Geography of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a small country with an extraordinarily rich and diverse geography, despite covering an area of only 147,570 square kilometres. Located in South Asia at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is surrounded almost entirely by India, with a small border with Myanmar to the southeast. Its geography is defined by three great river systems — the Padma (Ganges), the Jamuna (Brahmaputra), and the Meghna — which together create one of the world’s most fertile and densely populated deltaic plains. Understanding Bangladesh’s geography is essential for the DU Admission examination.
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Key Geographic Facts:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area | 147,570 sq km |
| Location | 20°34’N–26°38’N, 88°01’E–92°41’E |
| Borders | India (4,096 km), Myanmar (271 km) |
| Coastline | Bay of Bengal (580 km) |
| Capital | Dhaka |
| Major Rivers | Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, Surma, Karnaphuli |
| Highest Point | Keokradang (1,230 m) |
Key Features:
- Largest delta in the world (Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, also called the Sundarbans delta)
- 92% of Bangladesh is floodplain
- Sundarbans — largest mangrove forest in the world
- Vulnerable to cyclones, flooding, and sea-level rise
⚡ Exam Tip: Bangladesh is almost entirely surrounded by India, except for a small southeastern border with Myanmar and a maritime border with India in the Bay of Bengal. Remember this geographic fact.
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1. Rivers and the Delta
Bangladesh’s geography is dominated by its rivers, which originate in the Himalayas and carry vast quantities of water and sediment into the country.
The Three Great Rivers:
- Padma (Ganges): Enters Bangladesh from India and joins the Meghna near Bhramanhat
- Jamuna (Brahmaputra): Enters as the Jamuna; joins the Padma to form the Lower Meghna
- Meghna: Formed by the confluence of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in eastern Bangladesh; joins the Padma and Jamuna to form the world’s largest delta
The Delta: The Bengal Delta is the world’s largest river delta, formed by the deposition of enormous quantities of sediment carried by these rivers. The delta is extraordinarily fertile, supporting one of the world’s highest population densities. The active delta is constantly shifting, creating new land (chars) and eroding old land.
Mekong of Bangladesh — the Buriganga: The Buriganga (“old Ganges”) flows past Dhaka, historically the main channel of the Ganges. It is now heavily polluted due to urban and industrial waste from Dhaka.
2. Regions of Bangladesh
The Northern Highlands: The northwest of Bangladesh contains the Madhupur Tract and Barind Tract — elevated areas of older, harder soils that remain above the floodplain. These areas are more susceptible to drought than the rest of the country.
The Coastal Zone: The southern coast of Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal is characterised by:
- The Sundarbans — the world’s largest mangrove forest; UNESCO World Heritage Site; home to the Bengal tiger
- Low-lying islands ( chars) that are constantly being formed and eroded
- Cyclone-prone coastline — Cyclone Amphan in 2020 caused catastrophic damage
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT): The southeastern region of Bangladesh bordering Myanmar is home to the country’s only significant hills. It is inhabited by various indigenous groups (Jumma peoples — Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and others) who have historically had a complex relationship with the Bengali-majority state.
Chittagong: Bangladesh’s main seaport city (2nd largest city) and industrial centre. The Karnaphuli River flows through the city. The region is surrounded by hills and has a distinct microclimate.
3. Climate and Weather
Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons:
Summer (March–May): Hot and humid; temperatures can reach 40°C; pre-monsoon thunderstorms (kalbaishakhi) are common.
Monsoon (June–October): The southwest monsoon brings 80% of annual rainfall (1,500–3,000 mm); floods are a regular occurrence.
Winter (November–February): Cool and dry; temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C; relatively dry.
Climate Change Vulnerability: Bangladesh is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries:
- Sea-level rise threatens the low-lying delta
- Increased frequency of cyclones
- Melting Himalayan glaciers increase monsoon flooding risk
- Increased salinity intrusion in coastal areas
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4. The Sundarbans — Environmental Heritage
The Sundarbans is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world, covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres of Bangladesh and India.
Key Features:
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1992 and 2017)
- Home to the Bengal tiger (Royal Bengal Tiger) — approximately 100 tigers in the Bangladesh portion
- Supports enormous biodiversity: dolphins, crocodiles, birds, and fish
- Provides critical protection to coastal Bangladesh from cyclones and storm surges
- The Sundarbans Mangrove Forest is the 7th-largest protected area in the world
Threats:
- Climate change and sea-level rise
- Cyclone damage (Cyclone Amphan in 2020 caused extensive damage)
- Illegal logging and hunting
- Pollution from shipping in nearby ports
5. Key Statistics and Resources
Natural Resources:
- Arable land: Approximately 50% of Bangladesh is cultivated
- Natural gas: Significant natural gas reserves in the northeastern region (Sylhet)
- Coal: Hard rock coal in the northwest (Barapukuria)
- Water: Abundant surface water resources; significant groundwater
Major Crops:
- Rice (Boro, Aman, Aus — Bangladesh’s staple food)
- Jute (historically the most important export)
- Tea (grown in the Sylhet region)
- Vegetables and fruits
Administrative Division: Bangladesh is divided into 8 divisions and 64 districts (zilas), with Dhaka being the largest city and capital.
Exam Watch: The Sundarbans, the delta system, and Bangladesh’s climate vulnerability are commonly tested in the DU exam. Be sure to know the Sundarbans as a UNESCO site and its significance as the world’s largest mangrove forest.
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