Where is Sri Lanka located? Ceylon - the famous tea island of the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka - where is such a country located

Few of us living in northern latitudes have wondered: what is the island of Sri Lanka, where is it located, what country is it, how to find it on the world map, what is it washed with? Many people are interested in the question - is Sri Lanka India or not? And what part of the world does Sri Lanka belong to?

In recent years, holidays on this piece of land in the middle of the vast expanses of the ocean have become increasingly popular. Tourists come here for the warm sea, sandy beaches, eternal summer, unique souvenirs, and the opportunity to see whales.

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Geographical location

Geographically, Sri Lanka is located at the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula, it can easily be found on the world map in the Indian Ocean, since the state is located in the south of Asia, then the part of the world to which it belongs is Asia. Sandy shores, with a total length of about 1300 km, are washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean.

The island has an elongated shape from south to north; it is separated from the mainland by the Polk Strait, more than five tens of kilometers wide. The southern part of the island consists of mountain terraces that move towards the center into the highlands.

Geographic coordinates of Sri Lanka - 7°45′00″ N. la., 80°46′00 e. d.

Brief information about the country

When Sri Lanka was colonized by England, Portugal and Holland in the 16th century, it was called Ceylon. Now the island is called Sri Lanka, and regarding how the official name sounds in Russian, Wikipedia answers - “Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”.

Form of statehood – Democratic Socialist Republic. Type of government - presidential republic. The main nationality is Sinhalese. The first states appeared in the 5th century BC. The ancient inhabitants of the island traded with the Chinese, Arabs, and Romans.

From the 16th century to the mid-20th century it was a colonial possession:

• Portuguese;
• Dutch;
• English.

Capital

note: Officially, the main administrative center, the seat of government, is the city of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, founded in the 13th century as the Kotte fortress. Located between the Diyavana Oya and Kolonnava Oya riverbeds.

In fact, the economic and cultural center of the country is the city of Colombo, founded in the 7th century, presumably by Arab merchants. Initially, the city developed as a trading port.

Languages

The country has two official state languages ​​– Sinhala and Tamil. In tourist areas, residents understand English.

Visa

Residents of Russia must obtain a visa to visit. The easiest way is to fill out in advance the electronic form posted on the embassy’s website. Upon arrival, pay $35, present a valid passport, completed arrival card and receive a visa.

Note: A visa can also be issued directly upon arrival. However, this will cost more and take more time.

Population

Ceylon is home to more than 21.5 million people. More than ¾ of the population is the titular nation - the Sinhalese, 1/6 - the Tamils. The descendants of Arabs and Austronesians, who are immigrants from, do not exceed 1/12 of the country's population.

In addition, descendants of European colonialists live here: the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British. Their number is about 1/15 of the total number of citizens.

Religion

Take note: Four world religions are officially recognized: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity.

The Sinhalese, the bulk of the population, profess Buddhism. Tamils ​​are Hindus, Islam is traditionally preached by Arabs and Austronesians. The descendants of Europeans are Catholics.

Sea and ocean

In fact, Sri Lanka is washed by the waters of two seas included in the Indian Ocean. The Palk Strait, separating Ceylon from the mainland, connects the Gulf of Mannar in the west with the Bay of Bengal in the east.

The northwestern shores are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Mannar, which is part of the Laccadive Sea.

The northeastern part is washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal, which by its characteristics is a sea. The bay is famous for its coastal mangrove forests, rich in unique underwater world.

The rest of the island's coastline is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean itself. The sea coast with lazy surf is perfect for a beach holiday. Fans of active recreation should choose ocean beaches with their ever-roaring waves.

Currency

The national currency of the republic is the Sri Lankan rupee. 1 US dollar costs about 153 Sri Lankan rupees. 1 Russian ruble costs approximately 2.62 rupees; a euro costs about 166 rupees.

