Bangladesh is a South Asian country with a flat topography, most of which is formed by major rivers. One of the most populous countries in the world, Bangladesh was part of some of the major kingdoms and dynasties in Indian history.
Bangladesh has a colorful cultural life and a rich cultural heritage. Places like Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Padma River, and historical sites such as Bagerhat and Paharput attract visitors from all over the world.
Bangladesh's natural treasures include the Sundarbans, a mangrove forest that is home to the rare Royal Bengal tiger and other diverse animal life. This forest is included in one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stretches widely at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers, which separate the countries of India and Bangladesh.
It's incomplete if you go to Bangladesh without tasting the various culinary specialties they have. Panta Bhat, for example. Fermented rice served with hilsa fish is a very popular Bangladeshi specialty. There is also Pitha, a traditional Bangladeshi cake that has many types, such as Chitoi Pitha, Ful Pitha, and Patishapta.
There are several things visitors should not do in the Sundarbans National Park to protect the environment and wildlife. Some of the restrictions are:
Smoking or making a fire in any form is not allowed because they are considered harmful to the mangrove ecosystem.
It is prohibited to bring and use loudspeakers during your visit because they can disturb other visitors and wild animals.
You are not allowed to disturb wild animals, litter, bring pets, or behave aggressively towards wild animals.
The Sundarbans National Park is only accessible by boat. Its main entrance is on Sajne Kali Island, which is located about 100 kilometers southeast of Kolkata in the state of West Bengal.
You can take the public buses that depart hourly (starting at 6.30 a.m.) from Kolkata to Sonakhali on a three-hour ride. From Sonakhali, take an auto-rickshaw to Godhkali, the gateway village to the Sundarbans, and then another boat to Sajnekhali.
The long journey to the Sundarbans will be worth it after witnessing the beauty of one of the world's most unique ecosystems.
The climate is tropical, and the best time to visit Bangladesh is between November-February when the weather tends to be cooler and drier. You can adjust the departure time according to your preferences by regularly checking the weather reports according to your travel needs.
The official currency used in Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi Taka, with the currency code "BDT". Bangladesh provides money exchange services in various public places such as airports, banks, and hotels. There are many ATM machines scattered in all major cities in Bangladesh that make it easy for you to get cash using a card.
The official language used in Bangladesh is Bengali or Bangla. This Indo-Aryan language is derived from Sanskrit and serves as the primary mode of daily communication. Here are some basic Bengali phrases used in everyday conversation:
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