Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into being only in 1971 when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter civil war. The new country became a parliamentary democracy under the 1972 constitution. Since independence, Bangladesh has experienced many political crises, including two leader assassinations and several coups. With a population of about 161 million, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in the world. Landlocked by India on three sides, the country’s predominantly agricultural economy is vulnerable to natural disasters such as flooding and cyclones.