Sri Lanka geography. Geographical location of Sri Lanka. Inland waters of Sri Lanka
Island state Sri Lanka, which means “Blessed Land”, is a real tourist paradise in the middle of the ocean.
Capital of Sri Lanka?
The official capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the parliament and supreme court are located.
The actual capital is Colombo. Colombo is the seat of government and is also home to the residence of the President.
Area: 65,610 km²
Population: 21,675,648 people
National composition?
The ethnic composition of Sri Lanka is multinational. Among the population of Sri Lanka you can find representatives of such nationalities as Sinhalese, Tamils, burghers (descendants of the Portuguese and Dutch) and Moors (descendants of Arab traders).
Official language?
The languages spoken in Sri Lanka are mainly Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and Austronesian. The official languages are Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Currency?
The Sri Lankan rupee is the national currency of the state. It is equal to 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees are in circulation; there are also coins in the country in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1,2,5 rupees. International credit cards are accepted for payment. When importing foreign currency into the country, a declaration procedure is required.
Timezone?
Time zone in Sri Lanka is UTC+05:30. All Sri Lanka's territory belongs to the same time zone.
Climate?
The climate in Sri Lanka is tropical. The weather changes with the arrival of the monsoons.
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All about food
Sri Lankan cuisine is rich in flavors and spices, much like Indian cuisine. Sri Lankan cuisine still has its own characteristics, which will undoubtedly attract many tourists. In preparing their dishes they mainly use fish, tropical fruits, a lot of herbs and spices.
True gourmets simply need to try the national cuisine of this island:
Stringhoppers– a popular breakfast on the island that you must try, it will surprise you with its spiciness. This dish is a delicious vermicelli, which is prepared from rice flour and various spicy mixtures are added, which you should definitely try.
Hoppers is a unique breakfast dish. An unusually tasty flatbread in the center of which you can add various ingredients to suit every taste.
Kokis(Kokis) is a popular dessert dish. Its taste is similar to marmalade, but in appearance it is very similar to brushwood
.White rice with coconut milk - kiribath - deserves special attention from real gourmets. Kiribat is incredibly tasty without additives, but a completely different taste will surprise you if you try it with spicy snacks, for example, with a crushed mixture of hot red pepper, onion, lemon and spices - kattasambol. With coconut flakes and palm “honey”, kiribath becomes sweet.
Arak– amazingly tasty palm vodka.
Top 5 restaurants where you can try the national cuisine of the island: 
DiyaSisila Restaurant(Elpitiya Road | Bentota - Adaganthota, Bentota 50800);
Malli's Seafood Restaurant(Beach Road | Opposite of Hotel The Surf, Bentota 80500);
Sun & Sea Restaurant(| Robolgoda, Bentota 80500);
Awanhala Beach Restaurant(Galle Road | Near the Railway Cross, Bentota 80500);
Bentota Rock Beach Restaurant(Aturuwella, Bentota 80500);
Top 5 restaurants where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal:
Ocean View Restaurant(Robolgoda, Bentota, Bentota 80500);
Bamboo Shoot Restaurant(Yalegama Junction, Induruwa 12050);
Pub MachanBentota(357 Galle Road, Bentota 80500);
Barista Bentota(No 88 Welipenna Road, Aluthgama, Bentota., Bentota 80500);
The Red Fish - Sea Food Restaurant(200/1 Robolgoda, Galle Road, Bentota 80500);
Culture
Residents of Sri Lanka love to celebrate holidays, of which there are many on their calendar. The most important and revered holiday is the Ascension of the Holy Buddha tooth from Kandyan temple DaladaMaligawa. This celebration is celebrated at the same time as the festival EsalaPerahera, where a colorful procession is held. During the procession you can see torchbearers, beautifully painted temple elephants, dancers in national costumes and flag bearers. But this is only one of the many holidays in Sri Lanka. To enjoy the view and atmosphere of the holiday, it is worth attending the NavamPerahera celebration, which is celebrated on the shore beautiful lake Beira. Thousands of tourists and those wishing to participate in a colorful procession gather for such a holiday.
Holidays worth visiting include: New Year, which is celebrated on April 13-14, the Vel and Besak festivals in May, the Kataragama festival, which is held in July or August, and the Unduwap festival in December. Almost all other holidays in Sri Lanka are celebrated in the same way as in other countries.
Every tourist visiting this country should know what not to do on the streets of Sri Lanka. It is considered disrespectful to the morals of the inhabitants of this island to take photographs in front of the sacred statue of Buddha, i.e. Don't turn your back on her. It is prohibited to photograph banks, strategic objects and government institutions. If you want to take a photo with a local resident, you need to ask him for permission so as not to lead the situation to a conflict.
What to do with yourself?
Sri Lanka is a paradise for tourists with different preferences: it is ideally suited for lovers of beach pleasures, connoisseurs ancient history island culture.
Of course, Sri Lanka will become a favorite place for fans of surfing and diving. The resort of Hikkaduwa is famous for its steep waves, which true surfing fans should definitely appreciate. The same resort is also popular among divers. When you dive underwater you can admire the wealth underwater world, and also see the remains of a sunken ship.
Also at various resorts there is a variety of entertainment: 
banana ride water skiing, canoe or scooter and much more.
Also, for those who want their wedding to be unusual and colorful, it is worth going to the Bentonu resort, where you can order an official wedding ceremony on the seashore or undergo a Ceylonese wedding ceremony.
How can you visit Sri Lanka and not ride elephants?! The resorts offer a variety of elephant activities: elephant riding; a drawing of an elephant's trunk; extraordinary massage. 
Animal lovers will also have the opportunity to go on a sea safari on yachts to watch whales and release newly born turtles into the sea.
Having visited Sri Lanka You should definitely visit the famous Ayurvedic therapies, where you can enjoy traditional massage, meditation, yoga, and various types of psychotherapies. Feel all the color and diversity of the island.
And of course, a visit to Ceylon plantations, after which everyone will learn to distinguish the taste of green tea from white.
Holidays in Sri Lanka give you health, beauty and a great mood.
What is worth seeing?
Sri Lanka is rich in attractions. Both lovers of architecture and history, as well as connoisseurs of tropical nature, will find a lot of interesting things on the island.
