
Bangladesh Geography
Bangladesh Geography: A summary of information about Bangladesh Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Bangladesh: Geography
Location
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Geographic coordinates
24 00 N, 90 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
total: 144,000 sq km land: 133,910 sq km water: 10,090 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Land boundaries
total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Coastline
580 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate
tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terrain
mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Natural resources
natural gas, arable land, timber
Land use
arable land: 73% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 15% other: 5% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
31,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely flooded during the summer monsoon season
Environment - current issues
many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; limited access to potable water; water-borne diseases prevalent; water pollution especially of fishing areas results from the use of commercial pesticides; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation; deforestation; severe overpopulation
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea