Geographical Identity of Bangladesh
Dr. Mohammed Shafiullah Mir
Introduction:
'Geography' is a word of Greek origin, which formed combining two words 'Geo' and 'Graphy'. 'Geo'
means the earth and 'Graphy' means description. So, the geography primarily means the description of
the earth. The early Greeks were the first civilization to practice a form of geography. One of the first
Greek geographers was Herodotus (484-425 BC), who wrote a number of volumes that described the
human and physical geography of the various regions of the Persian Empire. Geography studies about
the earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which
we live. Geography is said to be the mother of all natural sciences. It has different branches, such as
Physical Geography, Economic Geography, Political Geography, Mathematical Geography, Regional
Geography, Historical Geography, Plant Geography, Zoo Geography etc. Geography is unique in
bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). Human
geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies and
physical landscapes and the environment. Geography puts this understanding of social and physical
processes within the context of places and regions-recognizing the great differences in cultures,
political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world and the links between
them. Geographical study makes us understand the causes of differences and inequalities among
different places and social groups. Man and the earth and the principal constituents of geography.
Geography is, in the broadest sense, and education for life and for living.
Location of Bangladesh:
Geographically, Bangladesh is located in the south part of Asia continent. The country is extended
from 20 ° 341 to 26° 381 North latitude and from 88 ° 01 1 to 92° 41 1 East longitude. Maximum extension
is about 440 km in the East-West direction and 760 km in the North-South direction. The Tropic of
Cancer passes through the central part of Bangladesh.
Area of Bangladesh:
Bangladesh covers an area of 147570 square kilometers since her independence. The area under rivers
is 9,405 square kilometers and that of the forest is 21,657 square kilometers. After the enclave exchange
between India and Bangladesh in 2015, 42sq. km. has been added with the area of the country and thus
the total area would be 147,612 sq.km (147,570 sq.kn+42 sq. km.). The issue is being discussed below
in brief.
Boundary of Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is surrounded by sea on one side and by various states of India on other three sides. To the
north of Bangladesh, there is West Bengal, Meghalaya and Assam, to the east there is Assam, Tripura
Mizoram, to the west there is West Bengal and to the south lays the Bay of Bengal. Myanmar forms
the southern part of the eastern frontier. The total length of the land border is about 4,246km, of which
93.9% (3963km) is shared with India and about 6.1% (283km) with Myanmar. The length of the
coastline to the south of the country is about 580 km, starting from Satkhira district and ending at
Teknaf of Cox'sbazar district. The territorial sea of Bangladesh extends to 12 nautical miles (22.22
km) acknowledging Sain Martin's island as the south-eastern base point and mid of Hariavanga river's
flow as the south western point according to ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea)
judgments of 2012 and 2013 and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the country extending to 200
nautical miles (370,40 km) in the Bay of Bengal and outer continental shelf includes 460nm.
Ph,·siography:
deals with the processes �nd
� hy or Physical geography is that branch of Geography, which
• iom1p
Ph�·s
its format10n,
patterns in the natural environment. It includes the surface features of the earth such as . .
·
substance, arrangement and changes of natural features with an emphasis · on mode of ongm. Th c
nced by her
agriculture, industry, trade and commerce, transportation etc. of a country are highly influe
Padma
physiographical characteristics. Bangladesh is one of the largest deltas of the world. The
(Ganges) from west, the Jamuna (Brahmaputra) from north and the Meghan from north-eaSt have
together formed this huge delta. Based on the physiographical features, the land of Bangladesh can be
divided into three major units:
i. The Hills of Tertiary Age (66 million years to 2 million years before the present)
ii. The Terraces of Pleistocene Period (2 million years to 0.1 million years before the present)
iii. Recent Plains (began forming about 0.1 million years ago and still being formed).
i. The Hills of Tertiary Age:
These hills were formed along with the formation of Himalayan Mountains. Lusai hills of Assam and
the Arakan of Myanmar are considered to be of the same age. This is divided into two:
A. Hills of South East
Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Coxsbazar and the easter part of Chittagong cover this region.
