Geography of Bangladesh

The country of Bangladesh has a diverse physical landscape, but two aspects stand out in particular: a large deltaic plain that experiences frequent flooding, and a small hilly area that is traversed by swift-moving rivers. Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian states of Tripura and Mizoram to the east, West Bengal and Assam to the west and north, Meghalaya and West Bengal to the north and north-northeast. Its southeast border is shared with Myanmar (Burma). Bangladesh's southernmost region opens up to the Bay of Bengal.

In South Asia, Bangladesh is a heavily populated, low-lying, primarily riverine nation with a 720 km (447 mi) long coastline along the northern littoral of the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh makes up of the eastern two-thirds of the Padma and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers' deltaic plain. Dhaka is its capital city.

Physical Features

Over 79% of the nation is covered by the Ganges (Padma), Brahmaputra (Jamuna), and Meghna Rivers' delta plains and tributaries. Nine percent of the area is made up of four raised blocks, including the Madhupur and Barind Tracts in the center and northwest, while twelve percent is made up of steep hill ranges in the southeast (the Chittagong Hill Tracts), northeast, and northwest. The country spans 820 kilometers (510 miles) from north to south and 600 kilometers (370 miles) from east to west, with an area of 147,570 square kilometers (56,980 sq. mi) or 148,460 square kilometers (57,320 sq. mi).

A short land and water frontier (193 km; 120 mi) with Myanmar and a land border with India totalling 4,095 km (2,545 mi) on the west, north, and east, respectively, of Bangladesh. About 580 kilometers (360 mi) of highly erratic deltaic coastline may be found in the south. This coastline is split up by numerous rivers and streams that run into the Bay of Bengal. The exclusive economic zone of Bangladesh is 200 nautical miles (370 km) long, while the country's territorial waters are 12 nautical miles (22 km) wide. The Bangladesh Plain, a lush alluvial lowland, makes up around 80% of the area.

The plain is a section of the wider Lower Gangetic Plain, often known as the Plain of Bengal. The alluvial plains disappear towards the northeast and southeast, in the Sylhet and Chittagong Hills regions, where they are replaced by ridges that run primarily north-south and are a portion of the mountains that divide Bangladesh from Myanmar and India. Bangladesh's southern portion is bordered by the Sundarbans, a sizable area of marshy deltaic forest.

Climate

Bangladesh experiences ordinary monsoon weather, which includes gusts that bring rain, average temperatures, and high humidity. In general, the summer months of April to September see maximum temperatures in the low to mid-90s F (mid-30s C). In most places, April is the warmest month. The winter months, from November to March, have a wider variety of high temperatures than the summer months do. The coolest month is January, which has high temperatures.

Bangladesh experiences the lowest atmospheric pressure during the stormy months of June and July. Except for a few areas in the west, Bangladesh experiences considerable rainfall. The monsoon season, which lasts from June through early September or early October, is when rainfall is at its highest. Early in the summer (April and May) and late in the monsoon season (September through October, and perhaps November), very intense storms are common.

Flora And Fauna

Bangladesh has a rich variety of plants, with communities appearing to be buried beneath groves of date palm, jackfruit, bamboo, betel nut, and coconut. But just a very small percentage of the country's area is covered with forests. Bangladesh has four distinct vegetation types. Many low hills in the eastern zone, which includes portions of the Sylhet and Chittagong regions, are covered in bamboo and rattan (a form of climbing palm) jungles. The country's paper industry is built on a huge variety of bamboo, which is the most prevalent plant.

The central zone, which includes areas of the nation to the north of Dhaka, is home to several lakes and swampy vegetation; a portion of this zone's soil is responsible for the Madhupur forests. A flat plain with primarily planted plants and orchards makes up the region to the northwest of the Jamuna and to the southwest of the Padma. The extensive wetlands of the Sundarbans, with its peculiar mangrove vegetation, are located in the southern region along the Bay of Bengal. Commercial value can be found in a number of mangrove species, including the goran and the sundari (after which the Sundarbans are called).

More than 100 different species of mammals live in Bangladesh, which is home to a variety of wildlife, while the number of several species has drastically declined since the early 20th century. Elephants inhabit the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the northern Sylhet region, where they can be found in herds of less than 12 to nearly 100 animals. Water buffalo that have been domesticated are employed for cart hauling and plow work.

The little muntjac and the huge sambar deer with its maned neck are two well-known species of deer. The barasingha once lived in the Sundarbans as well, but they vanished from Bangladesh in the 20th century. The hog deer has also vanished from the nation. The most well-known carnivore is the royal Bengal tiger. The common leopard and its smaller sibling, the rare clouded leopard, with its dark gray fur and rectangular spots, are native to the area. Although it has larger legs, the fierce leopard cat is around the same size as a domestic cat.

Drainage

The rivers, which have shaped both the physiography and the manner of life of the people of Bangladesh, are the most notable element of the country's landscape. However, Bangladesh's rivers are frequently subject to abrupt changes in course, which can have an impact on the hydrology of a wide area. As a result, no description of Bangladesh's topography can be said to be absolutely accurate for very long.

The rivers flood the area every year between June and October, rising to their highest levels in September or October and swiftly subsiding in November. The Padma (or Ganges) and its deltaic streams, the Meghna and Surma river system, the Jamuna and its adjacent channels, the North Bengal rivers, and finally the rivers of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the surrounding plains can all be grouped into one of five river systems. The Feni, the Karnaphuli, the Sangu, and the Matamuhari are the four principal rivers that make up the river system of the Chittagong Hills and the surrounding plains.

They discharge into the Bay of Bengal after mainly flowing west and southwest across the coastal plain. None of Bangladesh's significant rivers have their source within the nation. The upper Padma and Jamuna both originate in China, but they also flow into Bangladesh. The upper Padma and Jamuna originate in China and Nepal, respectively, and all three rivers flow through Indian territory to Bangladesh. The Surma has its source in India. As a result, Bangladesh cannot completely control how any of the streams that irrigate it flow.

Soils

In Bangladesh, there are three primary types of soils − old alluvial soils, modern alluvial soils, and hill soils with sandstone and shale as their base. The fertile recent alluvial soils are often clays and loams, varying in colour from pale brown to sandy to chalky to mica-rich, and are mostly found in flooded areas. They lack humus, phosphoric acid, and nitrogen but not potash or lime.

In the Barind and Madhupur region's jungles, there are old alluvial soils that are dark iron-rich brown or reddish clays and loams. In the rainy season, they are sticky, and in the dry, they are hard. The hill soils can support the formation of dense forests since they are typically permeable.

Conclusion

Bangladesh's geography is defined by its deltaic plains and hilly regions, enriched by a network of rivers like the Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna. The country has a varied terrain that varies from marshy Sundarbans mangroves along the Bay of Bengal to rich floodplains. Bangladesh has a great biodiversity with a variety of flora and animals, including the Royal Bengal tiger, elephants, and varied bird species, despite confronting difficulties such periodic flooding and river route changes.

Agriculture and daily life are impacted by the monsoon climate's effects on temperature and rainfall patterns. Hill soils and productive alluvial soils are both found in the nation. This heavily populated country navigates its distinctive topographical features in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bangladesh located?

Bangladesh is situated in South Asia.

What are the major rivers in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has rivers like the Padma, Jamuna, and Meghna.

How does the monsoon climate influence Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has monsoon weather with distinct wet and dry seasons.

What is Sundarbans?

The Sundarbans, located in the southern part of Bangladesh, is a large area of mangrove forest and wetlands.

What are the primary soil types in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has three main soil types: old alluvial soils, modern alluvial soils, and hill soils.