Bangladesh has only been an independent country since 1971, but geologists estimate that the area has been inhabited for over four thousand years based on archeological finds in the country. With this long history, the people and culture of the country is unique and rich.

One of the first known events that happened in the area that today is called Bangladesh was in the fourteenth century, when the Bengal people were conquered by Timur. In the 1500s, Bobur, one of Genghis Khan’s descendants, conquered the land, bringing the Mughal Empire to the area. This stage in the country’s history brought Islam to the forefront of the religious mindset.

Bengal was divided along religious lines in 1947. The eastern part of the area became East Bengal and part of Pakistan. The western area became part of India. Britain no longer controlled the country.

East Bengal, which later was renamed East Pakistan, never functioned well as a part of Pakistan. The people were not happy with being controlled by the Pakistani upper class. The Bengali-speaking population of the area signed a petition for autonomy in the 1960s, but the Pakistani government ignored it. Tensions mounted, until a huge cyclone destroyed the coast of the area in 1970. When the Pakistani government did not respond well, the people rebelled. After a long, bloody revolution, East Bengali won its independence and chose the name Bangladesh.

Sheikh Mujib was the first leader of the country. He was assassinated in 1975 after establishing socialist rule in the country. The three months after his assassination were bloody and confusing, but soon General Ziaur Rahman took power and established a multi-party government. He was also assassinated in 1981. He was followed by Hossain Mohammad Ershad, who ruled for eight years. After his reign, the current parliamentary democratic republic was established.

In December of 2004 an undersea earthquake caused a huge tsunami to crash onto the coast of Bangladesh. Thousands of people were killed as a result of this wave. Bangladesh is still recovering from the devastation caused by this recent natural disaster.

If you are planning a trip to Bangladesh, there are certain attractions that you simply must see. These attractions will make your trip worthwhile and give you a real sense of the people and nature that makes Bangladesh such a welcoming location to visit. Since you will probably base your trip out of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city, be sure to spend some time exploring its attractions. While in Dhaka, you will want to shop at the Dhaka Markets, where you can buy discounted clothing and leather goods. Be prepared to haggle on the price, though! The National Museum, National Zoo and Dhaka Botanical Gardens are all popular with Dhaka visitors. Be sure to visit the zoo, because it is the best place to see the country’s tigers up close.

If you would prefer to see nature in its natural habitat, visit Rejandrapur National Park, which is about 50 km to the north of Dhaka. This park is the perfect destination for birdwatchers, so be sure to take along your binoculars when you visit. Sundarbans National Park is another place that is popular with nature lovers. Here you can see Royal Bengal Tigers, spotted deer, birds, and monkeys in their national habitats. Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, and you can take an organized tour led by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation if you visit during the winter months.

Bangladesh has its fair share of historic buildings to explore. One building that dates back to the time that the British controlled the land is Curzon Hall. Old High Court is another popular architectural and historic landmark in the country, and it is considered an excellent example of the architecture of the European Renaissance.

Of course, Bangladesh is known for its beaches, and at the southernmost point of the country you can find Kuakata, a new beachside resort. This resort is located near the Rakhane tribes, so it is a great choice for those who want to see what the traditional culture of Bangladesh is like. It is also a great location to view both the sunset and sunrise.

Inani Beach is the world’s longest beach, and it is located in Cox’s Bazar. This is the tourist Mecca of the country, and here you can shop local artisans who sell their wears along the road. The main beach that tourists visit is Patenga, so if you are looking to avoid crowds, visit one of the others. Regardless of what you do while you are in Banglandesh, visiting these popular attractions will make your stay worthwhile and ensure that you come back with great memories and wonderful photographs.