The average height is 610 metres. The highest peak of Bangladesh 'Bijay Tajingdong' with 1232 metre
height is located in the south-eastern part of this region. There are disputes about the highest peak of
Bangladesh. According to US satellite GPS the highest peak is Saka Happong (Mowdok) with 1064
m., while Tajingdong is of 871 metre and Keokradong is of974 metre height.
B. Hills of North-East
The hills of Sylhet , Moulavi Bazar and Habiganj are not more than 244 metres in height. These are
locally known as Tila (Hillock). The height of these Tilas varies from 30 to90 metres.
ii.The Terraces of Pleistocene Period:
The Pleistocene period is over 25,000 years old. The descriptions of these high lands are given below:
A) The Barind:
The Barind covers and area of9320 sq. kms. Comprising Dinajput, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra,
Joypurhat of Rajshahi division (north-west of the country). The height of this region above the
floodplain is about 6 to 12 metres. The color of the soil is grey and red.
B)The Madhupur and Bhawal Garb:
The Madhupur is situated in Tangail and Mymensingh districts and the Bhawal Garh is located in
Gazipur district. The area is about 4, I 03 sq. kms. The height of this region above the plain land is
about 30 metres. The color of the soil is grey and red.
C)The Lalmai Hills:
Lalmai Hills north-south elongated low hill range of about 17 km long and 1-2.4 km wide and about
8 km westward from Comilla Township is called the Lalmai-Mainamati hill range. The northern
extremity of the hill ranges is at Ranir Bungalow whereas the southern extremity ends at Chandimura.
The northern part of the hill range is locally known as Mainamati, while the southern part is known as
Lalmai. The name Lalmai is probably derived from red soil or from the Lalambi forest (well known
for medicinal herbs), close to DEVAPARVATA, the capital of the Devas of Samatat, was somewhere in
the Mainamati hill.
The Lalnmi hill urea lies betwee
n the lnlitudes 23°20'N to 23 °30'N und longitudes 91 ° 05'E to 91 ° l0'E.
lt Co\'crs an area of nhout :u
sq km. The hill ranges run through the middle of COMILLA district. The
'\' \'1.'r·\�C
' ... h t:'l gll1t 0 t' ti 1e l H'lls ts
' nhout I Sm but some penks rise up to 45111 or more. Most of the hilltops
m� �upped by reddish-brown soil, which makes beautiful scenery of the hill range. These capping
t�ddtsh-bi\)Wn deposits are called l1vlndhupur Formation of Pleistocene age. This Formation at Lalmai
hill mnges is nmkrlnin by ·the DUPI TILA FORI\IATION of Plio-Pleistocene age. The Madhupur and Dupi
Tila Ftmnntions nre scpnrnted hy a grnvel bed, which is called Quartz Chalcedony Gravel Bed. This
boundary can be seen nt Rnnir Bungalow section. At the top of the Dupi Tila Formation, silicified
\\'Ollds can he seen at several plnces of the Lnlmni ranges. Some of the hilltops represent table surfaces
and deeply incised valleys separate the table surfaces from each other. It is assumed that these hill
ranges are thc continuation of the Arnknn Yomn Hill Ranges. Probably, the Lalmai hills were uplifted
in the Middlc Pleistocene time during the final orogcnic movement of the HIMALAYAS. The block
uplitlmcnt of the hill ranges resulted table surface on some tops of the hills. Most of the ancient
Buddhist monasteries arc built on the tops of the hillocks of the Lalmai hill range.
The Rccl'nt Floodplnin:
Except th!! Hills of Tertiary age and the Terraces of Pleistocene period, the whole of Bangladesh is a
plnin land drained by rivers. lnnumernble small and big rivers are found everywhere in Bangladesh.
These rivers tlow through the plain land causing floods during rainy season. This flood plain has been
fi.mncd due to the deposition of the sediments brought down by the rivers for years together. The total
arc of this tlood plain is 1.24,266 sq. kms. This plain land slopes towards the coast from the north of
Bangladesh. l'vlany n1nrshy and low lands are scattered throughout the region. Some of those are known
as bee!. jheel or haor. Of these, the Chalan Beel and Haors of Madaripur and Sylhet are remarkable.
