The Potential of Electricity Generation from Poultry Waste in ...

CHAPTER 2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2.1 Country Background
2.1.1 General Overview
Geographically, Bangladesh lies in the north eastern part of South Asia between 20º34´ and
26º38´ north latitude and 88º01’ and 92º41’ east longitude (BBS, 2007, p. XIX). Bangladesh
is surrounded by India on west, north and north-east and Myanmar on the south-east and the
Bay of Bengal on the south (ibid). The total land area of the country is 56,977 square miles or
1,47,570 square kilometer (sq km) (ibid). The map of the country is given in figure 2.1. The
climate of Bangladesh is sub-tropical monsoon climate. In winter the temperature ranges
from a minimum of 7.22º C -12.77º C to maximum of 23.88º C -31.11º C. The maximum
temperature of the country recorded in summer from 36.66º C to 40.55º C (ibid, p. XX).
The enumerated population of the country is currently 123.8 million (according to the
population census 2001). (BBS, 2007, p. XIX-XX). Out of which the percentage of rural
population is 80.2% and the rest 19.8 % is urban population (ibid, p.32-33 and own
calculation ). The inter-censal growth rate of population in 2001 was 1.48% per annum. (ibid,
p.33) The density of population is 839 per sq km (ibid, p. XIX-XX and own calculation). The
literacy rate in the country is 45.3% for population 7 years or above (ibid, p. XIX-XX).
Bangladesh has six administrative divisions (ibid, p. XXI). These divisions are subdivided
into district or zilla (ibid). The total number of district or zilla in the country is 64 (ibid). Each
district or zilla is further sub-divided into upazila or thana. (ibid).
In 2004-2005 the per capita GDP of the country at current market prices was 27061 BDT or
US$ 440 (1 US$= 61.39 BDT, ibid, p.418) approximately.
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