Sri Lanka geography. Geography of the Republic of Sri Lanka: nature, climate, population, flora and fauna. Flora and fauna of Sri Lanka
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 amazes with its diversity and richness: there are also high mountains, and 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 major 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, gems, 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 Democratic Socialist Republic 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 in English was 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.
Favorable geographical position islands 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 the further development of 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 over 1/3 of the value of the national product is created (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 there is a 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. Lots 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. The plantation economy, concentrated mainly in the central and southwestern parts of the island, specializes in the production of export crops - tea, rubber, and 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 supplying 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 foreign maritime 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 Sri Lanka's exports is carried out), Galle, Trincomalee - is about 5 million tons. Colombo is of international importance as a hub air services.
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. official languages– 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) population - 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.
Sri Lanka is located in South Asia and is an island. The island of Sri Lanka is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and its Bay of Bengal. It is separated from Hindustan by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait, 50 km wide. T.N. Adam's Bridge - a chain of islands in the Palk Strait - once completely connected Sri Lanka with the mainland, but, according to chronicles, was destroyed by an earthquake around 1481. The island is 350 km long, its width is 180 km at its widest part, and it is the same size as Tasmania or Ireland.
The state of Sri Lanka is located between 5`54` and 9`52` northern latitude, 800 km. from the equator. The northern and central parts of the island are located in the subequatorial, and South part in equatorial zones. The total area is 65,610 sq. km, the length from north to south is 445 km, and from west to east 225 km. According to geologists, the island repeatedly rose from the water and sank again. Over many centuries, displacement of geological layers formed hills, mountains and gorges. The main part of the island is occupied by a plain, the height of which rarely exceeds 100 m above sea level.
In fact, the capital is Colombo (the seat of government and the main institutions of the country are located here), while the official suburb of Colombo is Sri Jaya-Vardenapura (Jayawardenapura-Kotte), where the country's legislative bodies and a number of administrative organizations are located.
Relief of Sri Lanka
In the center of the island is the Central Mountain Range. Average height mountains - 1000-2000 m above sea level, but some peaks rise higher. The most high point islands - Mount Pidurutalagala has a height of 2524 m, then Kirigalpotta - 2395 m, Totopolakanda - 2357 m. However, the most famous is the majestic Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) - 2243 m.
Many rivers of Sri Lanka flow from these mountains. The largest river, the Mahaweli Ganga (335 km), originates near Adam's Peak and flows into the Indian Ocean in the east of Sri Lanka near Trincomalee. Other rivers are Malvanuna Oya - 164 km, Kelani Ganga - 145 km. The only river that does not originate in the mountains, Kala Oya - 148 km, flows from the ancient giant Kalaveva reservoir, built in the 5th century AD. Many rivers are navigable. Where there are mountains and rivers, there are also waterfalls. At 212 metres, Coslanda Bride Vale, the Bridal Veil, is one of the tallest single-spout waterfalls in the world. Babarakanda Waterfall - 241 m. The highest cascade on the island.
The east coast of Sri Lanka has hundreds of kilometers of uninterrupted white beaches, clear turquoise ocean, coral reefs and a huge variety of flora. In the northeast, 6-12 km. from Trincomalee Bay, there are two cozy hotels - Club Oceanic and Nilaveli Beach Hotel from which you can visit unique diving and snorkeling sites, daily excursions to coral island Pidgeon. 14% of the island's territory is occupied by national parks, nature reserves and reservations. The largest of them are National Park Yala (309 km from Colombo), Udawalawe National Park (170 km from Colombo), Wasgamuwa National Park (200 km from Colombo), Wilpatu National Park (176 km from Colombo) and Bundala National Park (260 km from Colombo) Colombo).
The southwest coast of Sri Lanka is continuous with golden beaches, hotels and small towns - such as Negombo, Marawila, Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle. The atmosphere of the resort reigns throughout - blue ocean, golden sand, coconut palms, chic and cheap hotels. The capital of Sri Lanka is the city of Colombo, located in the western part of the island, on the ocean shore.