Pilgrimage tours to Sri Lanka are interesting, since there are a lot of religious architectural monuments and monasteries in the country. Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharda One of the most popular places where many tourists come, it is an extremely beautiful and largest temple on the island. Many believers believe that this temple was consecrated by himself Buddha when I placed it. Golden Temple Dambulla, which contains the largest number of Buddha statues.
On my journey to this amazing island definitely worth it 
see: the holy Adam's Peak (2243 meters), where, according to legends, a person first set foot after paradise; visit the rock with the footprints of Buddha; see extraordinary beautiful tree“Bo”, under which the same Buddha once rested, visit ancient city Anuradhapura, home to numerous ancient monuments included in the UNESCO list. The country has many different parks where you can experience with your own eyes the full flavor of the animal world. It is worth a look at the Royal Botanical Garden in Paradenia. The garden is well known throughout the world for its rich plant collections. And be sure to take a walk through the wild jungle, where not only many wild monkeys live, but even leopards and cheetahs.
Tourists visiting the country?
Before visiting the country, you should know that the rainy season begins in Sri Lanka at the end of spring and until autumn. In summer, rain can be avoided on the eastern part of the island. If vacation is impossible in winter, then, knowing this information, any tourist will know where it is better to go in the hot season. And the southern or West Coast It is better to visit in the canopy or in winter.
Economic situation?
In the world economy, the island of Ceylon was associated with the production of tea, rubber, cinnamon and the mining of precious stones. The country is in 4th place in the world in tea production. Sri Lanka exports tea, rubber, coconuts, graphite, sapphires, rubies and others gems. Agriculture accounts for 20% of exports, with textiles being the main industry.
Political situation in the country?
The political situation in Sri Lanka is unstable. There are many military personnel on the streets, checkpoints are set up on the roads, railway stations and bus stations are fenced off. There are military personnel at the entrances who check the documents of all passengers. Some hotels, national parks and resort areas are protected by the national army.
Religious affiliation of the population?
The main religions are Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam. The majority of the inhabitants, the Sinhalese, profess Buddhism. Most of the Tamil population is Hindu. The Malays and Moors adhere to the Muslim religion. 7.6% are burghers and part of the Tamil and Sinhalese population who are Christians.
Customs rules and regulations?
The import and export of any amount of foreign currency is permitted. Large amounts must be declared. The import of national currencies of India and Pakistan is prohibited. National currency Sri Lankan currency (rupees) can be imported and exported from the country in limited quantities. Upon entry, a declaration of expensive items is required.
Allowed duty free import 2 bottles of wine and 1.5 liters of spirits. Duty-free import of up to 200 cigarettes / 50 cigars / 250g of tobacco per person. Tobacco products that exceed import standards are declared and subject to duty. Foreign currency: amounts over $15,000 must be declared. Amounts over $5,000 must also be declared if you intend to take them out on your return flight. The import of Indian and Pakistani currencies is prohibited. A maximum value of 5,000 rupees is allowed. It is necessary to declare jewelry and jewelry to avoid any delays during export.
It is prohibited to import or export:
explosives, weapons, ammunition, piercing and cutting objects, drugs and psychotropic substances, pornography, materials ridiculing any faith.
Visa?
For a short-term visit to Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, business trips or for transit through the country, you must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). For other purposes of travel or for a long-term stay in the country, it is necessary to obtain other types of visas in advance.
Attractions?
Adam's Peak
The most visited attraction in Sri Lanka, which is sacred to 4 world religions.
Sigiriya is a picturesque mountain with a city built on top.
Mount Dambulla is a large religious complex located in the center of the island. This place is deeply appreciated by lovers of architecture and history, as there are unique cave temples, monasteries and other archaeological sites.
The city of Kandy - considered the cultural capital of the island nation, is located right in the middle of Sri Lanka considered the cultural capital of the island nation.
The elephant nursery is home to babies who have been left without parents or have suffered from poachers. Here, elephant calves are raised, some are sent to zoos, and others are trained to work in Ceylon.
Tea industry Until 1839, tea was not grown in Ceylon. Only in 1839 did English colonialists bring tea bush seeds to the island. The father of the Ceylon tea industry is James Taylor. Due to its exceptional characteristics ceylon tea recognized as the best in the world and has maintained an excellent reputation for more than a century. Tea harvesting takes place throughout the year.
Holidays and festivals?
The main holidays in Sri Lanka are February 4 and Independence Day. In addition, a number of Buddhist, Muslim and Christian holidays are celebrated. Weekends, in addition to Saturday and Sunday, are full moon days - Roya Day, which are intended for meditation.
What attractions should you visit first?
Pinnawela - the kingdom of elephants
There is a wonderful elephant nursery in Pinnawala. That is why tourists are always taken here to meet our little brothers. You can watch the life of elephants. Moreover, the elephants here are of almost all ages: from four-month-old babies to adult, self-sufficient individuals.
Royal Botanic Garden
While exploring Kandy, tourists should definitely check out Peradeniya. It is here that the best Royal Botanical Garden in Asia is located.
Its beauty, like the skill of its designers, cannot be expressed in words.
Elephant nursery
Ceylon Island
Main tourist areas?
Main beach areas: Marawila, Waikkal, Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwella, Bentota, Induruwa, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Koggala, Weligama, Dickwella, Tangalle, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay.
The main excursion areas: Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Mount Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa.
Tips?
Tipping in Sri Lanka is considered optional but encouraged, with coins tipped being considered ignorant, so it is best to leave a small denomination. Only in expensive hotels and restaurants a 10% service charge is already included in the bill. In a cafe, tips are usually 10% of the bill. Taxi drivers, maids and porters will also not refuse a small amount, which will express gratitude for good service.
Currency exchange?
It is better to exchange money at Colombo airport. The receipt received during the official currency exchange should be kept until the end of the trip. In this case, when departing from Colombo, the tourist will have the opportunity to convert back unspent money at the airport bank at the rate of purchase. Money can also be exchanged at any hotel and bank. Banks are open from 9:00 to 13:00 from Monday to Friday.
Large hotels and shops accept international credit cards for payment.
Opening hours for shops, bars, cafes, restaurants?
Stores in Sri Lanka operate according to the following schedule: weekdays from 10:00 to 20:00, on Saturdays - from 9:30 to 13:00, on Sundays - rest. Many shops in resort areas are open much longer and are often open on weekends. Some stores, especially in the provinces, have their own opening hours. In most cases, bars and restaurants operate according to their own hours.
