Dhaka

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Dhaka (previously Dacca; Bangla: ঢাকা), population 13,900,027 (2003), is the capital of Bangladesh. The city is situated on the Buriganga River, a channel of the Dhaleshwari River, in the heart of the world's largest jute-growing region. It is the industrial, commercial, and administrative center of Bangladesh, with trade in jute, rice, oilseeds, sugar, and tea. Manufactures include textiles and jute products. Dhaka is famous for its handicrafts.

Geographically, Dhaka is located at 23°42' North, 90°22'30" East (23.7, 90.375).

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History

Dhaka's history dates back to the year 1000, but the city achieved glory as the capital of Mughal Bengal. At that time, it was also known as Jahangir Nagar in honor of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The city passed to British rule in 1765. It became the capital of East Pakistan in 1947. In 1971, the city became capital of the newly independent country Bangladesh. It was formerly known under the spelling Dacca. Modern Dhaka has vastly outgrown the Old City as its population mushroomed during recent decades due to an influx of people from rural areas. The Old City with its important port and various historical sites can still be found at the southern end of the sprawling and disorganised modern development.

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Present

The city is divided into ten parliamentary constituencies. Whichever party has won the parliamentary elections have also tended to win the majority of the seats inside the capital. Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Banani are the major residential neighborhoods. Motijheel is the major business district, containing the headquarters of most of the country's banks and corporate houses, as well as that of the central Bangladesh Bank, although many upscale businesses have recently relocated to Gulshan. Ramna contains the Secretariat, which houses most of the government ministries, the residences of senior Government officials, and is also the seat of the Supreme Court.

On August 17, 2005, the city was hit by a series of simultaneous explosions (part of approximately 500 explosions across the country), possibly set by terrorists. One Islamist group, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen attempted to claim responsibility.

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Landmarks

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Major Universities and Colleges

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bn:ঢাকা

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