Minerals of Sri Lanka
The ancient Precambrian shield, which lies at the base of the Deccan Plateau of Hindustan, continues in the depths of Sri Lanka. Among its crystalline rocks lie many minerals. The most famous are deposits of high-quality crystalline graphite, in terms of reserves of which Sri Lanka ranks first in the world.
Deposits of phosphorites and mica are being developed. In some coastal areas, large areas are occupied by black monazite sands containing rare and radioactive elements. Local residents use laterite to build houses, which is formed during the weathering of crystalline rocks containing compounds of aluminum and iron (the latter give laterites their brick-red color). Laterite is easily cut into bricks, which quickly become hard in air.
Sri Lanka is famous for its precious stones: rubies, sapphires, topazes, amethysts. As the ancient chronicle “Mahavamsa” testifies, many kings and sultans in other countries decorated their crowns with these stones mined on the island. Centuries of predatory exploitation have led to the depletion of rich deposits, but the extraction of precious stones still continues.
The country is searching for oil, and Soviet geologists also took part in it in the 1970s. According to experts, there are sedimentary structures promising for oil on the Sri Lankan shelf. Since the 80s, exploration work began in the shelf zone, for which the state oil corporation of Sri Lanka entered into long-term contracts with companies in the USA and Canada. There is an agreement with the Indian Oil and Natural Gas Commission on joint exploration work.
Inland waters of Sri Lanka
Plain rivers are short, mountain rivers have great hydroelectric potential. The water in most rivers is warm. The largest rivers are Mahaweli-Ganga, Kelani, Kalu, Aruvi-Aru.
Mahaweli Ganga is the largest river in Sri Lanka. Length 335 km. It originates in the central province. Its basin is the largest in the country, covering almost one fifth of the total area islands. The river reaches the Bay of Bengal on the northwestern part of the island. 6 hydroelectric dams were built on the river.
Climate of Sri Lanka
The climate in Sri Lanka is subequatorial and equatorial monsoon, greatly complicated by the topography and the general orientation of the island from north to south. The average annual temperature on the plains is about +29-31°C (seasonal variations are insignificant), in the mountainous part - from +16°C to +24°C. The sea water temperature is above +25°C all year round.
Air humidity is high and almost always remains above 75%. Precipitation ranges from 1000 (northern and eastern regions) to 5000 (southwest coast) mm per year. The rainy season occurs from May to September (southwest monsoon) and October to April (northeast monsoon), but these periods often have different time frames in different areas of the island.
Flora and fauna of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's natural environment contains many unique species and is considered one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. The level of endemism of animals and plants in Sri Lanka is 16% of the total fauna and 23% of the flowering flora. The flora of Sri Lanka is diverse and has a high degree of endemism. It includes 3,210 species of flowering plants from 1,052 genera. 916 species and 18 genera are endemic to the island. There are 8 types of forests in Sri Lanka.
In the southwest, at the foot of the mountains and on their slopes, in some places, dense moist equatorial forests with a huge variety of vegetation types have been preserved ( ebony, teak, silk wood, fruit trees). Along the northwestern and southeastern coasts, thorny bushes grow, and mangrove forests and coconut palms are sometimes found.
Fauna. Sri Lanka is home to 91 species, 41 of which are endangered (9 critically endangered). 16 species are endemic to the island, of which 14 are endangered, including the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), the endemic Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), and the Indian sambar deer (Cervus unicolor). Among the 11 orders, the largest number of species belongs to the order Chiroptera (30 species). In the sea waters surrounding Sri Lanka, 26 species of the order Cetaceans are found.
Sri Lanka is home to: 227 species of birds (previously up to 486 species were recorded), 46 of which are endangered (10 critically endangered); 171 species of reptiles live in Sri Lanka, of which 56 are endangered and 101 species endemic to the island (mainly snakes). And the largest species are represented by two crocodiles: the Swamp crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and Saltwater crocodile(Crocodylus porosus).
