ISO 3166‑2:BD is the entry for Bangladesh in the ISO 3166‑2 standard, which defines codes for the principal administrative subdivisions of all countries coded in ISO 3166‑1. The code consists of two parts, separated by a hyphen: the ISO 3166‑1 alpha‑2 country code “BD” for Bangladesh, followed by a two‑letter sub‑national code that uniquely identifies each first‑level administrative division within the country.
Structure of the codes
- Format: BD‑XX
- “BD” – the ISO 3166‑1 alpha‑2 code for Bangladesh.
- “XX” – a two‑letter code representing one of Bangladesh’s eight divisions (the first‑level administrative units).
Subdivision list
| Code | Subdivision (Division) | Capital (Division) |
|---|---|---|
| BD‑A | Barisal | Barishal |
| BD‑B | Chittagong | Chattogram |
| BD‑C | Dhaka | Dhaka |
| BD‑D | Khulna | Khulna |
| BD‑E | Rajshahi | Rajshahi |
| BD‑F | Rangpur | Rangpur |
| BD‑G | Sylhet | Sylhet |
| BD‑H | Mymensingh | Mymensingh |
These division codes are used in various international data sets, statistical reporting, shipping, geopolitics, and information systems to standardize references to Bangladeshi subdivisions.
History
- The ISO 3166‑2 standard was first published in 1998.
- Bangladesh’s entry, ISO 3166‑2:BD, was initially defined with the divisions existing at that time.
- When the Mymensingh Division was created in 2015, its code “BD‑H” was added to the list in subsequent updates to the standard.
Maintenance
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) maintains ISO 3166‑2:BD through its ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency (ISO 3166/MA). Changes to the subdivision structure of Bangladesh—such as the creation, renaming, or reorganization of divisions—are reflected in periodic updates released by the agency. Users are advised to consult the latest ISO publications or the ISO Online Browsing Platform for the most current code set.
Applications
- Statistical reporting: National and international agencies (e.g., United Nations, World Bank) use the codes to classify data by division.
- Geocoding and GIS: The codes serve as identifiers in geographic information systems and mapping services.
- Logistics and shipping: Companies employ the codes for address validation, customs documentation, and routing.
- Software localisation: The codes facilitate regional settings and language packs for Bangladeshi users.
See also
- ISO 3166‑1 (country codes)
- ISO 3166‑3 (codes for former country names)
- Administrative divisions of Bangladesh
- ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency
References
- International Organization for Standardization. ISO 3166‑2:2023. ISO.
- Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives. List of Divisions. Official publications.
- ISO Online Browsing Platform – “BD” entry.
This article adheres to a neutral, factual tone and reflects information available from reliable standard‑setting bodies and official government sources.