Transport

Sri Lanka has a fairly developed ground transport infrastructure:

• tuk-tuks are the main type of transport, and are a cross between a motorbike and a pedicabs. It is allowed to bargain on the price of the trip;
• city ​​buses;
• an extensive network of intercity buses, which is the most comfortable form of transport;
• railway connections between populated areas;
• Taxi. Developed only in tourist areas and capitals.

Car and scooter rentals are also available. Just keep in mind that:

• the authorities do not recognize any rights other than local ones;
• Only persons over 21 years of age are allowed to drive.

Difference in time

Moscow time is 2.5 hours behind Sri Lankan time. The time is 4.5 hours ahead of Sri Lanka, and 1.5 hours ahead of Novosibirsk. It is located in almost the same time zone as Sri Lanka: the difference is only 30 minutes.

What to bring

Since ancient times, the island has been famous for its tea plantations, spices, and pearls. The number of tea varieties is so large that it is almost impossible to taste them all.

For decades, precious stones mined from the depths of Sri Lanka have been highly valued in jewelry markets: sapphires, emeralds, almandines, opals, tourmalines, topazes.

Therefore, you should bring from your trip:

• ceylon tea. You can buy it on plantations, in stores, and in the market. The price greatly depends on the proximity to tourist areas;
• spices: vanilla pods, pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks;

• natural essential oils tropical plants: vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood, wild lemongrass, vetiver;
• jewelry with precious stones.

Advice: When purchasing, you should pay special attention to the metal: gold and silver are exported, so no one is responsible for the quality of the metals.

The stones have a mineralogical passport, which will need to be presented when going through customs;

• cotton clothing. For its production, Indian cotton is used, characterized by long fibers that give the fabrics softness.

Climate

The island is entirely located in the zone of humid equatorial climate with a transition to subequatorial climate. The climate on the coast is monsoon.

The high season is winter. The climate is mild. There is practically no change in seasons. Ceylon is the kingdom of eternal summer. Even in the mountains, snow never falls. There are practically no average daily temperature fluctuations.

Note: the pole of cold is Nuwara Eliya, where the average daily temperature ranges from +11° to 13°C.

Air and ocean water temperatures are always almost the same, 30°-32°C. The sea water temperature is 1–2°C lower. Night temperatures rarely drop below +25°C.

In the highlands the climate is less hot, the temperature rarely rises above +25°C. Climatic conditions are such that the local southern winter is much warmer than our northern summer.

How to get there

Direct regular flights from Colombo International Airport operate only to one Russian city - Moscow. Flight period: from June to August.

Direct charter flights are organized from other Russian cities to Colombo, information about which can be obtained from the tour operator organizing the trips.

It is convenient for residents of the Asian part of the country to fly with transfers at the following airports:

• Beijing;
• Seoul;

There are year-round regular direct flights with these cities. Russian airlines have tariff agreements with Asian airlines operating flights to Ceylon.

For residents of the European part, it is convenient to fly via Dubai or Doha. In addition, you can fly from Russia to Ceylon via, Mumbai, Delhi, Tashkent. These routes require 2-3 transfers.

Resorts

Resort areas are located in almost all corners of the country:

Negombo

In the western part of the country, the most popular resort is the fishing village of Negombo, located on the shores of the lagoon of the same name. Historically, the area is notable for its Portuguese fort, which the Dutch turned into a prison. Of interest to fans of history, cultural studies, and ethnography.

Advice: Negombo is ideal for those who love a lazy time on the beach.

Colombo

The popular youth resort of Colombo, the cultural capital of the country, is located on the shores of the bay of the same name in the west of the country. Like any eastern city, Colombo lives in contrasts: poverty borders on wealth, shacks of the poor huddle next to fashionable buildings.

The cleanliness of wealthy neighborhoods is replaced by the trash of slums. Glitter and poverty, eternal celebration and eternal work, past and future - all this is intertwined on the streets of Colombo. Of interest to lovers of active recreation.

Bentota

A romantic resort on the sea coast is perfect for peace and lazy relaxation. It is a quiet place with a leisurely pace under the shade of palm trees. The main type of recreation is beach. Located southwest of Colombo.