Sri Lanka is one of the most species-diverse regions in the world for the class Amphibians. It is home to 106 species of amphibians, of which 90 are endemic to the island and this is the highest species density for amphibians in the world. 52 species are threatened with extinction, almost all of them (except one) are endemic.
There are 82 species of freshwater fish found in Sri Lanka, of which 28 are endangered. Butterflies are represented on the island by 245 species, of which 23 are endemic and cannot be found anywhere else. 76 species are threatened with extinction, especially the species Pachliopta jophon.
Population of Sri Lanka
Population - 21.3 million (estimated as of July 2009). Annual growth - 0.9%. Birth rate - 16.2 per 1000 (fertility - 1.99 births per woman); Mortality - 6.1 per 1000; Emigration - 1.1 per 1000; Infant mortality - 18.5 per 1000; Average life expectancy is 73 years for men, 77 years for women.
Sinhalese constitute about 75% and Tamils about 18% of the population, mainly in the northern and eastern regions. There are also Sri Lankan Moors (Larakalla - descendants of Arabs) - about 7%, burghers (descendants of mixed marriages with Europeans) - about 0.3%, Veddas (descendants of the oldest population of the island) - about 1 thousand people.
About 70% of the population (mainly Sinhalese) profess Buddhism, 15% Hinduism (Tamils), 8% Christianity, 7% Islam (Lankan Moors). Literacy - 92% of men, 89% of women (according to the 2001 census).
Official languages are Sinhala and Tamil, widely spoken English language. 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.
Source - http://travellanka.ru/geografia.html
http://ru.wikipedia.org/
http://www.shri-lank.ru/
Sri Lanka- a state in South Asia, on the island of the same name off the southeastern coast of Hindustan, washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and its Bay of Bengal.
Separated from Hindustan by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait. The so-called Adam's Bridge - a sandbank in the Palk Strait - once completely connected Sri Lanka with the mainland, but, according to chronicles, was destroyed by an earthquake around 1481.
The island is 350 km long, 180 km wide at its widest point, and is the same size as Tasmania or Ireland.
Most of the territory is occupied by coastal lowlands. The mountains are located in the central part of the country; highest peak- Mt. Pidurutalagala (2524 m), another famous peak is Adam’s Peak.
Climate in Sri Lanka
The climate of Sri Lanka is tropical, warm and humid. Seasonal weather changes are small. Rain falls mainly at night.
The air temperature on the island practically does not change and is 28-30 ºС all year round, with the exception of mountainous areas, where the average annual temperature is +23 - + 25 ºС. In the high mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya, the temperature during the day is +18ºС, at night it drops to +10ºС.
Almost 95% of all precipitation falls during rainy seasons summer season(from May to the end of October). The remaining months are quite dry, so the period from November to the end of April is the most favorable for a holiday in Sri Lanka.
The water temperature in the Indian Ocean is about +26ºС.
From November to March, northerly winds blow, so you should look for calm seas and comfortable weather on the western and southern coasts of the island. The western monsoon blows from April to October, so for calm waters and cloudless weather you need to go to the east coast.
Population
Population - 20,238,000 people (2009). Average life expectancy is 73 years for men, 77 years for women.
Sinhalese constitute about 75% and Tamils about 18% of the population, mainly in the northern and eastern regions. There are also Sri Lankan Moors (Larakalla - descendants of Arabs) - about 7%, burghers (descendants of mixed marriages with Europeans) - about 0.3%, Veddas (descendants of the oldest population of the island) - about 1 thousand people.
About 70% of the population (mainly Sinhalese) profess Buddhism, 15% Hinduism (Tamils), 8% Christianity, 7% Islam (Lankan Moors).
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the currency of Sri Lanka. 1 LKR = 100 cents.
In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 Sri Lankan rupees, as well as coins in 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 Sri Lankan rupees.
