Bangladesh (BD)
Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south. Dhaka is one of the world's most densely populated megacities and the country's economic engine. For expats, Bangladesh offers extremely low living costs, a rapidly growing economy particularly in garment manufacturing and IT services, and a warm, hospitable culture — though navigating bureaucracy, traffic congestion, and infrastructure limitations requires patience and preparation.
Climate
March–May: 25–38°C. Hot and increasingly humid. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms (Kalbaishakhi / Nor'westers) bring brief but violent storms in April–May. Avoid outdoor work in midday heat.
June–September: 27–35°C. Monsoon season with heavy rainfall. Dhaka receives 1,500–2,000mm annually, most falling June–August. Flash flooding is common. Roads flood. Pack waterproofs and expect transport delays.
October–November: 20–30°C. Post-monsoon. Clear skies, lower humidity. One of the most pleasant times to visit. Festival season (Durga Puja, Eid). Rivers still high.
December–February: 10–22°C. Cool and dry in the north; milder in the south. Dense fog common in northern districts in January. Best season for travel and outdoor activities.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
"Assalamu Alaikum" (Islamic greeting, means "Peace be upon you") is the standard greeting — respond with "Wa Alaikum Assalam." Among Hindus, "Namaskar" is used. Men typically shake hands; women may not initiate a handshake with men — wait for their lead. Address elders and seniors with respect (Bhai/Apa for younger people; Sir/Ma'am in formal contexts).
Bangladeshi social time is flexible — arriving 30–60 minutes late to social gatherings is common and accepted. Business meetings in multinationals run closer to schedule. Government and bank appointments: arrive early and expect to wait significantly. Always confirm meetings on the day.
Conservative dress is essential, especially for women. Cover shoulders and knees in public. Women wearing a headscarf (hijab) will receive more respectful treatment in traditional areas. Men should avoid shorts in conservative neighbourhoods. Smart formal wear for business. Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques.
- ✕ Never refuse food or drink offered by a host — it is considered deeply disrespectful. Accept with your right hand.
- ✕ Use only the RIGHT hand for eating, passing items, and handling money — the left hand is considered unclean.
- ✕ Do not publicly criticise Islam or Islamic practices — this can have serious legal consequences.
- ✕ Avoid public displays of affection between genders — even holding hands is frowned upon in conservative areas.
- ✕ Do not enter a mosque without removing shoes and, for women, covering the head.
- ✕ Photography of military installations, government buildings, or in some tribal areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts requires permission.
- ✕ Alcohol is restricted in Bangladesh — only available at licensed hotels and to non-Muslims. Do not drink in public.
- ✓ Hospitality is a cornerstone of Bangladeshi culture — guests are treated with great generosity. Expect to be offered tea and food at every visit.
- ✓ Bargaining is expected at markets, with rickshaws, and with local transport. Never pay the first price quoted.
- ✓ Bangladeshis are curious and friendly — expect personal questions about family, salary, and marital status. This is friendly, not intrusive.
- ✓ Friday is the Islamic day of prayer — many businesses close or reduce hours. Plan accordingly.
- ✓ Traffic in Dhaka is extremely heavy — build in significant buffer time for all appointments. Rickshaws can be faster than cars in congested areas.
- ✓ bKash (mobile banking) is used for almost everything — from paying rent to street food. Set it up as soon as possible.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
The national fish of Bangladesh, cooked in mustard sauce or with coconut. Deeply revered — Bangladeshis are passionate about their hilsa. Eaten with steamed rice.
Slow-cooked mutton or beef layered with fragrant rice, sealed and cooked in its own steam. Dhaka's Kacchi biryani is considered among the finest in South Asia.
Red or yellow lentil soup tempered with mustard seeds, garlic, and dried chilli. Eaten daily across all households as an affordable, nutritious staple.
Spiced rice-and-lentil dish, often eaten during rainy season with fried fish and pickled vegetables. A beloved comfort food across Bangladesh.
Traditional rice-flour cakes made during winter festivals, especially Poush Parbon (harvest festival). Includes patishapta (crepes with coconut filling) and bhapa pitha (steamed cakes with molasses).
Rich curries cooked with onions, ginger, garlic, and whole spices. Particularly popular at Eid al-Adha celebrations. Roadside restaurants (dhabas) serve excellent meat curries at low prices.
Thick sweet black tea brewed with milk — the national drink consumed multiple times daily. Roadside tea stalls (chayer dokan) are social hubs across every neighbourhood.
Fresh sugarcane crushed with ginger and lemon on street-side presses. Refreshing in the heat. Popular across markets and railway stations.
Yogurt-based drink, served sweet or salted. A refreshing alternative to tea, popular in summer months and at Bangladeshi sweets shops (mishti-r dokan).
📍 Tourist Highlights
The world's largest mangrove forest, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. A UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning the Bay of Bengal delta — accessible by boat tour.
The world's longest natural sea beach — 120km of unbroken sandy coastline. Popular domestic tourist destination with affordable seafood and beach resorts.
The tea capital of Bangladesh. Rolling hills covered in manicured tea gardens, with the famous seven-layer tea at Nilkantha Tea Cabin. Cooler climate and lush greenery.
Ruins of the largest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas (8th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once one of the greatest centres of Buddhist learning in Asia.
A 15th-century mosque with 77 domes — the largest medieval mosque in Bangladesh. A masterpiece of Sultanate-era architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
📖 Brief History
The Bengal region has one of Asia's oldest civilisations, home to the ancient Pala Empire and the Mughal Sultanate of Bengal. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan on 26 March 1971 following the Liberation War, in which millions died. After independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the new nation before his assassination in 1975. The country has since grown from one of the world's poorest nations into a lower-middle-income economy, driven largely by the ready-made garment industry, which accounts for over 80% of export earnings.