SRI LANKA
Few places in the world can offer the traveler such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location. Within a mere area lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, much of it pristine beach national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, lush tea estates, botanical gardens, waterfalls, water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years. This is an island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon. Discover refreshingly Sri Lanka!....
SRI LANKA AT A GLANCE
Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt.
Few places in the world can offer the traveler such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location. Within a mere area lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, much of it pristine beach national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, lush tea estates, botanical gardens, waterfalls, water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years. This is an island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon. Discover refreshingly Sri Lanka!....
SRI LANKA AT A GLANCE
Official name: | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
Government type: | Republic |
Location: | Latitude 5° 55. to 9° 50. north, longitude 79° 42. to 81° 52., 650km north of the equator |
Dimensions: | 430km north to south, 225km east to west |
Area: | 65,610km |
Currency (code): | Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) |
Independence: | 4 February 1948 |
Administrative capital: | Sri Jayewardenepura |
Commercial capital: | Colombo |
Administrative divisions: | Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western, Eastern Province. |
Climate: | Typically tropical, with a northeast monsoon (December to March) bringing rain to the north and east, and a southwest monsoon (June to October) bringing rain to the south and west |
Terrain: | Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior |
Highest mountain: | Pidurutalagala, 2,524m |
Highest waterfall: | Bambarakanda, 263m |
National Flower | The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata) |
Languages: | Sinhala (official and national language) , Tamil (national language) Note: English (a link language) |
Religion: | Buddhist , Muslim , Hindu , Christian |
Time zone: | Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT |
International dialing: | +94 |
Electricity: | 230 -240 volts, 50 cycles AC. |
Economy: | Sri Lanka.s most dynamic sectors are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. |
Agriculture & products | Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconutsm milk, eggs, hides, beef, fish |
Industries: | Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining. |
Exports: | Textiles and apparel; tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish |
Imports: | Main import commodities are textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment. |