It is better to exchange currency at Colombo airport. It makes sense to keep the receipt received until the end of the trip: in this case, when departing from Colombo, you can convert back unspent local money at the airport bank at the purchase rate. In addition, currency can 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.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Communications
Dialing code: 94
Internet domain: .lk
Police: 133, ambulance: 144, fire service: 122
Telephone codes cities
Colombo - 1, Kandy - 8, Galle - 9, Bentota - 34, Negombo - 31, Nuwara Eliya - 52, Trincomalee - 26
How to call
To call from Russia to Sri Lanka you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 94 - area code - subscriber number.
To call from Sri Lanka to Russia you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.
Landline communications
Tritel payphones (blue) are installed on city streets. In the machines you can use both coins and cards. Phone cards are usually sold in nearby shops.
mobile connection
IN international airport Colombo sells SIM cards from the local mobile operator - Mobitel (National Mobile Provider of Sri Lanka). The cost of the card is 1000 rupees, half of which is transferred to the account. One minute of conversation with Russia will cost approximately 11 rupees, calls within the country - 8 rupees per minute.
It is recommended to clarify all questions related to the use of roaming with your provider.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Shopping in Sri Lanka
The best purchases you can make on this island are jewelry made from blue sapphire, which is mined only here, as well as amethyst, garnet and moonstone. It is better to buy jewelry in specialized stores (you can buy fakes on the street), and do not forget about a receipt or export certificate, so as not to unexpectedly say goodbye to the paid for jewelry at the border.
You should definitely buy tea; bottles of arata - local coconut vodka, exclusive batik products painted in white-blue, sunny-gold and red-ochre tones, spices, aromatic oils and ceramics and leather products are also popular among tourists.
Also popular among tourists are Ceylon spices and handicrafts: masks, batik, leather items. You can also buy inexpensive textile products in cities.
Shops are usually open from 9:30 to 17:00 on weekdays, and from 9:30 to 13:00 on Saturdays. It is worth bargaining at markets and private stores (you can reduce the price by about 30% compared to the initial price). But in government stores, supermarkets, shopping centers and duty-free shops at the airport, all prices are fixed.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Where to stay
Hotels in Sri Lanka are usually small and located right on the shore. Each is made in its own unique style, but they all reflect the customs and traditions of the local culture and fit organically into the natural landscape. Each hotel has its own programs for entertaining guests: theme nights, ethnic and cultural performances, fashion shows, moonlit barbecues, organizing fishing trips, picnics, excursions and much more.
Service in hotels varies greatly: in the “five” it is high level, and in establishments of the category four “stars” and below, you need to make allowances for the fact that the wait staff are “oriental people”, and it would be advisable to give them a “tip” so that they move more quickly.
In accordance with international rules, checkout time at hotels is 12:00 local time. On the day of arrival, check-in to the room is carried out after 14:00.
Last changes: 04/26/2013History of Sri Lanka
The most ancient inhabitants of the island of Sri Lanka - the ancestors of the Veddas - belonged to the mixed Australoid-Negroid race.
The Sinhalese arrived on the island around the 6th century. BC e. from northern India.
In the 3rd century. BC e. Buddhism penetrates the island.
In the III-XIII centuries. n. e. There were large Sinhalese kingdoms on the island with their capitals first in Anuradhapura, then in Polonnaruwa. The frescoes of the Sigiriya rock also date back to this period ( Lion Rock) in the central part of the island.
The Tamils penetrated the island gradually, and by the 13th century. a large community had already formed in the north and east of the island.
After the fall of the Polonnaruwa dynasty of the Sinhala monarchs, the capital was moved several times. By the time the coast of the island was occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century. she was in Kotta.
In the 17th century The Portuguese were replaced by the Dutch. However, even during the period of Dutch domination, the interior regions remained independent. The last Sinhalese kingdom, with its capital at Kandy, was liquidated by the British in 1796; in 1802 the entire island became a colony of the British Empire.
In 1948 the country gained independence under the name Ceylon, remaining a dominion of Great Britain.