Kalutara

It is located on the shores of the Laccadive Sea, where the Kalu River flows into it.

Aimed at lovers of active recreation and water sports.

Halle

The city is located in the southwest and is notable for its architecture. This resort is suitable for a relaxing, secluded holiday.

Induruwa

Located in the west of the country. It recently acquired the status of a resort, so the flow of tourists is still small. Fans of a leisurely, measured holiday will appreciate the sandy beaches in the vicinity of the town.

Unawatuna

A small town in the south of Sri Lanka on the shore of a bay protected from ocean waves by a coral reef. Popular among lovers of individual travel.

Take note: Unawatuna is ideal for a relaxing holiday with children.

Resort on the southern tip of the island. Quiet place away from civilization. The unique underwater world attracts diving fans.

Kogalla is famous for its boat excursions, where you can spot wild whales and dolphins.

Mirissa - the best beach

Experienced surfers come to Mirissa for the high waves. Untouched, wonderful nature and lack of economic activity create a feeling of paradise. The place is secluded and conducive to a romantic getaway. The usual resort entertainment is missing.

Surf paradise

The open ocean coast of the southern tip of the island is popular with surfers. The surf allows surfing all year round. Sandy beaches are good for beginner surfing. Experienced surfers catch waves among rocks and reefs.

Interesting to know: Hikkaduwa is the most popular beach among surfers. Beginners can take individual lessons from professional instructors or sign up for classes at surf schools.

Surfing schools also operate in Kogalle, Unawatuna, and Weligama.

Shopping

Shopping is amazing in its variety and will bring true pleasure to those who love to shop.

Note: like everywhere else in the east, it is customary to bargain here. Local merchants do not like those who buy without bargaining. For them, this is one of the types of communication, a centuries-old tradition that is observed to this day. In addition, by haggling it is quite possible to reduce prices by several orders of magnitude.

While vacationing on the island, you should visit numerous jewelry factories with shopping centers. The range of jewelry shopping centers amazes with the variety and beauty of the products presented. Local jewelers can create custom jewelry with your favorite stones.

After taking a trip to the tea plantations, strolling through the spice gardens, it is worth visiting the shops. True, prices there are much higher than in small shops and markets.

At local markets you can buy exotic fruits, spices, herbs, and essential oils. In addition, here you can purchase clothes made from cotton or have them custom-tailored.

This is especially true for the countries of Southeast Asia. Even if tourists bring any plants or seeds, they can simply be confiscated at customs. To prevent this, it is recommended to refuse the purchase or issue a herbal passport. It is better to carry fruits in packed luggage, this way they will definitely not be confiscated.

Tips

Leaving a tip is voluntary. Hotel staff, guides, porters, and drivers are advised to tip a dollar.

In cafes and restaurants, tips are already included in the bill. In other cases, tourists determine the tip size themselves; the maximum amount can reach 10% of the check value.

Kitchen

The national cuisine of Sri Lankans is predominantly vegetarian with a lot of spices and herbs. The main food product is rice. Local cuisine originates from Indian cuisine; the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arabs, and Chinese contributed to it.

Therefore, modern dishes are a mixture of the culinary traditions of these peoples. A spice for all occasions is curry, which is served as a side dish with boiled rice.

Hotels offer tourists the usual Europeanized menu. National dishes are served in adapted form. You can try authentic Sri Lankan dishes in restaurants frequented by locals. For most Europeans, national dishes seem very spicy; this must be kept in mind when ordering dishes.

Flora and fauna

The fauna of this corner of the planet is one of the most diverse. The island is home to many endemic species of animals, amphibians, birds, insects that are found only here - 16% of the total.

More than half of the species are threatened with extinction:

• Indian sambar deer;
• Sri Lankan leopard;
• Sri Lankan elephant;
• sloth bear.

The island is also home to more than 200 species of birds, a quarter of which are also endangered. More than half of the amphibians may also disappear forever, and more than a hundred species live here, 90% of them are endemic.