These are submerged during the rainy season and tum into lakes. The soil of the whole flood plain is
very fertile nnd plays and important role in the production ofagricultural corps. The Recent flood plains
can be divided into several divisions:
n. Old Himalaya Piedmont plain of Rangpur and Dinajpur.
b. The flood plain of Dhaka, Tangail, Mymensingh, Pabna, Jamalpur, Comilla, Noakhali and
Sylhet.
c. The Deltnic plain comprising of some parts of Khulna, Rajshahi and Dhaka.
d. The flat Coastal plain of Chittagong extending from the lower part of Noakhali and Feni rivers
to Coxsbaznr.
e. The tidal plain comprising of some parts of Khulna, Patuakhali and Barguna district.
For detailed physiopraphy, the country has been divided into 24 sub-regions and 54 units. Major
regions and sub-regions and detailed below:
(i)Old Himalaya Piedmont plain; (ii) Tista floodplain; (iii) Old Brahmaputra floodplain; (iv) Jarnuna
(Uoung Brahmaputra) floodplain; (v) Haor basin; (vi) Surma-Kushiynra floodplain; (vii) Meghna
floodplain- (a) Middle Meghna floodplain, (b) Lower Meghnn floodplain, (c) Old Meghn Estuarine
floodplain, (d) young Meghna Extuarine floodplain (viii) Ganges River floodplain (ix) Ganges Tidal
floodplain; (x) Sundarbans; (xi) Lower Atrai basin; (xii) Arial bee); (xiii) Gopalganj-Khulna peat basin;
(xiv) Chittagong Coastal plain; (xv) Northern and Eastern Piedmont plain; (xvi) Pleistocene uplands
(a) Barind Tract, (b) Madhupur Tractand (c) Tippem Surface; (xvii) Northern and Eastern hills (a) Low
Hill Ranges (Dupi Tila and Dihing fonnations), (b) High hill or Mountain ranges (Surnm and Tipam
fom1ations).
r
River System of Bungladesh (Hydrography):
River system is a group of rivers discharging water by way of common flow or system of channel into
a sea or a lake. A river system comprises the main rivers and system of channels into a sea or a lake. A
river system comprises the main rivers and their tributaries. Bangladesh is called a land of rivers as it
has about 700 rivers including tributaries. The rivers arc not, however, evenly distributed. For instance,
they increase in numbers and size from the northwest of the northern region to the southeast of the
southern region. The total length of all rivers, STREAMS, creeks and CHANNELS is about 24,140 km. In
terms of catchment's size, river length and volume of discharge, some of these rivers are amongst the
largest on the earth. Usually the rivers flow south and serve as the main source of water for irrigation
and as the principal arteries of commercial transportation. The rivers also provide sweet water fish, an
important source of protein. A large segment of population is thus engaged in the fishing sector. On
the other hand, widespread RIVERBANK EROSION and regular flooding of the major rivers cause
enormous hardship and destruction of resources hindering development. But it is also true to say that
the river system brings a huge volume of new silt to replenish the natural fertility of the agricultural
land. Moreover, the enormous volume of SEDIMENTS that the rivers carry to the BAY or BENGAL each
year (approximately 2.4 billion tons) builds new land along the sea front, keeping hope alive for future
extension of settlement. Finally, during the MONSOON, rivers also drain excess discharge to the Bay.
Thus this great river system is the country's principal resource as well as its greatest hazard. The system
can be divided into four major networks:
(1) Brahmaputra-Jamuna River System ,
(2) The Ganges-Padma System'
(3) The Surma-Meghna River System, and
(4) The Chittagong Region River System..
1) Brahmaputra-Jamuna system' the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river is about 292 km long and extends
from northern Bangladesh to its confluence with the ganges. Before entering Bangladesh, the
brahmaputra has a length of 2,850 km and a catchment area of about 583,000 sq km. The river
originates in Tibet as the Yarlung Zangbo Jiang and passes through Arunachal Pradesh of India as
Brahmaputra (son of Brahma). Along this route, the river receives water from five major tributaries, of
which Dihang and Luhit are prominent. At the point where Brahmaputra meets the tista in Bangladesh,
it is called the jamuna. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna throughout its broad valley section in Assam and in
Bangladesh is famous for its braided nature, shifting sub channels, and for the formation of chars
(island/sandbars) within the channel.