In 1972, the country was renamed Sri Lanka and ceased to be a dominion, remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The next 20 years of the country's history were marred by armed conflict with the rebel organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE's armed struggle to create an independent Tamil state, Tamil Eelam, in the northeast of the predominantly Tamil island began in 1983. Since then, more than 65 thousand people have become victims of the Sinhala-Tamil interethnic conflict, hundreds of thousands have been forced to leave their homes.
In 1991, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by Tamil terrorists (as revenge for sending Indian troops to the island to help Sri Lankan government forces in the mid-1980s), and in 1993, Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa was killed.
The large Tamil diaspora actively assists the rebels. Starting the armed struggle, the LTTE movement set the goal of winning complete independence. However, its leaders subsequently agreed to consider a proposal to grant the northeastern part of the island broad autonomy within a single state. In 2002, with the mediation of Norway, an agreement on a temporary ceasefire was signed. However, after hardliner Mahinda Rajapakse was elected President of Sri Lanka in the fall of 2005, proclaiming the slogan “No negotiations with terrorists,” the negotiation process reached a dead end.
In December 2004, the country was hit hard by a tsunami caused by an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra. More than 38 thousand people died, 6 thousand went missing, hundreds of thousands lost their homes. Substantial financial assistance was provided to Sri Lanka. The economic recovery program is being actively implemented; it is planned to recreate 19 cities destroyed by the tsunami.
On May 18, 2009, the 50,000-strong group of Sri Lankan government troops ended the operation in the war, which had been fought with short interruptions since 1983. In the north of the country, on the Jaffna Peninsula, after the capture of Mullaittivu, the main forces of the Tamil separatists from the LTTE movement were surrounded and liquidated (“ Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Throughout the week, isolated clashes continued with scattered separatist detachments hiding in the jungle, but the outcome of the operation and the war could not be changed. Regular forces established confident control over the last center of resistance; during the operation, the permanent leader of the separatists, Velupillai Prabhakarana, was killed.
On February 9, 2010, President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a decree dissolving Parliament and ordering the arrest of opposition leader Sarath Fonseka, thus taking a sharp course away from democracy towards authoritarianism.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Ayurveda
The word "Ayurveda" literally means "science of life". Ayurvedic treatment in Sri Lanka not only prevents and treats diseases, but also daily monitors the behavior and psychological state of a particular person. Ayurveda is not limited to treating individual parts of the body, but mainly affects the entire body. The biggest advantage of this system is that it does not have any side effects. “Do no harm!” - the main motto of traditional medicine.
All raw materials used in the manufacture of medicines consist of natural ingredients. The leaves of medicinal herbs are used in the preparation of herbal baths, and the roots are ground into healing powder for aromatherapy, and the oils necessary for massage are squeezed out of the seeds and fruits. Ayurvedic medicinal preparations are available in different forms: tablets, massage oils, pastes, drops, inhalers, herbal infusions, decoctions.
The most effective and unique treatment method is "Pancha Karma": a comprehensive treatment that includes all forms of Ayurveda such as massage, herbal saunas (aromatherapy), meditation and other types of psychotherapy, various diets, decoctions and tablets (oral therapy). "Pancha Karma" not only treats diseases, but also prevents their development, as it strengthens the human body's immunity. Modern Ayurveda includes all the secrets of traditional medicine, time-tested and improved by modern technologies. The most important treatments that Ayurveda offers are herbal baths and massages, as well as diets.
Even a small wellness course gives positive results: it improves well-being, relieves stress, fatigue and discomfort, and increases the body’s resistance to disease. However, for serious diseases, a long course of treatment is required, under the supervision of specialists. It is known that a course of Ayurveda gives a strong rejuvenating effect.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Diving, surfing and entertainment
Sri Lanka attracts divers from all over the world with its variety of corals, marine life with unusual names and species (angelfish, Moorish idols, parrotfish), dolphins and whale sharks, which can be seen from March to April. But main feature diving in Sri Lanka includes visiting underwater rocks, grottoes and sunken ships. About 20 dead ships from the 19th and 20th centuries at depths from 8 to 30 meters are open for inspection. These are tankers, steamships, bulk carriers, merchant ships and even a modern cargo ship. Many of them are well preserved, and you can even swim inside them.
