World Guide

Bangladesh

Country · Asia, Southern Asia

Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban
Pictured: Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban · Photo: MD SAIFUL AMIN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located in Southern Asia, Bangladesh shares borders with India and Myanmar. The country covers 147,570 square kilometers and has a population of about 176 million people, with Dhaka serving as the capital.

Highlights

The fact sheet covers 15 top sights across the country. In the capital, Dhaka, visitors can see the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the historic Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, the Dhakeshwari Temple, and the Bangabhaban, along with the area of Old Dhaka. Beyond the capital, the country features the UNESCO-listed Somapura Mahavihara, the ancient site of Mahasthangarh, and the Varendra Research Museum. Religious and historic architecture includes the Bagha Mosque and Gauḍa. For those visiting the Chittagong area, highlights include Foy's Lake, the Karnaphuli river, and the Chittagong War Cemetery. The Tin Bigha Corridor is also listed.

Food and drink

Local cuisine includes dishes such as Sandesh, Pithali, and Soft Khichuri. Travelers might also sample Sunga pitha and Bogurar doi.

When to go

The weather in Dhaka is best from December through February, when temperatures are cooler, ranging from 13 °C to 27 °C, and rainfall is minimal. The climate becomes hot starting in March, with temperatures rising above 30 °C. From May through September, the city experiences heavy rainfall, with as many as 30 days of rain per month.

Practical notes

The official language is Bangla and the currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT). The country operates on 220 volts using plug types A, C, G, and K. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. The time zone is UTC+06:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Bangladesh

  • Sandesh
  • Pithali
  • Soft Khichuri
  • Sunga pitha
  • Bogurar doi

Top sights in Bangladesh

  1. Jatiya Sangsad BhabanJatiya Sangsad BhabanDhaka
  2. Ahsan ManzilAhsan ManzilDhaka
  3. GauḍaGauḍa
  4. Lalbagh FortLalbagh FortDhaka
  5. Somapura MahaviharaUNESCOSomapura MahaviharaBogura
  6. Dhakeshwari TempleDhakeshwari TempleDhaka
  7. Tin Bigha CorridorMekhliganj
  8. BangabhabanBangabhabanDhaka
  9. Old DhakaOld DhakaDhaka
  10. MahasthangarhMahasthangarhBogura
  11. Foy's LakeFoy's LakeChittagong
  12. KarnaphuliKarnaphuliChittagong
  1. Chittagong War Cemetery · Chittagong
  2. Varendra Research Museum · Rajshahi
  3. Bagha Mosque · Rajshahi

Weather by month

The warmest month is April, with an average high of 33 °C. The wettest is July, with about 404 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C242731333231313131302825
Average low, °C131620242526262625231915
Rainfall, mm923681382723604043213131643211
Rainy days2391525283030281942

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Dhaka (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories