4-Laning of Dhaka-Chittagong - Roads and Highways Department

2nd Dhaka-Chittagong National Highway (Expressway)
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2 PROJECT COUNTRY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 PROJECT COUNTRY
Bangladesh has a total area of 144,000 sq km and is surrounded to the west,
north and east by India, and shares a south-eastern border with Myanmar for
283 km. To the south is the Bay of Bengal. The topography is characterized by
alluvial plains, bound by a range of sub-mountain regions and forested hills.
The great rivers, the Ganges (or Padma) and Brahmaputra (or Jamuna) divide
the country into six major regions, which also correspond to the major
government divisions. The alluvial plains that make up 90% of the country are
very flat and never rise more than 10m above sea level. The country lies on a
major geological fault, although seismic events are rare.
The climate is subtropical and tropical and temperatures range from an
average daytime low of 21 o C in the cooler months of the year to 35 o C in the
hottest months. Annual rainfall varies from 1000mm up to 5000mm, with
three-quarters of the annual rainfall occurring between May and September. A
substantial area of the country is under flood during a normal monsoon season.
The population is close to 150 million, making it one of the most densely
populated countries in the world. Bangla is the national language of
Bangladesh. Being predominately agricultural, the average per capita income
is US$621. The population is predominately Muslim with some 10% Hindu
along with minorities of Buddhism and Christianity.
Major Sea ports: Chittagong is the main busy seaport of Bangladesh. Mongla
(near Khulna) is the other seaport, which is being upgraded by GOB.
Land Ports: Benapole, Bhomra, Tamabil, Hilli, Burimari, Bangla Bandha,
Sonamasjid, Akhaura, Haluaghat, Darshana, Birol, Teknaf, Bibibazar, Bilonia.
Airports: Dhaka and Chittagong are the standard international airports,
whereas Sylhet is a smaller international airport with limited facilities.
Roads and Highways Department 4