Since the year 2000 tourists arriving in Bangladesh have been swelling in numbers. Also travelling further within the country and visiting places like Cox' Bazaar, Teknaf, the Sundarbans, Kuakata, Paharpur and Tetulia. Not only is it international visitors but locals are also taking their holidays and coming to Dhaka, Khulna and Chittgong. All these travellers require appropriate accommodation and the demand in hotel beds and restaurants are now being met for everytaste and every budget. Many of the visitors are expariate Bangladeshi coming to Bangladesh not only to visit their families, but for a holiday and to experience the vibrant and culturally rich country of their forebearers. Catering for all these people have seen an increase in the demand for new hotels and restaurants in Dhaka and other tourist locations.

The language of Bangladesh Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English  Bengali is an Indo-Aryan language it evolved from Sanskrit. Sanskrit being one of the oldest languages documented in the world. Bengali writing is a cursive script like other Indian scripts, originating from the Brahmi alphabet of the Asokan inscriptions. It contains 52 
consonants and 12 vowels. English is also spoken in many places.

Ethnic groups: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)

Religions:Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)

Traveling through Bangladesh is cheap. Tipping is encouraged in most restaurants frequented by foreigners, expect around 5%. It's how much of the staff make their wage, so please be thoughtful in this regard as some tourists can be a little stingy, being used to their own countries. "Baksheesh" is Bangla for tipping. When purchasing a souvenir, you'll find the people skilled in the art of bargaining. This is also custom, remember have fun with it even though you might feel a little frustrated. Just start at around half of what the asking price is and go from there. Walk away if you feel the price is too high, there are many other sellers nearby. Just be aware of the restrictions of your own country and conscience when making a purchase. There are some industries that you you shouldn't encourage in any country.

Exchange rates: taka per US dollar - 57.89 (2002), 55.81 (2001), 52.14 (2000), 49.09 (1999), 46.91 (1998)

Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March);
               hot, humid summer (March to June);
               humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Geography : most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas:
the Ganges unites  with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal

Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast

Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

Dhaka: capital city (pop. est 12,317,000) sights of interest to tourists. Some places that are worth your while include
the Lalbagh Fort, the National Assembly Building (designed by Louis Kahn),
Baitul Mukkaram Mosque and the national gardens (be on the lookout for mongooses there).
Also visit the Star Mosque, Nawab's Palace, the Supreme Court building, an Armenian church and cemetery and the Buddhist monastery. (Buddhists were once the majority, they now account for small percentage of the population.)
Poking around the bazaars and shops along the riverfront, but if you do so, be prepared for crowds.
One night in Dhaka will allow you to see most of the above, but consider taking an excursion or two:

Health
Health issues in Bangladesh like in most poorer countries of the world are not too good, once you are out of the major centres. It's always best to carry with you your personal items and if you are engaging in a higher than normal risk sport, take a first aid kit with sterile syringes. The lists of communicable and potentially deadly diseases is long, and some countries fail to give accurate accounts of the afflicted for fear of loss of tourism revenue.