What is the capital of Bangladesh?

Dhaka lies on the banks of the Buriganga River in the Ganges delta, in central Bangladesh, and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Dhaka is the capital and seat of government of Bangladesh, a role it has held since 1971. Bangladesh itself has an estimated population of 175,686,899 (2025).

Dhaka is also the largest city in Bangladesh, which is the usual arrangement, though it is far from universal: see the countries where capital and largest city differ.

Urban settlement on the site of Dhaka dates back to at least the 7th century, though the city only rose to prominence under Mughal rule in the early 1600s.

Dhaka has been the capital of Bangladesh since 1971, Dhaka became the capital of independent Bangladesh when the country broke away from Pakistan; it had also been the capital of East Pakistan before that.

Under the name Jahangirnagar, Dhaka was the Mughal provincial capital of Bengal from 1610, long before it became a national capital.

Dhaka is the political, economic and cultural heart of Bangladesh and one of the world's most populous megacities.

The city was historically renowned for its fine muslin cloth, and it remains the centre of Bangladesh's large ready-made garment industry today.

Its wider metropolitan area holds more than 20 million people, making Greater Dhaka one of the largest urban regions in the world.

Dhaka is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world, drawing large numbers of migrants from rural Bangladesh.

It is the seat of the national government and parliament, the latter housed in the landmark Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban designed by architect Louis Kahn.

Bengali is the main language of Dhaka, which is the centre of the country's publishing, media and film industries.

The city has a hot and humid tropical monsoon climate, with most of its rain falling during the monsoon season from May to September.

The historic core of Old Dhaka preserves the city's Mughal-era heart, including the 17th-century Lalbagh Fort and a dense riverfront old town.

City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Dhaka.

Frequently asked questions

Capitals of neighbouring countries

See the full profile of Bangladesh on its country page, or browse every capital city.