Bangladesh

Why it sticks

1. 1

   One of the most densely populated countries on Earth, built mostly on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers.

2. 2

   The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is home to the Bengal tiger.

3. 3

   It won independence from Pakistan in 1971; International Mother Language Day (21 February) honours its 1952 Bengali language movement.

4. 4

   The red disc on green represents the sun rising over Bengal and the blood shed for independence.

• Bengali script with a continuous top line, similar to Devanagari but with more rounded, triangular letter shapes.
• Drives on the left; streets crowded with cycle rickshaws and green CNG auto-rickshaws.
• Very flat, lush green paddy fields, ponds and brick kilns with tall chimneys.
• Private cars have white plates with Bengali text; commercial vehicles use green plates.