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- Bangladesh
Bangladesh
From elaborately detailed clothes and ornately decorated taxis
to crowded cities packed bumper to heel and temple to mosque,
Bangladesh is bursting at its seams. So much detail packed into
such little area. An eclectic near 160 million people cram into a
tight 55,600 square miles (144,000 km) of land.
Although Bangladesh has stunning sites from the world's most
famous rivers, to the world's longest beach, ancient ruins and
sacred religious sites, all uncorrupted by commercialised tourism,
the visiting traveller is rare enough to cause a commotion on the
streets. The capital Dhaka is usually the tourist's port of entry.
Here a hectic city centre comprises a pattern of narrow and cramped
streets between a sprawl of low buildings.
Perhaps taking a cue from the cyclones, whirlwind politics sweep
the national parties into frenzies. Since a bloody struggle for
independence with Pakistan ended in 1971, power has bounced from
coup to counter coup until landing at parliamentary democracy and
relative stability in 1991. This isn't without its shake-ups as
corruption and political violence are rife and the government was
suspended in a state of emergency until new elections in 2008.
Development is sometimes difficult as the country is often
recovering from devastating floods and cyclones. The rivers of the
Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna spread their waters into the world's
largest delta. Monsoon rain and Himalayan ice melt flood the river
banks annually. This provides fertile soil and lush vegetation for
the mostly flat country, but also a hard pattern of life.
Features such as South Asia's largest shopping mall stand in
testament to recent economic growth. Beginnings of foreign
investments are giving Bangladesh a much needed bump into the world
economy but it is also constructing a paradoxical society. At one
end, steadily growing industries are trying to pull away from the
country's vast majority of the poorest people at the other. City
development gives visitors a tourist infrastructure within major
cities but very little elsewhere.
Bangladesh will likely remain a country very few tourists will
visit, buy those that do, presuming they possess an open mind, will
seldom forget the experience.
Information & Facts
Climate
Bangladesh has a very wet climate defined by its subtropical
monsoon seasons. Most the rain falls June to October followed by a
dry season through March. March through June has the highest
temperate and humidity. The average temperature for this time is
above 90
°F (32
°C) and hottest in April. Annual rainfall is usually in
excess of 79 inches (200 cm). Bangladesh is prone to annual
cyclones and floods. Coastal areas are especially hit by cyclones
from April to May.
Communications
The international access code for Bangladesh is
+880. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code
(e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom) and city codes are in use (e.g.
2 for Dhaka). Dial up internet connections are found in larger
towns and cities. Most cell phones work on a GSM network with
prepaid SIM cards.
Customs
The left hand is considered unclean and generally isn't
used to greet people or pass food. It is common to eat with one's
hands. Women should dress conservatively and often don't shake
hands with men in greetings. People are addressed with a suffix
denoting their relative age so addressing unknown people as older
brother or sister is common. Bangladesh is an Islamic and a male
dominated society despite having prominent women in
government.
Duty Free
Travellers to Bangladesh may bring with them 200 Cigarettes/50
Cigars/0.5 pounds (225g) of tobacco, an amount of perfume
reasonable for personal use, and gifts of up to 500BDT in value.
Non-Muslims may have two bottles of liqour.
Electricity
Electrical current in Bangladesh is 220 Volts, 50Hz.
Round pin plugs, flat blade plugs, triangular three round pin plugs
and parallel flat pins with grounding pin plugs are all
common.
Health
Medical facilities aren't close to the quality of most western
hospitals and travellers with serious conditions should seek help
outside of the country. Before travellers arrive they should
consult a physician four to six weeks in advance to receive
necessary immunisations and begin taking anti-malaria and typhoid
medication. Malaria medication is needed for all areas outside of
Dhaka. Make sure all ordinary immunisations are current. Hepatitis
A and B immunisations are recommended as well as rabies and
Japanese encephalitis for travellers to rural communities and the
outdoors. Tuberculosis is also on the rise in Bangladesh.
Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common affliction. Make sure to
drink bottled water and keep sceptical of undercooked foods. A
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers
older than one year of age arriving from a yellow-fever infected
area.
Language
The official language of Bangladesh is Bangla. The
language is central to their national identity. English and Urdu
are often understood.
Money
The currency in Bangladesh is the Bangladesh Taka (BDT).
There are ATMs in major cities but credit cards are usually only
accepted in Dhaka. Banks and large stores will accept travellers
cheques. The best exchange rate is found in private shops.
Travellers are not allowed to leave with more currency than what
they declare on arrival. Banking hours are 9 am to 3 pm, Sunday to
Thursday.
Passport Visa
Most nationalities require a visa which is valid for 90 days
travel six months from issue date. Passports must be valid within
three months of departure date. Although some visas are available
on arrival these are limited and inconsistently 'given out'. Visa
fees depend on embassy and nationality. Israelis are denied entry.
A return or onward ticket is required and departure tax depends on
onward destination.
Safety
The security situation in Bangladesh is fluid and travellers
should contact their local embassy for advice closer to the time of
travel. All protests should be avoided in case they turn violent.
Chittagong Hill Tracks should be avoided by all tourists as they
have had recent political unrest and violence. Armed robbery and
theft is a problem especially in poor urban areas. Pickpocketing
and purse snatching are common and directed at foreign travellers.
Travellers should avoid walking or taking public transport at night
because of crime. However city transport can be dangerous due to
road and traffic conditions at all times. Ferries also result in
fatalities each year. Monsoon season cyclones and flooding are a
threat especially on coastal regions and near rivers.
Time
Local time in Bangladesh is GMT/UCT + 6 hours
Tipping
Tipping in Bangladesh is not expected but welcome.