Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia, bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the southeast. It was formerly the eastern wing of Pakistan but gained independence after a war in 1971. Since then, Bangladesh has endured famines and natural disasters but has experienced economic progress and restoration of democracy in recent decades. It is one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in the world, though per capita GDP has more than doubled since 1975 and poverty has decreased.