The Chittagong Hills in eastern and southeastern Bangladesh include the
highest and most rugged parts of the nation, with elevations rising to
more than 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. The remainder of Bangladesh
is generally low-lying, with elevations approaching only 300 m (900 ft)
in the hills of the northwest and northeast and considerably lower on
the vast deltaic plains on the BRAHMAPUTRA, GANGES, and Meghna rivers.
The lowlands of the delta region are crisscrossed by numerous distributaries
of the main rivers.
About 6% of the total land area of Bangladesh is permanently under water,
and two-thirds is flooded for part of the year. The floods often result
in great loss of life, crops, and property damage but are, nonetheless,
of special value to agricultural Bangladesh for the sediments (alluvium)
that the muddy floodwaters deposit on the land. These alluvial soils are
rich minerals and other nutrients needed for plant growth. |