Popular resorts?
Colombo is one of the largest Central Asia sea ports. There are five-star hotels, high-rise buildings, numerous souvenir shops, street markets and all kinds of temples.
South coast Negombo is a popular place for fishing for exotic fish.
Kalutara is a resort area in the southwest of the island, which is famous for its sports clubs.
Beruwela is located 56 km south of Colombo. Over the course of several years, new hotels appeared here and the tourism infrastructure was developed.
Bentota is a famous resort with many hotels, a railway station, shopping mall, shops, cafes and an open-air theater where masquerades and puppet shows take place.
Crime?
The situation with crime in Sri Lanka is better. There are very few serious crimes. Theft is the maximum that tourists can suffer from. Theft of personal items from rooms, pickpocketing, and theft from hotel safes do occur, so the necessary security measures should be taken. Robberies involving the snatching of bags, phones, and cameras occur extremely rarely.
The point is that, regardless of the season and location of the resort, there are always many more sunny and hot days on the island, so you can relax there in both summer and winter. It’s not without reason that the state is called paradise on Earth – geography of sri lanka It amazes with its diversity and richness: there are high mountains, gentle hills and narrow gorges. Geologists explain this phenomenon by the fact that the island has been submerged under water for millions of years. Indian Ocean, then rose outside.
The water washed away the rocks of the island, forming its surface. In the middle of the island there is a colorful mountain range, and the rest are quiet lowlands and beautiful coastal areas washed by the sky-blue ocean. This helped develop tourism sri lanka to a high level.
Sri Lanka time
Sri Lanka is located at 800 km. from the equator and 180 degrees from the Prime Meridian. Therefore – UTC +6. By time Sri Lanka ahead of Moscow by two hours, and Kyiv by three. When calculating time, transition to other time modes should be taken into account.
Climate of Sri Lanka
Proximity to the equator and unusual geography greatly influenced . The center and north of Sri Lanka are located in the subequatorial zone, and the eastern and western parts are in the equatorial zone. The island is protected from temperature changes by a mountain range that stops gusts of wind, so it is warm here all year round. This idyll is overshadowed only by the summer rainy season, which lasts from June to August. The rest of the time the weather is hot, dry and calm.
Sri Lanka weather
Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from +27 to + 30. Temperature fluctuations in the hottest and coldest months do not exceed 5 degrees. Sri Lanka weather in cities it is characterized by high humidity, while the coast is more comfortable for relaxation due to the influence of the ocean.
Nature of Sri Lanka
The climatic zones and geography of the island determine its lush flora and fauna. In the green jungle, entwined with vines and orchids, you can meet exotic animals with incredibly bright colors. There you can meet monkeys, lemurs, huge insects and birds. As soon as the sun sets, predators enter the arena of the animal world - tigers, lions and leopards. Nature of Sri Lanka preserved thanks to careful Buddhist traditions, which helped protect such rare view like wild elephants.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
Figures and facts.
Square– 65610 sq. km Population – 17619000Capital– Colombo (588000)
Another Big City – Moratuwa (135,000)
Highest point – Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m)
Official languages– Sinhala, Tamil, English Major religions– Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam Currency unit– Sri Lanka rupeeMain export items– textiles, clothing, tea, precious stones, rubber, coconuts
The island of Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean, near the South Asian subcontinent. Occupying an area of about 66 thousand square meters. km, it is approximately equal to such large islands as Ireland or Tasmania.
"Lanka" in ancient Indian Sanskrit language means "country, land." The prefix "Sri", widely used in South Asia when addressing highly respected people, reflects the great love that the 15 million Sri Lankan people feel for their homeland. He calls her “blessed, honorable Lanka.”
The nature of Sri Lanka is blessed. But it's not just the lush tropical nature that creates the enchanting experience. Sri Lanka is a country of ancient and distinctive culture, whose history dates back to the first millennium BC. Forest thickets hide the ruins of ancient capitals with the remains of immortal works of human genius.
For four and a half centuries, foreign colonialists ruled the island - Portuguese, Dutch, British. In February 1948, the country achieved independence, turning from a British colony into a dominion. In 1972, a new constitution was adopted and a republic was proclaimed. At the same time, the old name of Ceylon was replaced by a new one - Sri Lanka. Since 1978, the country began to be called the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The people of Sri Lanka are on a difficult journey to strengthen and develop their national economy.
Sri Lanka plays a significant role in the non-aligned movement, which covers about a hundred countries around the world and makes an important contribution to the struggle of mankind against the threat of atomic war.
Sri Lanka is part of the British Commonwealth. Area 65.6 thousand square meters. km. Population 13.7 million people (1976). The capital is Colombo. Administratively, Sri Lanka is divided into 9 provinces, governed by provincial councils. The provinces are divided into 22 districts.
PAGES OF HISTORY.
Many scientists believe that the first mention of Sri Lanka is in the ancient Indian epic "Ramayana".
The written history of the country begins in the 6th century. BC e., when people from North India led by Prince Vijaya landed on the island in 543. The Sinhalese chronicle Mahavamsa tells about this.
Vijaya was expelled from North India. Being the eldest son of one of the rulers, he entered into a struggle for power, but was defeated. With his followers, the prince sailed on a ship from India and, after long wanderings, ended up on the island of Lanka. Prince Vijaya named the island after his family name “Sinhaladvipa”, i.e. “lion island”, and the immigrants from India who settled on it began to be called “Sinhalas” - lion-like. The name of the island of Sinhala English language transformed over time into "Silon", which led to the Russian "Ceylon". This is the etymology of the word.
Subsequently, there were several more waves of migration to the island of people from neighboring India. Having pushed the Veddas and other local tribes into the jungle and mountainous part of the country, they settled on a vast, relatively dry plain in the northwestern and eastern parts of the island, and created a large center of irrigated agriculture there.
In the 3rd century. BC e. Sinhalese ruler Devanampiya Tissa united most of the island into a single state. During his reign, the Sinhalese adopted Buddhism. The penetration of Buddhism had a great influence on the development of national culture.
The favorable geographical position of the island contributed to the fact that already in the first centuries AD, Sri Lanka became one of major centers international trade. She traded with India, China and other Asian countries. Numerous cities arose on the coast of the island, where foreign merchants conducted brisk trade. This period is considered the "golden age" of Sri Lankan history.
