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About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation located in South Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from India by the Palk Strait. Covering approximately 65,610 square kilometers, this teardrop-shaped island is home to over 23 million people. Historically known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka's strategic location along ancient maritime trade routes has made it a cultural crossroads, influenced by Indian, Arab, European, and Southeast Asian civilizations throughout its long history.

Sri Lanka has a recorded history dating back over 2,500 years, with ancient kingdoms like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa leaving behind remarkable archaeological sites. The island gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948. Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages, reflecting the country's two main ethnic groups, while English is widely used. Buddhism is the predominant religion among the Sinhalese majority, with significant Hindu, Muslim, and Christian minorities. Sri Lankan culture is renowned for its ancient Buddhist heritage, classical dance, traditional drumming, intricate wood carving, and UNESCO World Heritage sites including the sacred city of Kandy and Sigiriya rock fortress.

Sri Lanka's geography features a diverse landscape with coastal plains surrounding a south-central mountainous region containing peaks over 2,500 meters, including Pidurutalagala, the island's highest point. The central highlands are known as the country's cultural heartland and feature lush tea plantations. The climate is tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons influenced by monsoons. Notable geographical features include beautiful beaches, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve (a biodiversity hotspot), and an extensive network of ancient irrigation systems called "tanks" that still function today. The island's rich biodiversity includes elephants, leopards, and numerous endemic species.

Sri Lanka's economy is diverse, based on tourism, tea and spice exports, textiles and garments, and increasingly services including IT. The country is one of the world's largest tea producers, with Ceylon tea being internationally renowned. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital, while Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city, serving as the main economic hub and port. Other major cities include Kandy (the cultural capital), Galle (a historic port city), Jaffna, and Negombo, each contributing to Sri Lanka's developing economy and its identity as both a tourist destination and emerging market.

Major Cities

• Colombo - The commercial capital and largest city with 750,000 people (5.6 million metro), Sri Lanka's main port and economic center
• Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte - The legislative capital with 115,000 people, a suburb of Colombo where parliament is located
• Kandy - The cultural capital with 125,000 people, home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and last kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka
• Galle - Historic southern port city with 100,000 people, famous for its Dutch colonial fort and UNESCO World Heritage site
• Jaffna - Northern city with 90,000 people, cultural center of Sri Lankan Tamil culture and historic kingdom capital

Interesting Facts

• Sri Lanka is one of the world's top tea producers, with Ceylon tea famous worldwide for its quality and distinctive flavor
• The ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, built in the 5th century, rises 200 meters and features spectacular frescoes and landscaped gardens
• Sri Lanka has the highest density of leopards in the world, found in Yala National Park
• The island is home to the Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), a sacred mountain with a footprint-shaped rock revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians
• Sri Lanka's ancient irrigation system, with reservoirs called "tanks" built over 2,000 years ago, still functions today
• The country has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other small island nation, including ancient cities and biodiversity reserves