Scammers on the island

You can come across scammers everywhere: on the street, in restaurants, shops, in transport. Traders and drivers usually quote a price that is many times higher than the actual price. There is only one piece of advice: find out the cost in advance and bargain desperately.

You can also become a victim of scammers when exchanging currency; tourists are often lured by a tempting exchange rate. Therefore, it is necessary to remain vigilant, not to be fooled by tempting offers, while maintaining a critical perception. As the saying goes: free cheese only comes in a mousetrap.

Attractions

Sri Lanka is a country with a thousand-year history and unique nature.

Traveling around the island, you can see architectural monuments that are cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO:

• the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, built three thousand years ago by Indians;
• ancient man-made lakes;
• the Sigiriya palace complex, located on mountain terraces;
• Horton Place National Parks, Yala;
• royal botanical garden;
• legacy of the colonial period;
• numerous ancient temples.

In fact, the whole of Ceylon is one big attraction. Nearby are the eras of Ancient India and colonization, modern buildings and ancient palaces, botanical gardens and thousand-year-old plantations.

tour cost

The cost of a week-long package tour for two with departure from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk starts from 60 thousand rubles.

Dear readers, today I again invite you on a journey. The Indian Ocean with warm water, golden sand beaches, palm trees, gorgeous nature and exotic animals - all this can amaze even the most fastidious traveler. Where is this amazing place? - you ask. This is the former island of Ceylon, now its new name is Sri Lanka, where a vacation will delight you not only with picturesque landscapes, wild rivers and comfortable weather, but also with a large number of unique attractions, delicious food and unusually aromatic and strong tea.

The enchanting beauty of the island is complemented by a variety of resorts with hotels, welcoming and friendly people - the Sri Lankans. By the way, most residents speak several languages, including English and Russian. This place is perfect for a quiet and relaxing holiday with the whole family.

Sri Lanka - where is such a country located?

Sri Lanka is the largest island located in the Indian Ocean. It is a Democratic Socialist Republic in South Asia. The name translates as glorious and blessed land. Until it gained independence, or rather until 1972, the island was called Ceylon. India is located in close proximity to Sri Lanka. Even before the beginning of the 15th century, these states were connected by an isthmus. Now, there is a sandbank at this place, since a strong earthquake in the 15th century destroyed it. The capital of the island is a city with a difficult name to pronounce - Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, but the cultural and economically developed unofficial capital is the city of Colombo.

Sri Lanka has a rich world of flora and fauna. Almost 3,000 varieties of plants grow here, about 1,000 of which are flowering, over 700 species of medicinal flowers and herbs, and 150 varieties of wild orchids and ferns. Many people associate this country with elephants. And for good reason. Mighty elephants really live here, and not only that. The diversity of wildlife makes this island an amazing place. Beautiful butterflies, birds, reptiles, mammals - and many of them are protected by law, as they are listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.

Sri Lanka - monthly weather, rainy season, water temperature

The climate is tropical, with monsoon rainy seasons. An amazing feature of the monsoons in the summer is that they occur mainly at night. The weather is very favorable for holidays all year round. The air temperature is always stable, about 28-30 degrees Celsius at any time of the year. Only in the mountainous region the temperature in winter reaches only 10 degrees Celsius. Beach paradise all year round - this is how this state can be described.

The rainy season is long. From December to May there are rains in the eastern part of the island, from May to September there are monsoons in the west of the country. Therefore, in winter, it is best to relax in the southern and western regions of Sri Lanka. For example, the most popular cities are Colombo and Galle. The weather here is excellent, dry and sunny, just as the rainy season is approaching in the east. But in the summer months, resorts located in the eastern region are perfect.

The water temperature here is always constant. The average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. Therefore, you can swim here all year round. Even at night you can bask in the warm waters of the ocean.

Sights of Sri Lanka, photos

Equipped beaches and comfortable hotels are not all that Sri Lanka can boast of. A huge number of ancient and unique attractions, 8 of which are included in the UNESCO list. Temples for all religions, various buildings and monuments in honor of Buddha, beautiful palaces, museums and temples are just a small part of the interesting places that you can visit.