Internecine strife and wars led to the 5th century. n. e. to the collapse of the state, which favored the invasion of Tamils from South India. They seized power on the island into their own hands several times. During this period, the country practically fell into decay.
In the second half of the 11th century. The Sinhalese managed to gather strength and began to fight against the Tamils who came from South India, for the unification of the country. This struggle was crowned with success. A new state was created with Polonnaruwa as its capital.
Irrigation structures necessary for rice cultivation were created. Heavy earthworks to create irrigation structures were carried out by slave prisoners of war captured during continuous wars, as well as communal peasants who were forced to carry out work to maintain irrigation structures. The expansion of artificial irrigation contributed to further development agriculture.
At the beginning of the 13th century. The army of the Tamil ruler Magha landed in the north of the island. The invasion of the South Indian conquerors was devastating: cities and irrigation systems were destroyed, cultivated fields were abandoned. As a result of fierce bloody battles, the country was divided between Tamil and Sinhalese rulers.
In the middle of the 13th century. As a result of prolonged wars, the Tamils were pushed back to the northern part of the country - the Jaffna Peninsula and the adjacent areas.
By the beginning of the 16th century. there were about 30 feudal principalities on the island, of which only the Sinhala kingdoms in Kandy and Kotte were large.
The rich island has always attracted the attention of conquerors - and not only the rulers of South India, but also such a distant country as China.
The first European colonial power to establish control over part of the island country was Portugal. Its ships appeared off the coast of Sri Lanka in 1505. Too late, the king realized that he had become a vassal of Portugal and, as such, was forced to pay an annual tribute of cinnamon, sapphires and elephants. Internal unrest on the island made it easier for the conquerors to seize territory and organize trading posts.
The Portuguese laid the foundation for the future capital of Sri Lanka, the history of which also dates back to 1505.
At the first stage, i.e. Until the middle of the 16th century. The Portuguese fortified themselves on the island. By the end of the 16th century. they no longer needed the services of local rulers.
Beginning of the 17th century in Europe is characterized by a further intensification of the struggle for the acquisition of new colonies, especially among countries such as the Netherlands, England and France. The island of Sri Lanka, with its bases at Colombo and Trincomalee, was valuable as an important strategic hub on ocean routes.
Almost a hundred years after the first appearance of the Portuguese, Dutch ships entered the coastal waters of the island. This was in 1602. They belonged to the Dutch East India Company, which was engaged in trade and colonial conquests in Asia.
Step by step, the Dutch began to oust the Portuguese from the island.
Thus, the history of Sri Lanka is full of dramatic
events. In the 16th century, the island became a colony of Portugal, in the 17th century - of the Netherlands, from the 18th to the mid-20th centuries. - Great Britain. The country gained independence in 1948, and
proclaimed former Ceylon a free and sovereign republic.
Currently, in the context of an aggravated political situation, a rise in the national liberation movement has begun to be observed.
In the 80s and 90s, old contradictions aggravated again in the country. The Tamil Hindus living in the north did not want to submit to the Sinhala Buddhists of the south. The guerrilla war claimed thousands of lives and many Tamils had to flee to India.
Since 1983, the Sinhala-Tamil conflict has entered the stage of open armed confrontation. At the same time, a state of emergency was introduced in the country, which continues (with short interruptions) to this day.
POLITICAL SYSTEM.
Sri Lanka is a republic. The current constitution came into force on May 22, 1972. The head of state is the president, who is also the head of executive power and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The term of office of the president is 6 years. The highest legislative body is the one-party parliament - the National State Assembly, whose deputies are elected for 6 years. The government - the Council of Ministers - is headed by the Prime Minister.
The judicial system includes the Supreme Court. Judges are appointed by the Council of Ministers, members Supreme Court- President.
The official capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the actual capital is Colombo (800 thousand, 1991).
ECONOMIC AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
general characteristics farms.
The main role is played by agriculture, where more than 1/3 of the value is created national product(in industry - about 1/8). The plantation economy, which developed during the colonial era, forms the basis of the country's modern economy, which continues to be heavily dependent on the external market. Under conditions of independence, a number of state development programs and reforms were implemented aimed at transforming agriculture in order to increase food production, expand energy and industrial construction, and strengthen state control over the activities of foreign capital. State owned railway transport, port facilities, the largest industrial enterprises, power plants and irrigation facilities; A system of state corporations has been created that manage many industrial enterprises, plantations, and commercial establishments. As a result of the nationalization of plantations owned by foreign and local private capital, more than 400 tea, rubber and coconut plantations (with a total area of 160 thousand hectares) came under state control. All plantations with an area of more than 20 hectares have been nationalized. The activities of foreign banks are limited; All tea trading transactions go through the State Bank of Sri Lanka. Along with the growth of statehood, the positions of the private capitalist sector are preserved and strengthened.
Despite the island position of Sri Lanka, rail and road communications are maintained between it and India. For this purpose, Adam's Bridge is used - a chain of small islands, coral reefs and shoals stretching between Sri Lanka and the mainland. The Indian island of Pamban and some smaller islets are connected to Hindustan by causeways and bridges, and the Sri Lankan island of Manar is similarly connected to Sri Lanka. Between end railway stations, located on Pamban and Manara, there are ferries carrying trains and cars.
NATURE.
The shores of the island are predominantly low-lying, often lagoonal, bordered by coral reefs, slightly indented, with separate bays. Sri Lanka has preserved its vibrant, rich nature. But it has already been significantly changed by man, many natural landscapes have become anthropogenic, and some natural resources have been depleted. To preserve the beneficial nature, measures are taken to protect and rationally use it. Nature reserves and sanctuaries have been created in different parts of the island. National parks.
Relief.
Over 80% of the territory is occupied by low-lying plains, over which individual rocky outcrops rise. In the central and southern parts– stepped highland, with leveled surfaces and steep fault ledges; the upper tier is formed by table surfaces (the tops of most mountains are leveled, which is why they are called table surfaces) and steep peaks - Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m), Adam's Peak (2243 m), reminiscent of a huge pyramid in shape, etc.
Sri Lanka is one of the largest islands of the globe, but its size is relatively small: the maximum length from north to south is 430 km, from west to east – 225 km. But how diverse, bright and uniquely picturesque is the nature of this comparatively small country!
