Which country contains the largest portion of the Sundarbans Delta, the vast mangrove region at the mouth of the Ganges Brahmaputra rivers?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Bangladesh

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question covers regional geography by asking which country occupies the largest part of the Sundarbans Delta. The Sundarbans is a famous mangrove forest and delta region formed where the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers meet the Bay of Bengal. It is known for its unique ecosystem and for being the habitat of the Bengal tiger. Understanding how this delta is divided between neighbouring countries helps students grasp political boundaries and environmental geography in South Asia.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The Sundarbans is located at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
  • Options are Bangladesh, Burma, India and Thailand.
  • The delta region is shared between India and Bangladesh, but not with Burma or Thailand.
  • The question asks which country has the largest portion of this area.


Concept / Approach:
The Sundarbans Delta extends across the coastal areas of southern Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. However, a larger share of the mangrove forest and delta area lies within Bangladesh territory. Many maps and environmental reports describe the Sundarbans primarily as part of Bangladesh, with a smaller western portion belonging to India. Burma, now Myanmar, and Thailand lie further east along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea and are not part of this delta. Therefore, the correct approach is to recognise that Bangladesh contains the largest portion of the Sundarbans.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the Sundarbans as a deltaic mangrove region formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna river systems. Step 2: Recall that this delta lies along the coasts of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. Step 3: Note from standard maps that the majority of the Sundarbans area falls within Bangladesh, while India holds a smaller western segment. Step 4: Exclude Burma and Thailand because they are located further east and are not normally included in descriptions of the Sundarbans Delta. Step 5: Conclude that Bangladesh is the country that occupies the largest part of the Sundarbans Delta.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of UNESCO World Heritage listings and environmental documentaries, which frequently refer to the Sundarbans as a key natural site in Bangladesh, with reference to cross border conservation efforts involving India. Maps showing the extent of the mangrove forest clearly indicate that most of it lies on the Bangladeshi side of the international boundary. Indian geography textbooks also describe the Indian part of the Sundarbans as the western section of a larger delta, implying that Bangladesh holds the dominant share. Burma and Thailand are not mentioned in this context, confirming that Bangladesh is the correct answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Burma, or Myanmar, has its own river deltas, such as those of the Irrawaddy, but it does not include the Sundarbans Delta within its territory.
India does share part of the Sundarbans, specifically in West Bengal, but it does not contain the majority of the delta when compared with Bangladesh.
Thailand is located further southeast and has no geographical connection to the Sundarbans Delta, making this option incorrect.


Common Pitfalls:
Some students may choose India because they are more familiar with the Indian side of the Sundarbans through school examples and tourism references. Others may not realise that the delta crosses an international border and may assume it lies entirely within one country. To avoid these errors, it is helpful to study maps of the Ganges Brahmaputra delta carefully and note that the largest share is in Bangladesh. Remembering that the capital Dhaka lies north of this delta, and that Bangladesh coastline includes most of the mangrove forest, reinforces this fact for exam situations.


Final Answer:
The country that contains the largest portion of the Sundarbans Delta is Bangladesh.

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