The recorded highest peak flow of Brahmaputra-Jamuna is 98,000 cusec in 1988; the maximum
velocity ranges from 3-4 m/sec with a depth of 21-22m. The average discharge of the river is about
20,000 cusec with average annual silt load of 1,370-tons/sq km. The average slope of the Jamuna is
about 1: 11,400; however, the local gradient differs quite considerably from the average picture.
Within Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna receives four major right-bank tributaries- the
dudhkumar, dharla, Tista and hurasagar. The first three are flashy, rising in steep catchment on the
southern side of the Himalayan system between Darjeeling and Bhutan. The Tista is one of the most
important rivers of the northern region. Before 1787 it was the principal water source for the karatoya,
atrai and Jamuneshwari. A devastating FLOOD of 1787 brought in a vast amount of sand wave through
the Tista and choked the mouth of the Atrai; as a result the Tista burst into the course of the ghaghat
river. The Tista has kept this course ever since. The present channel within Bangladesh is about 280
km long, and varies between 280 to 550 m in width. It joins the Brahmaputra just south of Chilmnri
upazila. The Dh·1rl
' a •·m<l D uc.ti 1 kumar Jlow para II c I to ·,. ,· · · · ·
I 1sta. I he Dharla 1s a fast flowing nver m the
monsoon but with the fall of
water level it becomes braided. The Dudhkumar is a small river and flows
southeast to join the Brahm
aputra. The combined discharge of the Atrai and Karatoya passes through
the Hurasagar to the Jamuna
,
The OLD BRAHMAPUTRA and the DHALESI-IWARI are
the important left bank distributaries of the Jamuna.
Prior lo the 1787 Assam flood, the Brahmaputra was the main channel; since then the river has shifted
its course southward along the Jhcnai and Kanai rivers to form the broad, braided Jamuna channel. The
old course, named the Old Brahmaputra is now essentially a high-flow spill channel, active only during
the monsoon. Taking off at Bahadurabad, the Old Brahmaputra flows southeast, passes by Jamalpur
and Mymensingh towns and joins the Meghna at Bhairab Bazar. Its average gradient is 4.76 cm/km.
Along its southeasterly journey, Dhaleshwari bifurcates at least twice. Two of its important branches
are the Kaliganga and BURIGANGA. The Dhaleshwari eventually meets the Shitalakshya at Narayanganj.
2) The Ganges-Pad ma system' is part of the greater Ganges system. The Ganges has a total length
of about 2,600 km and a catchment area of approximately 907,000 sq km. Within Bangladesh, Ganges
is divided into two sections - first, the Ganges, 258 km long, starting from the western border with
India to its confluence with Jamuna at Goalandaghat, some 72 km west of Dhaka. The second is the
Padma, 126 km long, running from Goalandaghat confluence to Chandpur where it joins the Meghna.
The Padma-Ganges is the central part of the deltaic river system with hundreds of rivers. The total
drainage area of Ganges is about 990,400 sq km of which only 38,880 sq km lie in Bangladesh.
The recorded highest flow of Ganges was 76,000 cumec in 1981, and the maximum velocity ranging
from 4-5 m/sec with depth varying from 20m to 21m. The average discharge of the river is about 35,000
cumec with an approximate annual silt load of 492 tons/sq km. The average gradient for the reach
between Allahabad to Benaras is I: I0,500, from Farakka (India) to Rampur-Boalia in Rajshahi
(Bangladesh) is I: 18,700, from Rampur-Boalia through Hardinge Bridge to Goalandaghat is I :28,000.
The slope flattens to I :37,700 for a distance of 125 km from Goalandaghat to Chandpur. Within
Bangladesh, the mahananda tributary meets the Ganges at Godagari in Rajshahi and the distributary
Baral takes off at Charghat on the left-bank. The important distributaries taking off on the right-bank
are the Mathabhanga, gorai-madhumati, Kumar, and aria) khan.
