GEOGRAPHY

Sri Lanka lies between longitudes 79o and 81o east and latitudes 5o and 10o north From north to south 5o.55 , 9o.55 .
The Island is 426Km long and from west to east 224 km wide. The area of the island is 65610 square kms.
Highest Waterfall Bambarakanda, 241 meters.
Highest peak Piduruthalagala.

LOCATION

Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean just below the Southern tip of India. and lying North of the equator.

CLIMATE

Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate. There are no seasonal variations. The bi-annual monsoon rains provide the only seasons. The temperature is high throughout the year the average temperature in Colombo is 27 degrees centigrade (80 degrees Fahrenheit) This is accompanied by high levels of humidity. However in the different parts of the island. The temperature and the climate vary according to the terrain. The higher you go, the cooler it gets. In the mountain regions of Nuwara Eliya. The Temperature averages 15 degrees centigrade (61 degrees Fahrenheit) sea temperatures as a rule remain 27o .

History

The chronicled history of Sri Lanka dates back to over 2,500 years. It had established trade and cultural links with many ancient civilizations. Throughout history , it has been known by different names. To the Greeks it was Taprobane , to the Arabs it was serendib . To the Portuguese it was ceilao. To the Dutch it was Zeylan, and to the British it was Ceylon. Sri Lanka was the ancient name meaning “The Resplendent Isle”

People

The population number approximately 19.4 million. This multi-ethnic population comprise

• Sinhalese - 73%
• Tamils - 18
• Muslims - 8%
• Burghers - 1% (descendents of Dutch and Portuguese)

Literacy Male 90.5% female 82.4% One of the highest in Asia Population land 304 people per square kms

LANGUAGES

The most commonly-spoken languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala , Tamil and English

ECONOMY

Sri Lanka economy is based on agriculture and trade. Sri Lanka exports tea , Coconut Rubber Spices, Cloths and Gems

TIME DIFFERENCE

Sri Lanka standard time in 5 ˝ hours ahead of Greenwich mean Time.

AIRPORT

Bandaranayaka International Airport , 34 km from city centre.