Saint Martin's Island

Saint Martin is a small coral island in the northest part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km. south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar -Teknaf peninsula, and forming southernmost part of Bangladesh. It has become a popular tourist spot of Bangladesh. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh. The local name of this island is "Naricl jinjira", meaning "the island of coconut".

Currently three shipping lines run daily trips from Teknaf to the island. Tourists can also visit there from Cox's Bazar By local boats. They can book their tripeither from Chittagong or Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an extension named "Chhera dwip".

In the past five years Saint martin's visitor population has increased dramatically. While the situation has proven to be lucrative for the islanders, it is causing the natural beauty of this island to deteriorate. Presently there are many efforts being put forth to preserve the several species of turtles that nest on the island, as well as the corals, some of which are found only on Saint Martin island. Species of fish, a few just recently discovered. Every year the fisherman here must venture further out to sea to get their catch. Most of them use motorless boats.

It is possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 sq km, shrinking to about 5 sq km during high tide. Most of islands inhabitants live primarily from fishing, and between October and April fisher people from neighboring areas bring their catch to the island's temporary wholesale market.

In this island, you will find beautiful coral reef and long coral beach and lots of coconut trees. Accommodation in Saint Martin's island is limited, so it advisable to book accommodation before you plan to visit this is land. Motel Nijhum is one of the best hotel in Saint Martin's island, You can confirm your reservation there from Dhaka.

Overnight staying in Saint Martin island is really a great experience, where you will feel and listen the sound of sea. If you are lucky enough then you can spend the exotic moonlit night at Saint Martin's island. The beauty of full moon in Saint Martin island can not be expressed in words.

Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh, is the longest unbroken clean sandy beach. The 120 km length beach always attracts tourist from different part of the world because of its smooth and soft carpeting of silvery

sand sloping gently into the clean blue water of the bay of Bengal. It is overlooked throughout by a picturesque range of forested green hills. Cox's Bazar is famed for its calm and Quiet, shark-free beach with the green trees and pretty hills on one side and the blue waves on the other. One, perhaps, does not come by many such seaside resorts around the globe. The beach is suitable for bathing, sunbathing and swimming. The beauty of the setting sun behind the waves of the sea is really breathtaking.

Besides the resplendent beach, Cox's Bazar offers such attractions as ornamented templates and pagodas, a Burmece market and a veiw of indigenous communities and their vibrant culture. Moreover, tourists may visit Moheshkhali, Sonadia, Ramu, Himchhari and Teknaf for their natural beauty, their beaches and an experience of tribal life and culture.

Some other spots near Cox's Bazar deserve to be mentioned for their awesome charm are in Himchhari, Sonadia, Ramu, Teknaf and Inani beach.

Himchhari: Himchhari is about 32 km. south from Cox's bazar along the beach. The broken hills and waterfalls here are unique. The beauty on the way of Himchhari is extraordinary. There is a resort from where the shore of bay of Bengal looks enchating.

Sonadia : Sonadia is small island of about 9 sqr. km situated at the north of the Cox's Bazar sea beach. Both side of this is land are covered with sandy beaches. A large amount of sea fishes are found here.

Ramu: Ramu is a typical Buddhist village, about 16 km. from Cox's Bazar, on the main road to Chittagong. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas containing images of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inilaid with precious stones. One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali river. It houses not only interesting relics and Burmes handicrafts but also a large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a six feet high pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very delicate and refined. The village has a charm of its own. Weavers ply there trade in open workshops and craftsmen make handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.

Teknaf: Teknaf is the finishing point of Bangladesh. It situated at the side of Naaf river. Mayanmar is on the opposite bank of Naaf river. Journey on the river is very attractive in Teknaf. There is a local market called " Barmice market", where various goods are found in very low rate.

Inani : Inani id about 32km. South of Cox's Bazar and just onthe beach, with the sea to the west and a background of steep hills to the east. It is only half an hour's drive from Cox's Bazar and an ideal place for sea bathing and picnic.

Tourist attractions of Bangladesh

Bangladesh as a holiday making land exposes to many flamboyant facets. Its tourist attractions are many folded, which include archaeological sites, historical mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots forests and tribal people, wildlife of various species.

Bangladesh also offers ample tourist attractions. The facilities for tourists have also greatly improved compared to even a few years ago. Much of the country has been relatively untouched by modern technology and development, which is why foriegners find the rich flora and fauna and colorful tribal life so enchanting. Some of the better known tourist attractions are: Srimangal , Mainamati, Mahastangarh, Paharpur for archeaology, Rangamati, Kaptai and Cox's Bazar for sight seeing, and the Sundarbans and Foy's Lake for scenic beauty.

For management of tourism there is an autonomous body under the government known as the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), BPC has information centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Bogra, Cox's bazar and Rangamati. Five package tours ranging from 4 to 5 days are arranged by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation originating in Dhaka.

About Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a small country in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides expect a border with Myanmar to the far southeast and by the bay of Bengal to the south. Together with the Indian state of west Bengal, it makes up the ethno -linguistic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal".

Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal and India in 1947, when the region become the eastern wing of the newly formed Pakistan. political and linguistic discrimination as well as economic neglect led to popular agitations against West Pakistan, which led to the war of independence in 1971 and the establishment of Bangladesh. After independence the new state endured famines, natural disasters and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups. The restoration of democracy has been followed by relative calm and economic progress.