Travel Guides: Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh (topvisit.net)

Bangladesh is a landlocked country in South Asia.

It is adjacent to India almost entirely with the exception of the south-east which is adjacent to Burma and in the south it is adjacent to Burma Bay. Due to the unification with the Indian state of West Bengal was created a region called Bengal. Bangladesh means in the Bengali language “State of Bengal”. Regional boundaries that formed today’s Bangladesh were established in 1947 by the Indian side reaching on the east side of the new state of Pakistan. Unification was based mainly on common religion of the two states, namely that of Islam. The divide of the territory of India is guided by this religion so the majority is hold by the Hindu people and the majority of population by Islam.
Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into existence only in 1971 after a brutal civil war, which separated the two sides. Bangladesh has existed for 15 years under military rule and, although democracy was restored in 1990, it remains an unstable political scene. Most of the country is made of the plains of the Ganges River and the Brahmaputra, which form the largest delta in the world. Water flow is surpassed only by the Amazon River. East of the delta is the hilly land Chittagong. Floods are a common fact; people adapt their lifestyles to these phenomena. Bangladesh landscape is predominantly flat with plains covered with many bamboo, mango and palm trees, fed by the great river system Bahmaputra – Grabge. In the south-west of the country, the Sundarbans is one of the world’s largest mangrove forests, the area being habitat for many wild animals including the Royal Bengal tiger, the country’s national animal.

Today Bangladesh is one of the densest populations in the world and suffers from poverty, although population growth was reduced and was improved the educational system. In recent years, there were political tensions and travelers are advised to visit only the essential attractions – Chittagong hilly region because of the risk of being caught in conflicts between rival tribes, settlers and the army. Main attractions: In Dhaka, the historic city and capital of Bangladesh, you can visit the historical center. Buildings of interest include seventeenth-century Lalbagh Fort, the Palace Museum and Ashan Manzil (Pink Palace), Chott Katra and a large number of mosques. North of the historic district are European or British cities, where are the Banga Bhavan, the presidential palace, several parks and Dhakeswari Temple.

Visit the Dharnarajika Buddhist Monastery near Central Station, where is the stone statue of Buddha, 1,000 years old. You can visit Mohamed Khan Mosque and Mausoleum of Pari Bibi Mirdha, and Baldha Gardens with a collection of rare plants. You can visit dozens of mosques and bazaars (special is the Kashaitully Mosque). Take a historical journey in Sonargaon, at 3 0km east of Dhaka, the capital of the region between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries. The city retains a number of interesting historical relics. Other Hindu temples you can see in Dhamrai, north-west of Dhaka. At about 43 km from Sylhet are the ruins of Jaintiapur, the capital of the ancient kingdom.

Although often ignored by tourists, Rajshahi Division in north-west of the country contains a large number of archaeological sites. Most important is at Paharpur, where you can see the Buddhist monastery and temple Somapuri Satyapir Vita. Here there is a museum. Other interesting places in the region include ancient settlement Shepur Hindu, near Bogra, Mahastanagar, dating from the third century BC, Vasu Vihar, at 14 km north-west, where there is an ancient monastery in ruins, Rajshahi, the Ganges, with a museum that has artifacts from the region and Gaur, located very close to the Indian state of West Bengal, and where you can see several old mosques.

Places of interest include the mosque in south-western Bagerhat town and village Gumbad, where was born a famous mystic, Khan Jahan Ali. In the south, discover the pre-Mongol two mosques. First, the new domes Guarnadi Qasba village and the other, built in 1464, is near Patuakhali. The historic center of the city Chittagong, the second largest in the country, keeps many European settlements, especially the Portuguese, and many mosques. Among are included Shahi Jama mosque Masjid-e, seventeenth century and Mubareq Qadam. Amana Shah Dargah is a holy shrine located in the heart of the city. At about 8 km from Chittagong is the picturesque lake Foys. Tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami is a holy shrine situated on a hill in Nasirabad, 6 km northwest of the city. At its heart is a large pool with a few turtles.

Let yourself be enchanted by the scenery and waterfalls at Madhabkunda, north of Dhaka. Perched artificial Kaptai Lake, north-east of Chittagong, Rangamati is a place with beautiful scenery and a tribal society untouched by civilization. Tamabil offers superb views of the surrounding area, including the spectacular waterfalls across the border with India. Zaflong is a picturesque place nearby, located amidst tea gardens and beautiful hills. In Rajendrapur National Park, 50 km north of the capital, you can watch various species of birds. Madhupur National park and game sanctuary is located 160 km from Dhaka.

Follow the royal Bengal tigers, the country’s national animal, the Sundarbans National Park, an excellent example of the lush coastal vegetation and wildlife – deer, monkeys and a large variety of birds. Here’s the largest mangrove forest in the world. The park is located in Khulna Division, which consists mainly of jungle and swamp land. Tours are organized by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, in the winter, or you can rent a boat from Khulna or Mongolia, the main port of Khulna region. If you want to relax on the beach, head to Kuakata, a modern resort located in the southernmost point of land, in the Patuakhali district. Here you can see the unique lifestyle and traditions of tribes Rakhane.11