Currently, excursions around the country are very popular, which allow you to see the maximum number of attractions in a short time. Of course, if you have enough time and you like to leisurely enjoy exploring amazing places and architectural structures, then it is better to take a walk around the sights on your own. Here are some of them that you should definitely see, otherwise your trip around the island would be in vain. Tea center, sacred Bodhi tree, golden Buddha statue, Kumana national reserve and Adam's Peak.

Sri Lanka - holidays and reviews from tourists

All tourists who visited this amazing and mysterious place at least once were very pleased with their vacation. After reading many reviews, I made several useful discoveries for myself that will help improve my vacation in this country. Now I will share with you some tips.

• Don't buy tea in the city, otherwise you will buy a mixture of local Sri Lankan and second-rate Indian tea. You can buy one like this at home, in the supermarket. Be sure to visit the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, where you will buy really good Sri Lankan tea and enjoy the view of the tea plantations that cover all the slopes and peaks of the mountains.
• When swimming in the ocean, be careful, it is choppy and it is better to swim where you can feel the bottom. After a wave, you can be pulled into the ocean, and the point of no return is very easy to miss. There are no rescuers, and a cry for help may not be heard. Better swim in the pool.
• It is not customary to use regular toilet paper on the island. In their room they have a special hose with water supply, or a ladle (you know why). Therefore, if you cannot live without personal hygiene products, be sure to take it with you.
• There are a lot of impudent monkeys on the island, scurrying everywhere, which can seriously ruin your entire vacation. Do not leave your belongings unattended. When leaving your hotel room, be sure to close the windows, otherwise you may risk losing your belongings and causing significant damage to the room.

Holidays in Sri Lanka - independent travel

You can get from Moscow to Colombo by direct airline flights. Unfortunately, direct flights do not occur every day, but according to a schedule. If you urgently need to get to this island, you can use connecting flights. There are several of them - in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Koch and Istanbul.
How long does it take to fly from Moscow to Sri Lanka? The direct flight is the shortest flight time, it takes from 8 to 9 hours. If the flight has transfers, then it is a little longer; it can take up to 12 hours of flight time. Don't forget to get a visa before planning your trip to Sri Lanka.

The island's public transport is trains and buses. Therefore, you can travel around the country on your own only by train and buses.

Traveling by bus is only suitable within the city. The cost of bus travel is very low, while the price for private transport is the same as for public transport. There are even luxury buses - with air conditioning and free seats, but the price for such travel is much more expensive. But what can you do for comfort?
Remember, the first seats on local buses are reserved for monks - they cannot be occupied!

You can travel between cities on your own by train. Affordable prices and the ability to choose comfort have made this type of transport very popular among tourists and local residents. 1st class trains are not just luxurious, they are unique. In addition to air conditioning and free WI-FI, there is a very interesting interior of the cars, in vintage style. Train schedules are available on the official websites of railway stations.

You may also be interested in reading reviews from tourists or visiting the sacred Indian city, follow the links. I hope you will find it interesting to read and see photos about these travels.

is an island state in the Indian Ocean off the southern coast of India, from which it is separated by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait.

The name of the country comes from the Sanskrit “shri” - “glorious” and “lanka” - “land”.

Official name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (part of the capital functions is performed by the city of Colombo)

The area of ​​the land: 65.6 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 20.3 million people

Administrative division: It is divided into 9 provinces and 25 districts.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President, elected for 6 years.

Population composition: 73% are Sinhalese, 19% are Tamil.

Official language: Sinhala is also equal to the official languages ​​of English and Tamil.

Religion: 69% are Buddhists, 15% are Hindus.

Internet domain: .lk

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code:

Country barcode: 479

Climate

Sri Lanka is located only a few degrees of latitude north of the equator. Therefore, average monthly air temperatures in the lowlands are high and vary little throughout the year. In winter they are somewhat lower: for example, in Colombo the average temperature of the coolest month, December, is 25 ° C, and the hottest month, May, is 28 ° C. The daily temperature amplitudes are small and rarely exceed 11 ° C. However, in the mountains, in one of the The highest located cities in the country are Nuwara Eliya (1881 m), the average air temperature in January is 14° C, and in May 17° C.

