General information Land - Bangladesh,officially People's Republic of Bangladesh, republic (1995 est. pop. 128,095,000). A humid, low-lying, alluvial region, Bangladesh is composed mainly of the great combined delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Except for the Chittagong Hills along the Myanmar border, most of the country is no more than 300 ft (90 m) above sea level. Bangladesh is laced with numerous streams, distributaries, and tidal creeks, forming an intricate network of waterways that constitutes the country's chief transportation system. Climate - Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate with a distinct dry season in the winter. It receives an average annual rainfall of 80 in. (203 cm), with most falling during the summer monsoon period; the Sylhet district in the northeast is the wettest part of the country, having an annual average rainfall of 140 in. (356 cm). The low-lying delta region is subject to severe flooding from monsoon rains, cyclones, and tidal waves that bring major crop damage and high loss of life. People - Bangladesh is one of the world's ten most populated countries and has one of the highest population densities (about 2,100 people per sq mi/810 people per sq km). The great majority of Bangladesh's population is Bengali, although Biharis and several tribal groups constitute significant minority communities. About 88% of the population is Sunni Muslim and over 10% is Hindu. Bengali is the nation's official language, and English is used in urban centers. Bangladesh has a predominantly rural population, with over 60% of the workforce engaged in agriculture. Religion - Freedom of religious practice is enshrined in the Constitution. Major religions include Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. Sights Lalbagh Fort - It was built in 1678 A.D. by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. The fort was the scene of bloody battle during the first war of independence (1857) when 260 sepoys stationed here backed by the people revolted against British forces. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh are the tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady), Lalbagh Mosque, Audience Hall and Hammam of Nawab Shiasta Khan now housing a museum. National Museum - The Museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods as well as inscriptions of the Holy Quran in Arabic and persian letters and Bengali works in the Arabic script. The Museum also has a rich collection of old coins, metal images; books on art, ivory and silver filigree works. National Park - Situated at Rajendrapur, 40 km due north of Dhaka, within Joydevpur Police Station in the magnificent Bhawal region of Dhaka-Trishal- Mymensingh highway, this is a vast (1,600 acres) national recreational forest, ideal for those who love nature. Botanical Garden - Built over an area of 205 acres of land at Mirpur just east of the Zoo. Objective of garden - botanical education researches preservation of plants and some recreation. Central Shahid Minar - This Monument is the symbol of Bangladesh Nationalism. It was built to commemorate the martyrs of historic Language Movement of 1952. Although this movement was apparently for the recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of the then Pakistan, it was in fact, the first outburst of popular feelings against unpopular and autocratic government. All subsequent movements in Bangladesh leading to its independence in 1971, owe their origin to this movement and, therefore, this monument has become a place of pilgrimage for 120 million Bangladesh. Sonargaon - About 29 km from Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva Dynasty until the 13th century. From then onward till the advent of the Mughals, Sanargaon was a subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bangal. Among the ancient monuments still intact are the Tomb of Sultan Ghiasuddin (1399-1409 A.D.), the shrines of Panjpirs and a beautiful mosque in Goaldi Village. A folk-art Museum has been established at Sonargaon.