Sri Lanka
About Sri Lanka
Personalized journeys through the resplendent isle — location, nature, history and quick facts to help you prepare for your visit.
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Sri Lanka — At a glance
| Official Name | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Administrative Capital | Sri Jayewardenepura |
| Commercial Capital | Colombo |
| Area | 65,525 km² |
| Population (estimate) | 20,359,439 |
| Currency | Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) |
| Time Zone | Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30) |
Location
Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean just below the southern tip of India and north of the equator. Coordinates range approximately from 5°55′ to 9°50′ N latitude and 79°42′ to 81°52′ E longitude.
Geography & Climate
The island consists mostly of flat-to-rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising in the south-central interior. The highest point is Pidurutalagala at 2,524 m (8,281 ft).
Climate is tropical and warm. There are no sharply defined seasons; instead the island experiences two main monsoon periods:
- Northeast monsoon (December–March): affects the north and east.
- Southwest monsoon (June–October): brings rain to the south and west.
Local variations are significant — coastal areas like Colombo average around 27°C (80°F), while upland towns such as Nuwara Eliya average about 16°C (61°F). Rainfall windows differ by region: the southwest sees rains April–May and September–October while the east receives its main rains November–January.
History
Sri Lanka’s chronicled history spans more than 2,500 years. Through trade and cultural exchange it gained many names: Taprobane (Greek), Serendib (Arabic), Ceilao (Portuguese), Zeylan (Dutch) and Ceylon (British). The island has long been known as the “Resplendent Isle” for its natural beauty and strategic position.
Flora & Fauna
Despite its small size, Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot. A remarkable share of the island’s species are endemic: roughly 23% of flowering plants and 16% of mammals are found only here. Diverse terrain and microclimates—coasts, lowlands, montane forests and wetlands—support this rich natural heritage.
(Sri Lanka is recognized by Conservation International as one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots.)
Sri Lanka — Detailed quick facts
| Dimensions | 430 km (N–S) × 225 km (E–W) |
|---|---|
| Coastline | 1,340 km |
| Highest waterfall | Bambarakanda — 263 m |
| National flower | Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata) |
| Population growth | 0.75% (approx.) |
| Life expectancy | Female 78.6 — Male 72 (approx.) |
| Literacy | Female 90.8% — Male 92.77% (reported figures) |
| Ethnic groups | Sinhala 74.9%, Sri Lanka Tamil 11.2%, Moor 9.3%, Indian Tamil 4.1% (2012 census) |
| Religion (2012) | Buddhists 70.1%, Hindus 12.6%, Muslims 9.7%, Roman Catholics 6.2%, Other Christians 1.4% |
| Dialing code | +94 |
| Electricity | 230–240 V, 50 Hz (use stabilizer for sensitive equipment) |
Economy & Industry (summary)
Key sectors include textiles & apparel, food processing, telecommunications, banking, and tourism. Historically plantation crops were dominant; today textiles and services account for a large share of exports and GDP.
Notes on data
The page compiles a mix of historical and modern figures. Several economic and demographic values (GDP, GNP, exports/imports) are dependent on the year of reporting — include the most recent statistics when publishing for accuracy.