The climate of Sri Lanka is shaped not only by its proximity to the equator, but also by its proximity to the Indian subcontinent. As a result, seasonal changes in winds and contrast in precipitation are observed, which allows us to talk about a specific version of the Indian monsoon.

Like other mountainous islands in monsoon regions, Sri Lanka has clearly expressed geographic diversity in the intra-annual course of precipitation. Thus, the southwest monsoon, which blows from late May to late September - early October, is associated with rainfall in the southwest of the country, especially on the windward slopes of the Massif Central. It also determines dry weather in the northern and eastern lowlands, which find themselves in the rain shadow of the mountains.

From about November to January, Sri Lanka experiences the influence of the northeast monsoon, which causes rainfall throughout the island. During the inter-monsoon period, when atmospheric pressure is relatively stable, local convective air currents and daytime sea breezes bring sporadic precipitation.

This seasonal rhythm, combined with the influence of the orographic factor, determines the presence of sharp regional differences in the climate of Sri Lanka. Thus, the southwestern lowlands, located between the mountains and the sea, are part of a humid zone, where precipitation is confined to both monsoon periods, and in the intermediate time rain falls in smaller quantities. Therefore, high air humidity is constantly maintained, only February is relatively dry in most areas.

On the slopes of the western exposure of the Massif Central, within the humid zone, temperatures decrease with height, and the annual precipitation in some points exceeds 5100 m.

The lowlands of the dry zone, located in the north and east of the island, including the Jaffna Peninsula, have an obvious but unclear maximum rainfall between October and January, when the influence of the northeast monsoon becomes apparent. The dry season lasts from June to September. Rare rainfall is recorded during the inter-monsoon period. In general, precipitation in the dry zone is less abundant than in the wet zone, and on average per year its amount does not exceed 1900 mm on the northwestern coast and 1300 mm on the southeastern coast. However, the very value of this indicator in the dry zone does not give grounds to classify it as an arid territory, and the dry climate is felt only in the summer.

In the eastern mountains and the intermountain basin of Uva, also classified as a dry zone, the seasonal cycle of precipitation is approximately the same as in the lowlands, but less pronounced. Moreover, the rainfall there reaches such an intensity that is rarely observed in the lowlands of this zone.

Geography

An island nation in the Indian Ocean, located north of the equator and off the southern coast of India, from which the island is separated by the Manara and Palk Straits.

Most of the island is occupied by a low-lying plain, “broken” by outcrops of crystalline basement in the form of rocks and mesas. The entire southern part of the island is occupied by the medium-high stepped mountainous country of the Massif Central, with strongly articulated relief and leveled mountain peaks. The slopes are abundantly overgrown with forests and dissected by short but stormy rivers.

The highest point of the island is Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m). The total area of ​​the country is 65.6 thousand square meters. km.

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.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The natural vegetation of the lowlands of the humid zone and the adjacent mountains has been largely reduced by human economic activity. These areas were once covered with dense tropical rainforests, which gave way to montane evergreen forests higher up the slopes; however, such communities have survived only in protected natural areas.

In the lowlands of the dry zone, forests have suffered damage as a result of human activity, but in some places they still survive in the form of mixed evergreen communities of the xerophytic type. The arid uplands in the Uva province are partly occupied by secondary grasslands. In the northwest and southeast lowlands of the dry zone, the surviving forests have degenerated into species-poor thickets of thorny bushes. Large areas of the southwest of the country are covered in dense jungle. Forests also occupy the mountain slopes.

Palm trees and mangroves grow in coastal areas. In the humid zone, mahogany grows in large numbers, as well as rubber and fruit trees. In drier areas, ebony and satinwood are found. Orchids, acacias, cypresses, and eucalyptus trees are common throughout the country.

