tian, and other less than 1%
Languages:
Bangla (official), English widely used
Literacy:
35% (male 47%, female 22%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
35,100,000; agriculture 74%, services 15%, industry and commerce 11% (FY86);
extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)
Organized labor:
3% of labor force belongs to 2,614 registered unions (1986 est.)

:Bangladesh Government

Long-form name:
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Type:
republic
Capital:
Dhaka
Administrative divisions:
64 districts (zillagulo, singular - zilla); Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna,
Barisal, Bhola, Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chapai Nawabganj, Chattagram,
Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha,
Gazipur, Gopalganj, Habiganj, Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati,
Jhenaidah, Khagrachari, Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia, Laksmipur,
Lalmonirhat, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur, Moulavibazar,
Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Nator,
Netrakona, Nilphamari, Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar, Parbattya Chattagram,
Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Satkhira, Shariyatpur,
Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Tangail, Thakurgaon
Independence:
16 December 1971 (from Pakistan; formerly East Pakistan)
Constitution:
4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24
March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended NA March 1991
Legal system:
based on English common law
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 March (1971)
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman (since 20 March 1991)
Political parties and leaders:
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman; Awami League (AL),
Sheikh Hasina WAZED; Jatiyo Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD;
Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Ali KHAN; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), Saifuddin
Ahmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); Workers Party, leader NA;
Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (National Socialist Party - SIRAJ), M. A. JALIL;
Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami Oikya