Dhaka, Financial center in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh
Dhaka is the capital and economic center of Dhaka Division in Bangladesh, spreading along the Buriganga River at roughly 60 meters elevation and crossed by numerous waterways between densely built neighborhoods. Commercial zones link historic bazaar quarters with modern industrial and residential areas, while religious structures from various faiths stand among office buildings and apartment blocks across the cityscape.
Between 1608 and 1704, the settlement served as capital of the Mughal province of Bengal, developing into a trading center for textiles and spices before British colonial administration shifted functions here in 1905. Following independence from Pakistan in 1971, it became the national capital, and industrialization accelerated population growth from the 1980s onward through textile manufacturing and shipbuilding.
The metropolis serves as a river ferry hub in the delta, linking rural regions to urban markets so that thousands of commuters and traders travel the waterways each day. Universities draw students from across the subcontinent, while cultural events featuring Bengali music, theater and literature shape city life, and traditional bazaars operate according to trade practices centuries old.
The dry season from November through February brings more comfortable temperatures for exploring the city, while heat peaks in other months can challenge longer outdoor visits. The international airport lies roughly 20 kilometers north of the center with connections via auto-rickshaws, and cycle rickshaws plus local buses serve routes between major quarters, with cash useful for smaller transactions at traditional markets.
Over 600,000 hand-pulled rickshaws transport passengers daily through narrow lanes, with drivers decorating their vehicles with colorful paintwork and maintaining a mobility system without motorized power across generations. Rickshaw art displays film stars, landscapes and abstract patterns painted by local artists on metal panels, turning each vehicle into a moving work of art.
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