The abundance of fish in the coastal waters of Sri Lanka attracts fishing enthusiasts here. The coastal reefs of Sri Lanka are characterized by an abundance of plankton, which attracts tuna, Spanish mackerel, marlin and some species of sharks.
The variety of seafood at the fish markets in Colombo or Negombo is amazing. An early morning visit to the fish market is already an exciting excursion, but it is much more interesting to take part in fishing yourself.
For lovers extreme recreation in Sri Lanka they can offer rafting on the Kelani mountain river. The duration of rafting is determined by the tourist himself; the choice of programs here is very large.
Also popular among tourists are 2-3 hour river safaris. The most interesting in this regard is the Bentota River (although other rivers are also of significant interest, for example the Kalu Ganga). In the river and on its banks there is quite a lot of diverse living creatures - monitor lizards, crocodiles, small species of monkeys, and many birds. The banks of the river are covered with mangroves.
The island has several excellent international standard golf courses where you can take a course.
On the coast of the country, both in the west and in the east, there are many places suitable for surfing, but the most popular of them is the Hikkaduwa coast. Wide shores, crystal clear water, scorching sun and excellent surf have made Hikkaduwa the main haven for surfers. From October to April, the wave size here ranges from 1 to 3.5 meters, and the structure of the waves allows the surfer to move in both directions. In the Hikkaduwa area and further south, there are about 12 spots for good surfing, the most popular are Mirissa, Midigama, Kabalana (the surfers' hangout is Kabalana Hotel).
Between April and October, the best place for surfing is located on east coast, in Arugam Bay, near the town of Pottuvil. Arugam bay Surfing Beach is the most popular hangout spot for all surfers during the summer. There are at least 6-7 in Arugam Bay great places for surfing, some of them are up to 1 km long. The average wave size here is from 1.5 to 3.7 meters. For the most part, these places are not as crowded as in west coast. The most popular spots are Arugam Bay Main, Pottuvil, Okanda, Crocodile Rock.
Last changes: 04/26/2013Useful and interesting information
In markets, private stores, etc. you can negotiate the price. You can reduce the price by 30% relative to the starting price. However, this is unacceptable in government stores, supermarkets, shopping centers and airport duty free shops.
Despite the low likelihood of theft on the island, luggage should not be left unattended, as local residents there may be a suspicion that it contains explosives.
If you do not want to be detained, searched or interrogated, do not take photographs of power plants, port facilities, airports, military units and railway stations.
Sri Lanka is a country with a hot climate, so to avoid stomach infections and poisoning, you must thoroughly wash your hands before eating, as well as vegetables and fruits purchased at the market. Tap water is not recommended for drinking: it is better to use mineral water and other factory-bottled drinks.
In the evening and when visiting national parks and reserves, it is recommended to use repellents. Before making an overnight trip into the jungle, tourists should take anti-malarial tablets in advance. You should not visit temples in shorts or in clothes with open backs and shoulders. You must also take off your shoes when entering the temple.
Be alert for monkeys! Numerous flocks of which have become in Sri Lanka something like natural disaster. They scurry around everywhere and are very intrusive. They can snatch food or things from your hands, even a camera or video camera. Moreover, monkeys can climb into hotel room and organize a formal pogrom there. Therefore, before leaving, you should always tightly close windows or special mosquito frames with mesh.
Outside the center of Colombo" night life“absent, basically any activity on the streets (trade, work of institutions) stops at sunset at 19:00 in the evening.
You should be careful when using gestures familiar in Russia: an analogue of the middle finger gesture is a gesture that is performed by clenching the palm turned upward into a fist and sticking the index finger up.
