Welcome to Bangladesh

With an estimated population of over 147 million people packed into a country the size of a small US state (144,000 square kilometeres), Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries of the world.

Formerly a province of India, this country has realized two stages of independence, becoming East Pakistan in 1947, and then Bangladesh in December of 1971.

A large majority of the population lives in the rural sector where they endeavor to survive through subsistence farming and fishing. Over 50% of the people live on an income of less then one US dollar a day.

While there have been many improvements over the last decade, the country of Bangladesh is still rated among the poorest nations in the world.

To help provide income for her family this girl spends her days making "dung sticks" used for cooking fuel.

With over 1000 people per Sq. Kilometer, land and marine resources are over exploited and daily nutritional rates are extremely low.

90% of the land area of Bangladesh is situated on a vast alluvial delta where the flat countryside rarely rises ten meters above sea level. With the yearly monsoon rains comes vast flooding as the river system overflows their banks.

This is both a blessing and a curse. While the floods destroy crops and endanger the lives of people and animals, the annual deluge also brings fertility to the soil, allowing for rich crops through the rest of the year without the use of expensive fertilizer.

Rice is a staple in the diet and is one of the largest and most important crops in Bangladesh.