3) The Surma-Meghna system' the Meghna is the longest (669 km) river in Bangladesh. It drains
one of the heaviest rainfall areas (eg, about 1,000 cm at Cherapunji in Meghalaya) of the world. The
river originates in the hills of Shillong and Meghalaya of India. The main source is the barak river,
which has a considerable catchment area in the ridge and valley terrain of the Naga-Manipur hills
bordering Myanmar. The Barak-Meghna has a length of 950 km of which 340 km lie within
Bangladesh. On reaching the border with Bangladesh at Amalshid in Sylhet district, the Barak
bifurcates to form the steep and highly flashy rivers SURMA and kushiyara. The Surma, flowing on the
north of the Sylhet basin, receives tributaries from the Khasia and Jaintia hills of Shillong. Some of the
important tributaries of these two rivers are Luba, Kulia, shari-goyain, Chalti-nadi, Chengar-khal,
piyain, Bogapani, Jadhukata, Someshwari and kangsa. The Surma meets the Meghna at Kuliarchar
upazila of Kishoreganj district. The Kushiyara receives left bank tributaries from the TRIPURA HILLS,
the principal one being the manu. Unlike the Surma, the tributaries of the Kushiyara are less violent,
although prone to producing flash floods, due in part to the lesser elevations and rainfall of Tripura
hills.
Between the Surma and Kushiyara, there lies a complex basin area comprised of depressions or HAORS,
meandering flood channels, and abandoned river courses. This area remains deeply flooded in the
wet SEASON. The two rivers rejoin at Markuli and flow via Bhairab as the Meghna to join Padma at
Chandpur. The major tributaries of any size outside the Sylhet basin are the Gumti and khowai rivers,
which rise in Tripura. Other hilly streams from Meghalaya and Assam join the Meghna. The total
drainage area of the Meghna up to Bhairab Bazar is about 802,000 sq km, of which 36,200 sq km lie
in Bangladesh. The peak flow of the Meghna is 19,800 cu m/sec, and the maximum velocity range
from 1-2 m/sec with depth varying from 33m to 44m. The average discharge of the river is about 6,500
cu m/sec. It has a steep slope while flowing in the Indian hilly part. At flood stages, the slope of the
Meghna downstream at Bhairab Bazar is only 1 :88,000. In tenns of drainage pattern, the Meghna
exhibits a meandering channel, and at some places it reflects an anastomosing pattern.
4) The Chittagong Region system' the rivers of Chittagong and CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS are not
connected to the other river systems of the country. The main river of this region is karnafuli. It flows
through the region of Chittagong and the Chittagong Hills. It cuts across the hills and runs rapidly
downhill to the west and southwest and finally to the Bay of Bengal. CHITTAGONG PORT is located on
the bank of Karnafuli. The river has been dammed upstream at Kaptai to create a water reservoir for
hydroelectric power generation. Other important rivers of the region are the feni, Muhuri, sangu,
matamuhuri, Bakkhali, and naaf.
The four mighty river systems flowing through Bangladesh drain an area of some 1.5 million sq km.
During the wet season the rivers of Bangladesh flow to their maximum level, at about 140,000 cusec,
and during the dry period, the flow diminishes to 7,000 cusec. All the estuaries on the Bay of Bengal
are known for their many estuarine islands.
Forests:
The Classification of Forests of Bangladesh Where the trees grow in plenty is called the forest. Timber,
honey, bee-wax, etc. are the resources of the forest. Bangladesh does not have sufficient forests. A
country should have 20-25% of forest of the total area of land. But in Bangladesh, it is only 13%. The
increasing population of the country requires valuable timber to make house and furniture. The
requisite timber is collected from the land of forest of the country. As a result, the forest is gradually
being decreased. Different types of forests are created in the different areas of Bangladesh on the basis
of the climate and the variety of soil. The forest areas of Bangladesh are divided into four distinctive
classes - the forest zone of Chittagong, the forest Zone of Sylhet, the Sundarbans, and the forest zone
of Dhaka-Tangail-Mymensingh. As per the characteristics of trees, forests have been classified as
follows: 1. The Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous Forest; 2. The Tropical Deciduous Forest; and 3.