Geological structure and minerals.
Sri Lanka occupies part of the Hindu Shield of the Indian Platform, the foundation of which is composed of crystalline schists, quartzites, marbles, etc. Coastal-marine Quaternary deposits (pebbles, gravel, sand, clay) are common along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Main minerals: graphite (with total reserves of 20 million tons), precious and semi-precious minerals (sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, topaz), quartz sand, etc.
Geological history has firmly linked Sri Lanka with the Hindustan Peninsula. From a geological point of view, the island is integral with the Deccan Plateau, which occupies a significant part of India. In the distant past, the titanic internal forces of the Earth separated its southern part from the continent, forming an island.
Oil exploration is underway in the country. According to experts, there are sedimentary structures promising for oil on the Sri Lankan shelf. Since the 80s, exploration work has begun in the shelf zone, for which the state oil corporation of Sri Lanka has entered into long-term contracts with companies in the USA and Canada.
Climate
The climate is monsoonal, subequatorial in the north and east, equatorial in the south and west. The air temperature on the plains is 26 - 300C, in the mountains it drops to 15 - 200C, changing slightly throughout the year. Sri Lanka is located between 5054' and 9052' north latitude, i.e. close to the equator. Therefore, there is a constant high temperature all year round. In the lowlands, the average annual temperatures are 26 - 280C, the difference between the average temperatures of the hottest and relatively cool months does not exceed 2 - 50C. One of the coldest places on the island - mountain resort Nuwara Eliya, located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. This city is called “a piece of the north” on the island. The average annual temperature here is around +150.
The seasons in Sri Lanka are determined not by changes in temperature conditions, but by differences in rainfall patterns. The greatest number of them occurs in the summer - when moisture-rich southwest monsoon winds dominate. The summer monsoon begins in May and subsides in September. At the height of the monsoon period, from June to August, it rains daily, often torrential downpours.
The greatest amount of precipitation (up to 5000 mm per year) falls on the southwestern slopes of the highlands, at the foot of the mountains - up to 2000 mm per year. The least amount of precipitation (less than 1000 mm per year) is on the northwestern and southeastern coasts. During the spring and fall, many areas experience heavy convective afternoon rainfall.
Inland waters.
The river network is dense. Short, deep rivers (the largest, the Mahaweli Ganga River, “a river with sandy banks,” is 330 km long) begin in the central highlands and spread radially in all directions, forming waterfalls in the mountains. Typically, the length of rivers is 100–150 km.
All rivers are characterized by inconsistency of regime. During the rainy season, they quickly overflow, sometimes causing devastating floods. Lankan rivers are unsuitable for navigation. They are used for irrigation (mainly in the north and east); Numerous reservoirs were built. Small hydroelectric power stations have been built on some rivers.
Soils and vegetation.
The soils are red earth and lateritic, along the river valleys and along the coasts there are strips of alluvial soils. Natural vegetation covers about ¾ of the island's surface. On the southwestern slopes of the mountains and in some places at the foot, moist equatorial forests have been preserved (individual trees reach a height of 80 m) with a huge variety of species. The tree stand consists of palm trees, dipterocarps, etc.; the forests are distinguished by rich undergrowth and an abundance of mosses. The plains in the north and east of the island and the adjacent slopes of the highlands are covered with secondary deciduous forests (tree height 9-12 m). The plateaus are occupied by savannah-type wastelands (a combination of tall, coarse grasses with isolated trees), above 2000 m there is crooked forest. Along the northwestern and southeastern coasts there are thickets of thorny bushes, and in places near the coasts there are mango forests and coconut palms.
Animal world.
The fauna of Sri Lanka, like the flora, has much in common with South India. Wild elephants remain in the mountain forests of the humid southwest, but as a result of long-term extermination, their numbers have decreased. Currently, elephants are protected by the state, hunting them is prohibited, their numbers began to increase and reached two thousand. Richly and brightly decorated, the king of the jungle always participates in solemn religious processions and other festivities.
There are predators in Sri Lanka. The local bear is called a “slobber” - it has long, mobile lips like a small trunk.
There are many monkeys in the forests, and often in the trees surrounding village huts. There are large chiropteran mammals that resemble large bats - flying dogs, squirrels, foxes. Clinging their paws to tree branches, they hang in whole clusters.
IN big rivers far from the villages there are crocodiles up to 8 m long, so swimming there is prohibited. A lot of poisonous snakes. Of these, cobra and tikpalonga are especially dangerous. The sea and river waters of Sri Lanka are rich in fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
The fauna is of the Indo-Malayan type, with an admixture of Madagascar species (lemurs). Mammals include the elephant, Ceylon bear, leopard, lynx, 5 species of monkeys, deer, wild boars; an abundance of birds (parrots, peacocks, flamingos, storks), many lizards, snakes, crocodiles. There are a variety of insects (butterflies, ants, termites, malaria mosquitoes, etc.).
HOUSEKEEPING.
Agriculture.
The agrarian reform of 1977, which provided for the limitation of large land ownership, has not yet significantly changed the nature of land ownership and land use. A significant part of the land is still concentrated in the hands of relatively large owners, churches and monasteries. Masses of peasants suffer from landlessness and land scarcity. Slightly shortened rent for the use of land. Two types of farms predominate: capitalist, mainly plantation farms, which widely use hired labor, and small-scale or semi-subsistence peasant farms - tenants or owners. Land leasing is widespread. The process of agricultural cooperation has become an important component of agrarian reforms.
IN agriculture About 37% of the country's territory (2.4 million hectares) is used, mainly in the wet zone, including 895 thousand hectares of arable land, 1084 thousand hectares of perennial plantation crops, 439 thousand hectares of pastures and meadows. 430 thousand hectares are irrigated. Over 40% of the country's territory (2.9 million hectares) is forested. Plantation farming, concentrated mainly in the central and southwestern parts islands, specializes in the production of export crops - tea, rubber, coconut palm products. In tea harvesting, Sri Lanka is second only to India and China. Food crops for local needs are grown mainly on peasant farms. The main food crop is rice, which is harvested twice a year. Rice is grown everywhere on the island, but the loose alluvial soils of river valleys and coastal lowlands are most favorable for it. Often, artificial terraces are created on mountain slopes for rice fields. Water flows through a channel diverted from the reservoir from the upper terraces to the lower ones, creating constant moisture in the fields. Rice is usually grown year-round. The winter agricultural season is called maha (large), and the summer season is called yala (small). Since the second half of the 70s, the government of Sri Lanka began to implement a program of modernization and intensification of rice farming. At the same time, the Sri Lankan authorities used useful recommendations UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). As a result of all the measures aimed at increasing the rice harvest, it more than doubled during the years of independence and reached by 1982. 2 million tons. The government sets a goal in the coming years to increase the harvest of rice so much as to be able to abandon its import and even begin exporting in small quantities.
