Guide to Bangladesh

Full Name: People's Republic of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan)

Location: South Asia, bordered by India, Burma and Bengal

Population: 158.6 million (UN, 2007)

Capital and largest city: Dhaka

Area: 143,998 sq km (55,598 sq miles)

Major language: Bengali (Bangla), English widely spoken

Major religions: Islam, Hinduism

Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 65 years (women) (UN)

Nationality: Bangladeshi

Currency: Bangladesh Taka (BDT) 1 taka = 100 paisa
Notes are in denominations of BDT500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of BDT5 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 paisa.

Note: Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of Dhaka.

Internet domain: .bd

Country Dialling Code: + 880

Voltage: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the British 5- and 15-amp, two- or three-pin (round) type.

Flying time: 9 hours from London to Dhaka and 23 hours from New York

Main Airport: Dhaka International (DAC)

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +6

Weights & Measures: Metric

Best time to go: April is too hot and too humid for comfort but October to February is far more comfortable. May to June is the cyclone season.

Climate: Bangladesh has a sub tropical climate. It is hot (32°C) and rainy in the summer (March to June), a rainy monsoon season (June to October) when 80 per cent of the rain falls, and has dry winters (October to March). The coolest month is January where temperatures over around 10°C.

Bangladesh has more than its fair share of floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes and floods every year.

Health: Visitors to Bangladesh must seek medical advice. Precautions that are likely to be required are, Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Malaria, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever.

Everyone (including kids) entering Bangladesh must show a yellow fever certificate. Without this you could face a six day quarantine.

Entry/Visa: A valid passport with at least three months left before expiry is required. A visa is required. For UK passport holders this costs £40 for single entry.

Top tips:
- If you visit someone's home feel free to sit crossed-legged on cushions and sofas.

- Never give money as a gift as this offends.

26 March 2008