Gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. English is widely spoken especially in government and commercial circles. Religion is the main influence on attitudes and behaviour. Since 1988 Islam has been the official state religion. Telegrams may be sent from main post offices and there are three charge rates.
Post boxes are blue for airmail and red for surface mail.
There are eight daily English-language papers, the most popular being the Bangladesh Observer , followed by the Daily Star , the Independent , the Financial Express and the Daily New Nation. The main English-language weeklies are Holiday , the Dhaka Courier and the Bangladesh Gazette . The main Bengali dailies are Dainik Ittefaq, Dainik Inquilab, Banglar Bani, Sangbad, Dainik Bangla, Dainik Millat, Dainik Khabar and Dainik Janakantha. Almost all these newspapers are published in Dhaka and circulated throughout the country. From time to time these change.