Other food crops include millet, corn, legumes, sweet potatoes, cassava, vegetables, spices (cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom); industrial crops include fibrous and oilseed crops; fruit crops include bananas and pineapples.
Livestock farming is poorly developed; cattle are used more often as draft power. To boost this industry, state livestock farms are being organized and opportunities are being sought to expand the feed supply. There are (1975) 2.5 million heads of cattle (including 0.7 million buffaloes), 0.55 million goats. Elephants are also used as working animals. Sri Lanka is dependent on imports of livestock products, and its per capita consumption ranks one of the last in the world. In order to expand the food supply, livestock grazing is being practiced on coconut plantations, and the production of concentrated feed is increasing. Particular attention is paid to the development of dairy farming and poultry farming, but the results achieved so far are small.
The achievements in the development of fisheries are more significant. Since independence, the fish catch in Sri Lanka has increased 6 times. Fishing vessels and equipment are purchased abroad, port facilities and fish processing plants are built. Fish catch 129 thousand tons (1975). Pearl fishing is underway.
Industry.
Sri Lankan industry remains characterized by the predominance of many small, including artisanal enterprises; some large enterprises are created mainly in the public sector.
The island is poor in mineral fuel; fuel is imported. Sri Lanka is a supplier of high-quality graphite to the foreign market; rutile, zircon, salt, and precious stones are mined in small quantities. The main source of expanding the energy base is hydropower. Construction of state hydroelectric power stations is underway.
Traditional manufacturing industries include tea, rubber processing, copra and coconut oil production. Enterprises in these industries are located primarily in areas of large plantations. There are rice cleaning, sugar and other food industry enterprises, as well as textile, footwear and some other light industry enterprises. Heavy industry is in its infancy. Among the mechanical engineering and metalworking enterprises are mainly assembly plants that supply equipment for light industry, transport equipment, agricultural implements, etc. The production of fertilizers, oil refining, and wood processing is expanding. The main industrial center is Colombo and its environs. Ancient traditional crafts (blacksmithing, pottery, weaving) are widespread.
Transport.
Road transport is of primary importance; length highways over 25 thousand km, railways– about 1.8 thousand km – according to data for 1991. (in 1979, the length of railways was 1.5 thousand km, roads - 21.5 thousand km). Most of the foreign sea trade shipping belongs to English companies; its own fleet is also being created. The total cargo turnover of the ports - Colombo (through which up to 90% of imports and over ½ of exports of Sri Lanka is carried out), Galle, Trincomalee - is about 5 million tons. Colombo is of international importance as an air communications hub.
POPULATION
People and culture.
70% of the population are Sinhalese, 20% are Tamils. The Sinhalese (9.8 million people; 1975) inhabit the western, central and southern regions of the country. The official languages are Sinhala, Tamil and English. Tamils (2.6 million people) make up 2 separate branches: Sri Lankan (in the northern and eastern regions) and Indian (in central regions). They speak Tamil. Small peoples of mixed origin include the Ceylon Moors (854 thousand people), the burghers of Ceylon (44 thousand people), and the Malays (42 thousand people). The descendants of the ancient population are the Veddas. By religious affiliation, about 67% of the population (Sinhalese) are Buddhists, over 17.5% (Tamils) are Hindus, 7% (Moors, Malays) are Muslims, 7% (burghers, some Tamils, etc.) are Christians, mostly Catholics . Natural population growth (2.2% per year, 1970-1974) occurs due to high birth rates and a significant decrease in mortality. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Immigration from India played a significant role in the increase in population. In 1965 A state policy of birth control was proclaimed. On average, the number of births per 1000 inhabitants was 38 in the mid-40s, and about 27 in the early 80s. The preservation of a fairly high birth rate is associated with the historical, ethnic and religious traditions inherent in the South Asian peoples. They are characterized by early marriage among young people and the custom of having many children. At the same time, as can be seen from the above figures, the birth rate in Sri Lanka is declining. In addition to government policies, this is also due to the involvement of more women in social production and the spread of an urban lifestyle. These changes manifest themselves differently among different national groups. The birth rate is declining most among the Sinhalese, some of whose families have begun to deliberately limit the number of children (following the state policy of “family planning”). Higher, unchanged fertility rates persist in families of Tamils and some Muslim groups.
51.3% (1971) of the population are men. In the population of modern Sri Lanka, a large share - over 1/3 - are children. The working population aged 15 to 64 years is about 60%. Older people form a small group - about 5% of the population. In 1971 40.6% of the economically active population was employed in agriculture, mainly peasants and plantation agricultural workers. The average population density is over 200 people per 1 sq. km (on some coastal islands it reaches 400 people). Urban population - 22.4% (1971). The most important cities: Colombo (607 thousand people), Jaffna, Kandy, Galle, Moratuwa.
According to data for 1992 The total population of Sri Lanka is 17.5 million people.
The annual per capita income is $510. The unemployment rate is 11% of the population (mostly young people under 25). The rapid rise in prices remains a negative factor. The measures taken by the government to create new jobs and programs to combat poverty can somewhat reduce the severity of social problems.
In terms of education (literacy level - 95% of the population), Sri Lanka occupies one of the leading places in Asia. Education is free, including university education. More than 30 thousand people study at universities in the country.
Over thirty newspapers and magazines are published in all three Sri Lankan languages. Television is represented by two government programs.
Arts and crafts have long made the island famous. Ancients architectural ensembles, sculpture, painting, wood and metal carving appeared here before our era. Wherever you go, you will definitely come across Sinhala masks in any shop, attracting with their unusual shapes, brightness and rich colors. Handicraft production is still widespread in both cities and villages of the republic. Ancient crafts play a significant role in satisfying the country’s internal needs and in the production of some products for export.
