Dhaka (previously Dacca; Bengali: ঢাকা Ḍhākā; IPA: [ɖʱaka]) is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka District. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, has a population of 11 million, making it the largest city in Bangladesh and one of the most populous in the world.
Under Mughal rule in the 17th century, the city was also known as Jahangir Nagar, and was both a provincial capital and a centre of the world-wide muslin trade. The modern city, however, was developed chiefly under British rule in the 19th century, and soon became the second-largest city in Bengal after Calcutta. With the partition of India in 1947, Dhaka became the administrative capital of East Pakistan, and later, in 1972, the capital of an independent Bangladesh. During the intervening period, the city witnessed widespread turmoil; this included many impositions of martial law, the declaration of Bangladesh's independence, military suppression, devastation during war, and natural calamities.
Modern Dhaka is the centre of political, cultural and economic life in Bangladesh. It has both the highest literacy rate and the most diverse economy amongst Bangladeshi cities. Although its urban infrastructure is the most developed in the country, it nonetheless faces challenges such as pollution, congestion, supply shortages, poverty and crime. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen modernisation of transport, communications and public works. The city is attracting considerable foreign investment and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation.

History
Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh at 23°42′0″N, 90°22′30″E, on the eastern banks of the Buriganga River. The city lies on the lower reaches of the Ganges Delta and covers a total area of 815.85 square kilometres (315 sq mi).
See also: Geography of Bangladesh

Geography and climate
The Dhaka municipality was founded on August 1, 1864 and upgraded to "corporation" status in 1978. houses the unicameral national parliament. The Baitul Mukarram, developed with a design resembling the Kaaba of Mecca, is the national mosque. Other historical monuments in the city include the Bara Katra palace, the Lalbagh Fort, the Hoseni Dalan and the Ahsan Manzil.

Civic administration
Dhaka is the commercial heart of Bangladesh.

Economy
The population of Dhaka city (areas under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka city corporation) stands at approximately 6.7 million. The city, in combination with localities forming the wider metropolitan area, is home to an estimated 11.9 million. The population is growing by an estimated 4.2% per annum, one of the highest rates amongst Asian cities.[31] (file info) — Watch in browser

• Animation showing urban growth in Dhaka, Blangladesh from 1972 to 2001. The animation starts with a global view over India using Terra-MODIS 30 km. true color data. The animation then zooms down to Terra-MODIS 1 km. data over Bangladesh, and dissolves into the 1972-12-28 Landsat-1-MSS data of Dhaka. Dhaka can then be seen growing to its present day size by first showing the 1989-02-13 Landsat-5-TM image which then dissolves into the final 2001-01-29 Landsat-7-ETM+ image.
  Problems seeing the videos? See media help. Demographics
  As the most populous city of the nation, Dhaka has a vibrant cultural life. Annual celebrations for Independence Day (March 26), Language Martyrs' Day (February 21) and Victory Day (December 16) are prominently held across the city. Dhaka's people congregate at the Shaheed Minar and the Jatiyo Smriti Soudho to celebrate the national heroes of the liberation war. These occasions are observed with public ceremonies and rallies in public grounds. Many schools and colleges organise festivals and concerts.
  See also: Culture of Bangladesh
  
  Transport
  Dhaka has the largest number of schools, colleges and universities of any Bangladeshi city. The education system is divided into 4 levels: Primary (from grades 1 to 5), Secondary (from grades 6 to 10), Higher Secondary (from grades 11 to 12) and tertiary.
  See also: Education in Bangladesh
  
  Education
  Cricket and football are the two most popular sports in Dhaka and across the nation. Teams are fielded in intra-city and national competitions by a large number of schools, colleges and private entities. The Mohammedan Sports Club and Abahani are the largest football and cricket teams, maintaining a fierce rivalry. Many Bangladeshi cricketers and football players such as Sheikh Aslam, Athar Ali Khan, Kaiser Hamid, and Mohammad Ashraful hail from Dhaka. The Bangladesh cricket team's victories over Pakistan in 1999, India in 2004 and even the overseas win against Australian cricket team in 2005 were celebrated by thousands of people who congregated on the streets of the city.
  See also: Sports in Bangladesh
  
  See also