The Mangrove or Goran Forest. 1. The Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous Forest: The hilly regions of
the southeast and northeast of Bangladesh are known as the tropical evergreen and deciduous forest
area. Usually various kinds of trees such as the creeping plants, shrubs, and herbs grow in the hot and
moist areas. The leaves of these trees do not sprout and fall down at a time. As a result, the forest
remains green throughout the year. That is why these forests are called evergreen forest. Chittagong,
Khagrachori, Rangamati, Bandarban and Sylhet are included in this zone. The total area of this forest
is about 14 thousand square kilometers. The chapalish, moina, telsur, mehogani, jarul, segun, gorjan
are the mentionable trees of this region. Bamboos and canes grow in plenty in the hilly region of Sylhet.
Rubber is cultivated in Chittagong and Sylhet zone too. 2. The Tropical Deciduous Forest :
Mymensingh, Tangail, Gazipur, Dinajpur and Rangpur comprise the tropical deciduous forest area. In
the forests of these districts, leaves of the trees fall once in a year in the Winter. Besides the shal or
gozari, the koroi ' bohera, he zoI, sI . . . .
. 1ms, l1orotok"1, Jackfru1t
. , mm etc. trees grow in plenty. In this forest,
as the shal 1s the main tree, 1·t is
· ca 11 e
. d the s11al forest. In Mymensingh, Tangail and Gazipur, this forest
IS known as the Modhupur
Vowal forest, and in Dinajpur, it is called the forest land of Borendra. 3.
The Mangrove or Goran Forest Area: The trees that
grow at the salty and wet soil washed by the ebb
3nd flow of the sea near the seashore of Noakhali and Chittagon
g to the southwest zone of Bangladesh
are called the Mangrove or Goran forest area. It grows in the Sundarba too. On
n the wet and salty soil,
the sundari, gewya, porosh, dhundal, kewra, bayen, goran, etc. trees grow in plenty. Bangladesh has
4, 192 square kilometers of Mangrove or Goran forest area. fn the national life of Bangladesh, the forest
land is important not only for forest resources but also for leading a healthy life in the midst of light,
wind and in the green nature.
The Climate and Natural Disaster of Bangladesh:
A climate implies the daily average state of climate's constituent pervading in a vast region. The
influence of climate over human lives is multifarious and important. Climate somewhat gets varied at
different times over the year due to monsoon. While in the Rainy Season, a heavy rainfall takes place
and vast areas of Bangladesh get overflowed. It causes excessive rainfall and untimely flood. The
change of climate causes different types of natural calamities. The Climate of Bangladesh and of Some
Countries of South Asia The climate of Bangladesh is moderately warn1, humid and equable. The
influence of the monsoon in this region is so high that this climate is known as tropical monsoon climate
as a whole. Three seasons of diverse characteristics are observed in Bangladesh which harmonise the
overall climate of South Asia. Those are the winter, the summer and the rainy season. Disparity in
climate is somehow observed in consideration of season, but no extreme weather is perceived here like
that either of a cold country or of that of the tropical country. In fine, the dry and comfortable winter
season and the hot and moist summer are the main features of the climate in Bangladesh. Features of
climate on the three separate seasons prevail all over Bangladesh are described as follows: The Winter:
The winter extends in Bangladesh from November to February every year. Since the Sun stays in the
south hemisphere, its rays fall obliquely towards Bangladesh and in that time temperature of heat gets
°
reduced in abundance. The highest and the lowest temperature during the winter range from 29 c to
11°c. January is the coldest month in Bangladesh. This month possesses an average temperature of
17.7°c. During this period, the temperature gradually reduces from the seashore at the South towards
North, and equalhot-Iines become largely erect, and stay at the east-west side. In January, an average
° ° °
temperature remains 20 ° c in Chittagong, 19.4 c in Noakhali, 18.3 c in Dhaka, 17.7 c in Bogra and
16.6 °c in Dinajpur. But, sometimes the temperature in the northern zone gets more reduced.
M<7>.Yck-. M.A-:1_ . .
