Bangladesh is among the most densely populated countries in the world and has a high poverty rate. Bangladesh's relationship with India began on a positive note because of India's assistance in the independence war and reconstruction. Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products; some common ones are Rashogolla, Chm and Kalojam. Bangladesh's textile industry, which includes knitwear and ready-made garments along with specialised textile products, is the nation's number one export earner.



Bangladeshis regard democracy as an important legacy of their bloody war for independence and vote in large numbers. Bangladesh introduced the caretaker system in 1991 after military president Hossain Mohammad Ershad was toppled through a people's uprising led jointly by Khaleda and Sheikh Hasina, who now heads the main opposition party, the Awami League.

Bangladesh is a developing country with poor infrastructure. Bangladesh is ranked 27th out of 30 countries in the Asia Pacific region. Bangladesh has ratified all the main international human rights treaties. After its independence, Bangladesh became a parliamentary democracy, with Mujib as the Prime Minister. Meanwhile the Bangladesh Military has expressed their interest in controlling the country with statements like "own brand of Democracy" and making changes in the constitution to allow military participation in politics.

Straddling in the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladeshi climate is tropical with a mild winter from October to March, a hot, humid summer from March to June. The region has been a source for ethnic tension since the inception of Bangladesh. The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage, which Bangladesh shares with the Indian state of West Bengal. Due to a number of factors, Bangladesh's labor-intensive agriculture has achieved steady increases in food grain production despite the often unfavorable weather conditions. Currently, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs generally suffer from lack of funding as many banks are reluctant to invest in industry and have instead turned their attention to consumer credit.

1974, Pakistan agreed to recognize the independent state of Bangladesh. In addition, the Consulate Generals complement the efforts of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC to advance the economic, cultural, immigration and other interests of Bangladesh in the United States. The first government of the new nation of Bangladesh was formed in Dhaka with Justice Abu Sayeed Choudhury as President, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ("Mujib")--who was released from Pakistani prison in early 1972--as Prime Minister.

Subsequently, the Anti-Corruption Commission has filed more corruption cases against Bangladesh's two most influential political leaders.