bangladesh is bordered to the west, north, and east by India and to the southeast by Myanmar (Burma). It spreads across a low-lying delta region where three great rivers—the Meghna, Brahmaputra, and Ganges—meet and flow into the Bay of Bengal. Because politically and culturally Bangladesh was once part of the greater region of Bengal (along with parts of the present-day Indian states Assam and West Bengal), there are many cultural values shared among ethnic Bengalis in India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Most are Sunni. Although its inhabitants are primarily Muslim, Bangladesh has a diverse cultural past and present, reflected in the ruins of ancient Hindu temples, as well as Buddhist monasteries and stupas, found throughout the country. More than...