Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a densely populated country located in the Bengal region of South Asia. It shares extensive land borders with India to the north, west, and east, and with Myanmar to the southeast, while its southern edge is defined by the Bay of Bengal. The nation's geography is characterized by vast, fertile alluvial plains, historically making it a major center for rice cultivation and population density. Dhaka, the capital and largest urban center, serves as the nation's primary political, economic, and cultural hub, complemented by the major port city of Chittagong. The country's population is estimated to be around 173 million people, making it one of the most populous nations globally.