We recommend wearing light cotton or linen clothing, sandals and a hat. Holidays in Sri Lanka are quite democratic and do not have strict requirements for clothing, however, out of respect for the holy places, you should visit temples in clothes that cover your knees, shoulders and back; when entering any temple, you must take off your shoes and hat. Women are prohibited from sunbathing topless on the beach.
Ceylon spices
Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has been world famous for its spices, especially during the Silk Road era when spices played a major role in cooking. Until the 15th century, the spice trade was in the hands of Arab merchants, but when European navigators discovered sea routes to the east, this monopoly was broken. Nowadays, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, vanilla, cardamom and other spices are grown in small private farms in the areas of Kegalle, Mawanella, Kandy and Matale, where the climate is quite humid and cool. The bulk of the products are exported. Spices are used not only in food, but in medicine and in the production of cosmetics.
“Spice gardens” are scattered throughout the country, where tourists can see how spices grow, listen to short story about their use, and, of course, buy. Here you will see the most “expensive” tree in the world - sandalwood with a brown-gray trunk, big amount smooth and flexible branches and leathery leaves of purple-pink color. To obtain aromatic oils, trees older than thirty years are used.
They also sell a variety of oils, masks, creams and Ayurvedic preparations made from these plants to treat any ailment. Women have a unique opportunity to purchase real sandalwood and coconut oil here to prolong their youth. In the spice garden, tourists will be shown how to prepare various preparations.
Ceylon tea
Tea was first brought to the island in 1824 from China, and in 1839 from Assam (India) and was tested in the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. It turned out that the Chinese variety adapted better to the highlands of Nuwara Eliya, while the Indian variety adapted well to the plains of the island. In 1867, Scottish planter James Taylor first began growing tea commercially, planting 80 hectares of seedlings in the Nuwara Eliya region.
Sri Lanka now ranks third in the world in tea production and first in exports, providing about 25% of global demand. For its unique characteristics ceylon tea recognized as the best in the world. Thanks to climatic conditions local tea has a delicate taste and aroma. Tea is cultivated throughout the year and is grown at three levels: up to 600 m above sea level in the areas of Balangoda, Ratnapura, Kelaniya River Valley and Galle; from 600 to 1200 m and above 1200 m in areas around Nuwara Eliya.
It is better to buy tea during an excursion to a tea factory: prices here are much lower and the assortment is larger. In addition, most tea bags are designed very beautifully and original.
Last changes: 04/26/2013How to get to Sri Lanka
Direct regular flights from the Russian capital to Sri Lanka are operated only by the Sri Lankan airline. national airline Srilankan Airlines. Travel time is 8 hours 30 minutes. Airbus A-330 flies. Departs from Moscow at 20:15 Moscow time on Tue, Fri, Sat (arrives in Colombo early in the morning - at 6:15 local time).
In addition, you can fly from Moscow to Ceylon with a landing or transfer at one of the airports in the Middle East, for example with Emirates Airlines (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi). Flight time is on average from 11 to 15 hours (including connections).
In addition to these four options described above, many other Asian airlines fly to the island - from India, Singapore and Thailand.
Last changes: 06/09/2014Capital - Colombo
Geographical location and relief
The state is located on the island of Sri Lanka in the northern Indian Ocean off the coast of India. The terrain is mostly flat with the exception of mountain range in the central part closer to the south. The highest point is Pidurutalagala (2524 m).
Economy
The country is agricultural. About 10% of world tea production is concentrated on the island. The most important industry is textile, which accounts for approximately 60% of exports. Some are also mined Natural resources, such as precious stones, graphite, salt. Tourism plays an important role, contributing about 9% of GDP.
Climate
Most of the country is located in the subequatorial climate zone, only on southern shores The islands have an equatorial climate (the largest amount of precipitation in the country falls there - up to 5000 mm). The average air temperature is + 26 °C - + 30 °C.
Population
The population is 21,200 thousand people. It is characterized by multinationality among the inhabitants, the largest ethnic group is the Sinhalese (74%), Tamils (11%), Sri Lankan Moors (9%), descendants of Europeans - burghers (0.3%), Veddas, etc. are also represented.