Basic Characteristics of Bangladesh

Economy
Economy

Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest nations, with overpopulation adding to its
economic woes, and it is heavily reliant on foreign aid. The country's economy is based
on agriculture. Rice, jute, tea, sugarcane, tobacco, and wheat are the chief crops.
Bangladesh is the world's largest producer of jute. Fishing is also an important economic
activity, and beef, dairy products, and poultry are also produced. Except for natural gas
(found along its eastern border), limited quantities of oil (in the Bay of Bengal), coal, and
some uranium, Bangladesh possesses few minerals.

Economy - overview:

Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and

demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely
populated and least developed nations. The economy is largely agricultural, with the
cultivation of rice the single most important activity in the economy. Major impediments
to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, the inefficiency of state- owned
enterprises, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays
in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), inadequate power supplies, and slow
implementation of economic reforms. Progress on other economic reforms has been
halting because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other
vested interest groups. Severe floods, lasting from July to October 1998, endangered the
livelihoods of more than 20 million people. Food grain production fell by 4 million tons,
forcing Dhaka to triple its normal food grain imports and placing severe pressure on
Bangladesh's balance of payments. The floods increased the country's reliance on large-
scale international aid. So far the East Asian financial crisis has not had major impact on
the economy.

Way of life. Most Bangladeshis farm the land with simple tools and ancient methods,
much as their ancestors did many years ago. Since the mid-1970's, however, there has
been increasing use of fertilizers and new kinds of seeds. About 70 per cent of all adult
Bangladeshis cannot read and write.

About 82 percent of the people of Bangladesh live in rural areas. Clusters of Thatch-
roofed houses dot the nation's countryside. Most rural villagers build homes made of
bamboo. A typical home consists of only one or two rooms. Few homes in rural areas
have electricity or plumbing.

Most of the families in the cities and towns live crowded together in small wooden
houses. Some wealthy city families have large brick or concrete homes. In urban slums,
the houses are builds of cardboard, scraps of wood, or sticks. Most Hindus and members
of other minority groups live together in distinct neighborhoods.

Many of the people of Bangladesh do not have enough food to eat. Although food
product has increased since the mid- 1970's, the nation neither raises nor imports enough
to feed its large population. Few Bangladeshis have much variety in their meals. Rice and
fish are the tow most important foods. They are usually served together in a spicy curry
sauce. Tea sweetened with sugar is a popular beverage, though some people may drink
only water most of the time.

People throughout Bangladesh war loose, lightweight clothing because of the warm,
humid climate. Most of the women wear a sari, a long piece of plain or printed cloth
wrapped around the waist and draped over one shoulder. A short blouse in worn
underneath. Many Muslim men wear a lungi, a tight skirtlike garment. The dhoti, worn
by Hindu men, is a piece of cloth, wrapped around the waist and between the legs. Men
may also wear shirts. People of rural areas generally go barefoot. City dwellers may wear
shoes or sandals.

Bangladeshis like to spend their leisure time chatting with friends and relatives. The
men usually gather in cafes, and the women visit one another at home. The people enjoy
the festivities held during various Muslim and Hindu religious holidays.

Religion affects much in the lives of most Bangladeshis, including food, marriage
customs, and family relationships. About 90 per cent of the people are Muslims. The laws
of Islam, the Muslim religion, forbid the eating of pork; Most Muslim parents arrange
marriages for their children. Most Muslims men in Bangladesh are too poor. The men in
a Muslim family have far more authority and freedom than the women have. Many
Muslim women avoid social contact with men who do not belong to their family, and
they participate in few activities outside the home. They cover their heads with veils in
the presence of strangers. In 1988, a constitutional amendment made Islam the state
religion of Bangladesh.

Less than 10 per cent of the people of Bangladesh are Hindus. Hindus are divided into
various social classes called castes. Each caste observes its own customs and rules of
behavior. Caste regulations limit the extent to which members of one caste may associate
with members of another cast. Hindu parents also arrange their Children's marriages.
Intermarriage between castes in rare. Hindu women have few legal rights.

Most of the ethnic groups of the Chittagong Hills area practice Buddhism. Some groups
combine Buddhist principles with local religious beliefs. Less than 1 per cent of the
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people of Bangladesh are Christians.