According to physicscat, in 2013, Bangladesh was a populous nation located in South Asia with a population of 156 million people and a GDP of $127.6 billion, ranking it 85th in the world. The capital Dhaka is a bustling city full of colonial architecture and modern infrastructure that attract millions of visitors every year. Bangladeshi culture is varied; traditional festivals feature music, dance and art while modern music concerts are also popular. Bangladeshi cuisine is diverse and includes dishes such as Biriyani (spiced rice with meat) and Halwa (sweet dessert). Sport plays an important role in Bangladeshi life; cricket tournaments are held throughout the year while football (soccer) is widely enjoyed by spectators. In 2013, Bangladesh hosted several major international events such as the Asian Games which attracted athletes from over 50 countries to compete in various sports. The country has strong links to its neighbours through trade links and membership of organisations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Bangladesh has made considerable progress in 2013. The economy has grown by 6.5%, and the government has launched a number of initiatives to reduce poverty, improve healthcare and education, and promote investment in the private sector. This has resulted in increased foreign investment, improved infrastructure, and increased access to electricity which has improved living standards for many people. In 2013 Bangladesh also made strides in environmental sustainability; the government implemented a number of initiatives such as renewable energy projects, waste management programmes and water conservation efforts which have helped to reduce pollution levels across the country. Additionally, Bangladesh is working towards achieving its Millennium Development Goals by 2015; these include reducing poverty levels, improving primary education enrolment rates and reducing child mortality rates. Overall, Bangladesh is making great strides towards becoming a prosperous nation with strong economic growth and improved living conditions for its citizens. It is making significant progress in terms of social development, environmental sustainability and international relations which will ensure that it remains an important player in South Asia for many years to come. In 2014, Bangladesh was a developing nation located in South Asia bordering India, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal. With a population of over 160 million people, Bangladesh was the 8th most populous country in the world and had an area of 147,570 square kilometers. The country is divided into 8 divisions: Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh. Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy and its current Prime Minister is Sheikh Hasina Wajed. The country has a presidential system of government with an elected president who serves as head of state as well as head of government. The President is elected by popular vote and can serve up to two consecutive five-year terms. Bangladesh has a largely agrarian economy with agriculture accounting for around 19% of GDP (2014). Other major industries include textiles/garments (accounting for 80% of total exports), pharmaceuticals and jute goods (accounting for 4% each). The average GDP per capita in 2014 was estimated at $1,270 which placed Bangladesh among the poorest countries in the world. The majority religion in Bangladesh is Islam with 89% of citizens identifying as Muslim while 10% identify as Hindu. Bengali is the official language however English is widely spoken throughout the country due to its widespread use in education and business sectors. Despite having one of the lowest literacy rates in Asia (estimated at 56%), Bangladesh has made significant progress over recent years with an estimated 15 million children now receiving primary education annually (2014). In 2014 there were 6 public universities operating within Bangladesh which offered courses in science/technology, engineering/medicine/arts etc., however due to limited resources these institutions were unable to meet demand for higher education from all sectors of society. In addition there were also several private universities operating throughout the country providing educational opportunities to those who could afford it. Overall, in 2014 Bangladesh was a developing nation with a largely agrarian economy that was facing numerous challenges such as poverty, corruption and poor infrastructure development; however it had also made significant progress over recent years particularly with regards to primary education provision for children from all sectors of society. Check areacodesexplorer for Bangladesh History.