Animal world

The fauna of Sri Lanka is very diverse. Of the 451 species of birds, 251 species are permanent inhabitants of the island, of which 24 are found only in Sri Lanka. Beginning in mid-August, the first flocks of migratory birds arrive for the winter from Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe. The reservoirs of the arid zone attract a large number of ducks, and larger waterfowl such as flamingos, pelicans, and storks prefer the reservoirs of national parks and reserves.

Bundala National Park is especially famous for its flamingo colonies. The variety of shapes and colors of 242 species of butterflies can be observed in March-April, when the seasonal migration begins. Among the 86 species of animals, elephants occupy the main place. At the beginning of the 19th century, when the British arrived, there were more than 30,000 elephants on the island. Now only 6,000 remain.

The destruction of habitat has led to a decline in the number of elephants, but large herds of elephants can still be found in national parks such as Yala, Gall Oya, and Udawalawe. The wild cat of Sri Lanka, the leopard, is also on the verge of extinction, although Vilpatu Park can rightfully be proud of the number of inhabitants.

Sri Lanka is home to such animals as wild boars, jackals, wild buffalos, several species of deer, bears, porcupines, foxes and of course monkeys. 54 species of freshwater fish, of which 17 were introduced by the British. Of the 38 amphibians, 16 are unique.

The island abounds in reptiles, 75 species, of which two species of crocodiles, a water monitor and a monitor lizard are the largest. The star turtle is the only land turtle on the island. 5 species of sea turtles are protected by law. Of the 83 species of snakes, only 5 are poisonous.

Attractions

Sri Lanka is one of the most ancient countries in the world. Somewhere in these parts, according to legend, Adam and Eve descended to Earth; many ancient authors even correlated the location of the Garden of Eden itself with Taprobane or Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was called until 1972). This amazing island is home to many historical treasures protected by UNESCO, as well as a large number of places associated with the name of Buddha. Hundreds of kilometers of beaches and a unique underwater world place Sri Lanka among the world's largest seaside resorts.

Banks and currency

Lankan Rupee (LKR), equal to 100 cents. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 rupees.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00-15:00. Banks are usually closed on Saturday and Sunday, as well as most holidays.

It is recommended to exchange money only at official institutions and exchange offices, usually located in banks, airports and large international hotels. When exchanging currency at official institutions, a special check is issued, according to which, upon departure from Colombo, at the airport bank you can make a reverse exchange of rupees at the official purchase rate.

You can exchange money in markets or in private shops - currency will be accepted almost everywhere, but there is a high risk of encountering fraud, since prices in dollar terms are quite low and change may simply not be returned or converted at an unfavorable rate.

Large hotels and shops accept international credit cards from leading payment systems. ATMs are also common in large cities. Large banks and hotels accept international travel checks for payment (often the exchange rate is even better than cash). Outside the resort areas, it is almost impossible to pay using non-cash means of payment.

Useful information for tourists

When going to Sri Lanka, take light cotton clothing and a hat with you. Be sure to stock up on sunscreen and sunburn lotion. There are no strict requirements for clothing in the country, but you should not visit temples in shorts or in clothes with open backs and shoulders, and you must take off your shoes when entering the temple.

Sri Lanka is famous all over the world for its precious stones: sapphires, rubies, topazes, etc. We recommend purchasing jewelry in specialized stores, requiring the appropriate receipt or certificate. Ceylon tea, spices, and handicrafts: masks, batik, leather goods are also known throughout the world. In cities you can buy inexpensive textile products. In markets, private stores, and shops, we advise you to bargain on the price. You can reduce the cost of goods by 30% relative to the original price.

Tipping is not required. However, a hotel receptionist or restaurant waiter will appreciate a few extra cents.

It would be useful to know that taxi drivers in the capital never give change.

Ceylon tea- this is the first thing that came to my mind after a friend invited me to visit this distant country. How far away I had a very rough idea.

Where is Sri Lanka located?