The Summer: The months from .Nov�r to Eeoruary make the Summer Season m Bangladesh. It 1s
°
the hottest season of the year. The maximum temperature in this season remains at 38 C and the
minimum temperature at 21 C. April is the hottest month on an average temperature. The temperature
°
during this season gradually increases from the southern part towards the northern part due to maritime
° °
climate. Such as, an average temperature during April remains 27.64 C in Cox's Bazar, 28.66 C in
Narayanganj and 30°C in Rajshahi. As the Sun draws near the tropic of cancer during the summer time
in the north hemisphere, air pressure gets varied, and the southeast monsoon usually blows over the
territory of Bangladesh. At that time, dry and cold air also blows from the West and northwestern sides.
It is called (Northwester). Besides, the coastal areas of Bangladesh are frequently hit by the devastating
cyclones in April and May due to downward pressure created in the Bay of Bengal. On 29 April 1991,
a cyclone along with tidal wave hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh, particularly Chittagong coastal
zone, and it resulted in a heavy destruction of assets and loss of lives.
The Rainy Season:
The months from June to October cover the rainy season in Bangladesh. This season starts \\ith the
arrival of monsoon at the end of June. During this period, the Sun emits its rays lengthways towards
Bangladesh. That is why an excessive heat is observed here. But a heavy rainfall takes place during
this period which results in increasing temperature not so high, as it was expected for the same; rather
the weather always remains hot. An average temperature during this period remains approximate 27
degree celsius. June and September are the hottest months during the rainy season. A Four-fifths of the
total rainfall takes place during the Rainy Season in Bangladesh. An average rainfall is minimum 119
cm and maximum 340 cm. Comparatively more rainfall happens in the eastern part of the count:r) than
in the western part. For example, the amount of rainfall reaches 114 cm in Pabna, 120 cm in Dhaka,
140 cm in Camilla, 180 cm in Srimongal and 190 cm in Rangamati.
Monsoon Rainfall in Bangladesh:
During this season, rainfall takes place not less than 200 cm anywhere in the country either at the hill
tracts or on the coastal belt. It pours up to 340 cm in mountainous areas of S) lhet, 200 cm in Patuakhali,
250 cm in Chittagong, 280 cm in Ranganrnti and 320 cm in Cox's Bazar.
Impact of Geography on the life and Society:
The geography of Bengal has had important influences on the course of its history. The ri, ers and rains
have facilitated irrigation and agriculture. 80% of population depends upon agriculture directly or
indirectly. The maritime transportation has rapidly been developed because of ha\ ing huge number of
rivers across the country. Rice and fish have been the principal food menu of Bangladeshi people
because of its geographical characteristics. As soil, water and weather of Bangladesh fa, ored the huge
cultivation of rice than the other food grains as well as fish are found everywhere as the count:r)' is a
land of rivers. Since Bangali (Bangladeshi people) is identified by the fish and rice. Bengali people
have been choosing freedom from early historical period. They always prefer to live independently
because of its geographical location. Bengali Rulers in the most cases declared independence against
their Rulers in Delhi, because Bengal province was far away from Delhi. The people living around sea
or forest region are generally become more hard working, courageous than the people of plain land.
Because, every time they have been fighting against difficult situations either in the sea or in the forests,
which naturally make them courageous and hard working. In Bangladesh, due to this very reason we
see the people of Southern part are more courageous than the northern part. On the other hand, many
superstitions have been seen in the areas near forests and sea like southern Bangladesh th:m the plain
lands like northern Bangladesh. Working habit of people also gets influenced by geographical features.
The people who live around sea region, naturally of the professional activities bnse on sen resources
such as fisheries, agriculture, sea-trade while the people who live around hilly region naturally of
professional activities based on forest resources because of geographical characteristics. Industrial
development depends largely on geographical facilities. The supply of raw materials, transportation,
water resources etc are among the prerequisite conditions of industrial development, which are mainly
determined by geographical facilities. Our language, regional dialects folklore literature ,md culture,
social economy, historical developments, trade and commerce, life and society of Bangladesh are
deeply influenced by its geography.
