Dhaka, Bangladesh Hotels and City Guide

The great rivers of Brahmaputra and Ganges flow along the sides of this impressive, predominantly Islamic city. Renowned for its trademark fine silk and muslin, Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, situated in the geographic centre of the country. Founded in the 10th century and established as the largest city in Bangladesh, Dhaka served as the Mughal capital of Bengal from 1608 to 1704. Over the past two decades, Dhaka transformed itself from a small conservative town to a great city with heavy commercialisation. Currently, the busy capital city holds a population of four million residents.

British, Dutch and French colonialism plus the trade relations with the international community has made Dhaka in to a city with a blend of modern and ancient culture and tradition. Mainly Moslems, the citizens are friendly individuals with a devotion to religion and respect for humanity. The struggle for independence and the breaking-off from India as an individual country caused much damage to Dhaka; by the mid 1980s, the city managed to re-emerge stronger and establish itself as the omnipotent hub of the country.

Dhaka is the trading capital of Bangladesh, producing various goods for the international market. Textile production is the largest industry in Dhaka, weaving yards and yards of perfect jute, muslin, silk and cotton material. Food processing is also a major portion of the city’s business. Agriculture in Dhaka concentrates mainly on producing rice for local consumption, although excess harvests are occasionally marketed to other nations.

Dhaka is located within the monsoon climate zone and from June to September, a drenched city with flooded rivers is a common sight. The temperatures are rarely unbearable, although it could be uncomfortable with increased humidity during the rainy season. The best time to travel to Dhaka is between October and March, when the weather is mild and soothing.

Dhaka City Facts
Dhaka Population: 10,000,000 (Source: US Bangladesh Business Council Main Website)
Bangladesh Population: 144,319,628 (Source: The World Fact Book July 2005 Estimate)
Language: Bengali, English
Time: GMT / UTC plus 6 hours
Currency: Taka (BDT)

Hotels in Dhaka, Bangladesh