National holiday - February 4 - Independence Day. Buddhist or Hindu holidays are widely celebrated in the country. Major Muslim and Christian holidays are also non-working days.
Hospitality has been a long-standing custom of the Sri Lankan people.
FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS.
Over 90% of export value comes from tea (40-60% of foreign exchange earnings), natural rubber and coconut palm products. The main import items are food; industrial products, raw materials and fuel. The main foreign trade partners are China, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, USA, Pakistan, Japan, India.
The monetary unit is the Sri Lanka rupee = 100 cents.
In the international arena, Sri Lanka has taken a pragmatic course. It has been a member of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain, since 1948, the UN - since 1955, the Non-Aligned Movement - since 1961, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) - since 1985. Heads the UN Special Committee on the Indian Ocean. The secretariat of the Indian Ocean Maritime Cooperation Organization (IOMAC) is located in Colombo.
GDP - about 6 billion dollars (annual GDP growth in 1992 - 4.5%). The economic policy pursued by the current government is aimed at liberalizing the economy and creating favorable conditions for the influx of foreign capital. The declaration of the entire territory of the country as a free enterprise zone in 1991 led to a significant increase in foreign investment ($350 million in 1991). Economic assistance from Western donors amounted to more than $1 billion in 1991.
Foreign trade turnover is more than $3.5 billion with a deficit of about $500 million.
In the financial and credit sector of Sri Lanka for last years Some success has been achieved. With the growth of external debt ($6.2 billion in 1991), the rate of its servicing decreased in 1991 from 16 to 15%. Foreign exchange reserves – 1.1 billion dollars. The practice of covering budget deficits through foreign aid and domestic loans did not lead to uncontrolled inflation. Over the past three years, the Ceylon rupee exchange rate has been maintained at 40 - 43 Ceylon rupees per dollar.
Geographical location of Sri Lanka.
SRI LANKA, Democratic Socialist Republic Sri Lanka (until 1972 Ceylon), a state in South Asia, on the island. Sri Lanka is in the Indian Ocean, at the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula, which is separated by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait, between which there is a chain of Adam's Bridge islands. Area 65.6 thousand km2. Population 20.482 million people (2004).
The actual capital of the country is Colombo. The official capital is Sri Jawaiyaardenapura Kotte, a suburb of Colombo.
The political system of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is a unitary republic. Member of the Commonwealth. The current Constitution was adopted in 1978.
The head of state is the president (elected by universal suffrage for a 6-year term). President of Sri Lanka since 1994 - Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge (re-elected to a second term in 1999).
The head of government is the prime minister (appointed by the president). Prime Minister since 2004 - Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The legislative body is the unicameral parliament (National State Assembly), elected for a period of six years.
Administrative divisions of Sri Lanka.
The territory of Sri Lanka is divided into 8 administrative provinces (Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-East, North-West, Uva, North-Central and South), which consist of 25 districts.
Population of Sri Lanka.
About 74% of the population are Sinhalese (inhabit the western, central and southern regions of the country), 18% are Tamils [two separate branches: Sri Lankan (in the northern and eastern regions) and Indian (in the central)], 8% are the so-called. Sri Lankan Moors (descendants of Arabs); there are also several thousand Veddas (descendants of the ancient population of the island), Sri Lankan burghers (descendants of the Portuguese, Dutch and English), as well as Malays.
The official languages are Sinhala and Tamil, and English is widely spoken.
The national-ethnic composition generally corresponds to the religious affiliation of the population: Buddhism is professed by about 70% (mainly Sinhalese), Hinduism - by more than 17% (mainly Tamils), Islam and Christianity - by approximately 8% each (Moors, burghers, etc.) .
Largest cities: Colombo, Moratuwa, Galle, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Kandy.
Climate of Sri Lanka.
The climate is monsoonal, subequatorial in the north and east, equatorial in the south and west. The air temperature on the plains is +26-30 °C, in the mountains it drops to +15-20 °C, changing slightly throughout the year. One of the coldest places on the island is the mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya (1881 m above sea level), the average temperature in January is +14 °C, in May +17 °C.
The greatest amount of precipitation (up to 5000 mm per year) falls on the southwestern slopes of the highlands (mainly during the summer southwest monsoon); at the foot of the mountains - up to 2000 mm per year. On the northeastern slopes of the highlands and adjacent plains most of precipitation falls during the winter northeastern monsoon, the annual amount decreases to 1000-2000 mm; There is a dry season for 8-9 months. The least amount of precipitation (less than 1000 mm per year) is on the northwestern and southeastern coasts. In spring and autumn, many areas receive heavy convective afternoon (so-called zenithal) rains. Air humidity is about 75%.
Natural resources of Sri Lanka.
The length of the island of Sri Lanka from north to south is 445 km, from west to east - 225 km. The shores of the island are predominantly low-lying, often lagoonal, fringed by coral reefs, slightly indented, with separate ingression bays.
Over 80% of the territory is occupied by low-lying plains (100 m above sea level), above which rise individual rocky outcrops (up to 700 m high), often of bizarre shape (resembling a huge animal, a giant book, or the ruins of an ancient temple). In the central and southern parts of the island there is a stepped highland (average height 1000-2000 m) with leveled surfaces, dissected by faults, and steep fault ledges. The upper tier of the highland is formed by table surfaces and steep peaks - Mt. Pidurutalagala (2524 m), Adam's Peak (2243 m), etc. One of the faults consists of isolated links, generally having a meridional orientation; the other has an arcuate shape and a latitudinal strike; in general they look like an anchor, the rod of which extends from north to south.
Sri Lanka occupies part of the Hindu Shield of the Indian Platform, the foundation of which is composed of gneisses, granite-gneisses, scoopites, amphibolites, crystalline schists, quartzites, marbles with intrusions of Upper Proterozoic granites (about 1 billion years ago), dolerite and pegmatite dikes; carbonatites are known. Basement rocks come to the surface on 9/10 of the territory of Sri Lanka; in the north, the foundation is hidden under a cover of sedimentary rocks (sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, limestones, sands, clays) of Jurassic and Miocene age. Along the coast of the Indian Ocean, coastal-marine Quaternary sediments (pebbles, gravel, sand, clay) are common. Laterites are developed on crystalline rocks.
