Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country in southern Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with over 166 million people, and has the world's largest Muslim population. Bangladesh is bordered by India to the west, north, and east, and Burma to the southeast. It is separated from Nepal and Bhutan by the narrow Siliguri Corridor. Bangladesh is the third-largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations. The region that is now Bangladesh has a long and rich history, dating back to the 3rd century BCE when the region was part of the Mauryan Empire. The region was later ruled by the Buddhist Pala Empire and the Hindu Sena dynasty. Islam arrived in the region during the 8th century CE, and the region became part of the Muslim Sultanate of Bengal. The region was ruled by the Mughal Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries. The British East India Company annexed the region in the 18th century, and it became part of British India. Bangladesh achieved independence from Britain in 1947. The country has a tropical climate, with a monsoon season that lasts from June to October. Bangladesh is prone to floods and cyclones. The country's economy is mostly based on agriculture, with rice as the main crop. Bangladesh is also a major exporter of jute. The country has a growing industrial sector, with textiles and shipbuilding as the main industries. Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and the United Nations. The country is also a founding member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.