Main minerals: graphite, precious and semi-precious stones (sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, topaz, moonstone, chrysoberyl, etc.), coastal sea “black” sands with ilmenite and rutile, zircon and monazite; apatite, kaolin and other clays, limestone, feldspars, quartz sand.
Sri Lanka's river network is dense. Short, deep rivers (the largest is the Mahaveli River) begin in the Central Highlands and spread radially in all directions, forming waterfalls in the mountains. Kelani and Mahaoya flow to the western bank, Valava and Nilvala - to the southern, Gal and Yan - to the eastern. Used for irrigation (mainly in the north and east); Numerous reservoirs were built.
The soils are red earth and lateritic, along the river valleys and along the coasts there are strips of alluvial soils.
Natural vegetation covers about 3/4 of the island's surface. On the southwestern slopes of the mountains and in some places at their foot (44% of the entire country), humid equatorial forests have been preserved (individual trees reach a height of 80 m) with a huge variety of species (palm trees, dipterocarps, etc.); the forests are distinguished by a rich undergrowth and an abundance of mosses. The plains in the north and east of the island and the adjacent slopes of the highlands are covered with secondary deciduous forests (9-12 m high). The plateaus are occupied by savanna-type wastelands (a combination of tall, coarse grasses with isolated trees), above 2000 m - crooked forests. Along the northwestern and southeastern coasts there are thickets of thorny bushes, and in places near the coasts there are mangrove forests and coconut palms.
The fauna is of the Indo-Malayan type, with an admixture of Madagascar species (lemurs). Mammals: elephant, sloth bear, leopard, lynx, 5 species of monkeys, deer, wild boars, civets. An abundance of birds (parrots, peacocks, flamingos, storks), many lizards, snakes, crocodiles. There are a variety of insects (butterflies, ants, termites, etc.). The number of large animals is steadily declining due to the expansion of agricultural areas and deforestation.
National parks: Wilpattu, Yala (Rukhunu), Gal-Oya. Reserves: (Ritigala, Wasgomuwa, Khakgala). Near Kandy is the large botanical garden of Peradeniya.
Economy and industry of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is an agricultural country with a developed plantation economy. The share of industry in GDP is about 35%. The economy remains dependent on foreign, mainly English, capital and the foreign market. The role of the public sector is increasing.
St. is involved in agriculture. 70% of the economically active population. Over 1/3 of the territory is cultivated. The basis of the economy is the production for export of tea (one of the first places in the world), rubber and coconut palm products. The main food crop is rice. They also grow millet, corn, legumes, sweet potatoes, cassava, vegetables, spices (cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom), industrial crops - fibrous and oilseeds, fruit crops - bananas, pineapples. Livestock farming is poorly developed; cattle (including buffaloes) are used mainly as draft power. Elephants are also used as working animals. Fishing (including coastal).
Graphite, iron ore, precious stones (ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, etc.), ilmenite, rutile, zircon, salt, mica, limestone, peat, etc. are mined.
Sri Lanka relies heavily on hydropower, so energy production is highly dependent on seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and river flow.
Traditional manufacturing industries include tea, rubber processing, copra and coconut oil production. Light (textile, footwear, paper, etc.) and food (sugar) industries are developed. Mechanical engineering, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, production of building materials, woodworking, and oil refining industries are developing. The main industrial center is Colombo and its environs.
Traditional craft production (blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, weaving of mats, bags, hats, ropes, rugs, artistic carving of wood, horn, ivory, tortoiseshell plate, metal chasing, making gold and silver jewelry with precious stones, etc.) .
Tourism is developing. Coastal (Negombo, Beruwela, Bentona, Trincomalee, etc.) and mountain resorts.
Export: tea, rubber, coconut products, ready-made clothing. Import: textile products, machinery and equipment, oil and petroleum products, wheat, sugar, fertilizers. Main foreign trade partners: Saudi Arabia, USA, UK, India, Germany, Japan.
Near Colombo - international Airport in Katunayake.
Main ports: Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee.
The monetary unit is the Sri Lanka rupee. 1 Sri Lankan rupee equals 100 cents.
Sri Lanka is an island with coordinates 7°0" north latitude and 80°0" east longitude. Cartographers and travelers have always compared its shape to a drop of tea or a pearl.
Sri Lanka is separated from India by about 48 km. There is evidence that in ancient times the island was connected to the mainland by a strip of land - “Adam's Bridge”. The area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 km², the size of Holland and Belgium combined. Length coastline 1600 km. The coast is one of the most attractive areas of Sri Lanka. But no less beautiful - and also fertile - are its inland lands, especially the southern ones.
Once upon a time, the entire island was covered with dense jungle, but in the 19th-20th centuries. Most of the forests were cut down, their place was taken by plantations of coffee, tea, palm trees and rubber trees. The main food product of the islanders is rice; coconuts play an equally important role. However, this is not what Sri Lanka is famous for. Her " Business Cards" - the most valuable spices, wonderful Ceylon tea and, of course, precious stones, the capital of which is Ratnapura, the “city of jewels.”
In the central part of the island, in the area of the former colonial resort of Nuwara Eliya, there is the most high mountain Sri Lanka - Pidurutalagala (2524 m). But the lower Peak of Adam enjoys much greater fame and universal veneration. Locals They call it Sri Pada, that is, “noble trace.” It is a place of pilgrimage for adherents of all major religions in the country.
Due to seasonal rainfall, Sri Lanka is geographically divided into wet and dry zones, the latter occupying approximately 3/4 of the country's area. The wet zone is located in the southwestern, western, central and southern parts of the island, and the dry zone, respectively, in the southeast, east and north. However, the term “dry” is very relative. During the monsoon season, there are also heavy rains here, but they do not rain continuously, as in the humid zone. There are two monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka. One lasts from May to November and covers mainly the western and southern regions (southwest monsoon), and the other - from November to January, the northern and eastern regions of the country are exposed to it (northeast monsoon). This means that the most best time for relaxation on the popular southwestern beaches of Sri Lanka - from November to February, that is, when winter dominates in the Northern Hemisphere. But tourists should remember that although they go to the tropics, almost to the equator itself, in the mountainous regions of the center of the country it can be quite cold in the evening and at night, especially on the windswept Horton Plateau. U north coast Sri Lanka, in the Jaffna region, there are several small islands. From the south, the endless expanses of the Indian Ocean open up: apart from a few coral islands, there is no other land as far as Antarctica.