And she is located VIndian Ocean. This is a lonely island near India. It is noteworthy that the island was once connected to India by land, but that was a very long time ago, however, it left an imprint on Sri Lanka itself, the local residents and their way of life.

Locals

The bulk of the local population is divided according to religious views between Catholics and Buddhists. In this connection, the island is dotted with Catholic and Buddhist temples.

Local residents are divided into Tamils ​​and Sinhalese. Tamils ​​are slightly lighter than Sinhalese, which is a source of pride for them.

Pros of holidays with and without a package

Based on personal experience, I would note several points in favor« wild» recreation:

• We managed to see several cities, visit on different sides of the island, it’s unlikely to be possible to do this with a voucher.
• You can hire a local resident, some speak Russian, to take you around the island. We did just that and did not regret it.
• In our budget The package holiday would not have been possible, and we would have seen much less.
• We visited places where tourists rarely go, or they don’t stop by at all, judging by the rounded eyes of the local residents when they see us. :)

Now in favor of the trip:

• A distant country, its own rules, its own mentality. Go according to the ticket, in any case,safer.
• If you are taking us on an excursion, they will bring you and show you everything in the best possible way.. We, while relaxing as savages, used the services of local residents. A funny thing happened: they took us to show the elephants and, as promised, they showed us, only they brought us to a landfill. :)

I would especially like to recommend visiting the most beautiful place that stands out on the entire island - this .

This is a small town located at an altitude of 1884 meters above sea level, the locals call this town - New England. Having visited many places in Sri Lanka and, periodically, sweltering from the heat, we arrived in Nuwara Eliya and plunged into the coolness. Clouds are walking around the city, very beautiful and unusual. This town sunk into my soul, but we didn’t have time to enjoy its beauty, so we moved on.

We visited tea plantations and a huge botanical garden, in the cities of Anuradhapura and. We were also at a huge market in Colombo. All these places are not alike.

So where is . Leaving aside the geographical side of the issue, I will say: where everyone should visit!

The request for "Ceylon" is redirected here; see also other meanings. This article is about the state, about the island, see Sri Lanka (island). Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ජය இலங்கை ஜனநாயக… … Wikipedia

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, state in South. Asia, on the island Sri Lanka. Name from Sanskrit. sri glorious, magnificent, blessed, lanka land. Until 1972 it was called Ceylon. This name is based on Sanskrit. Sinhala dvipa... ... Geographical encyclopedia

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (until 1972 Ceylon), a state in South Asia, on the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, at the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula. 65.6 thousand km2. Population over 18.3 million people (1996), in... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Sri Lanka- Sri Lanka. Ancient city of Anuradhapura. SRI LANKA (Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka), a state in South Asia, on the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, off the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula. Area 65.6 thousand km2.… … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (until 1972 Ceylon), a state in the South. Asia, on the island Sri Lanka in the Indian region, at the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula. 65.6 thousand km². population of St. 17.6 million people (1993), mostly Sinhalese... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Ceylon, emerald island Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Sri Lanka noun, number of synonyms: 4 emerald island (1) ... Synonym dictionary

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)- (Sri Lanka), an island state in the Indian Ocean, near the southeast. coast of India. The early history of Sh.L. was greatly influenced by India, and modern times. The state was formed as a result of three stages of Europe. colonization. Here they dominated at first... ... The World History

- (until 1972 Ceylon) Republic of Sri Lanka, a state on the island of the same name in the Indian Ocean, southeast of the Hindustan Peninsula. Member of the Commonwealth (British). Area 65.6 thousand km2. Population 13.7 million people. (1976). The capital is Colombo. IN… … Great Soviet Encyclopedia

State in South. ASIA, on the island of Sri Lanka. Under this name the island was known in ancient times along with the self-name Sinhaladvipa (lit. lion island); its Arabic distortion of Serendib was transformed by the Portuguese into Ceilão, by the Dutch into... ... Soviet historical encyclopedia

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), an island state in South Asia, south of the Hindustan Peninsula. Separated from the mainland by the shallow Polk Strait and the Gulf of Manara, between which there is a chain of islands... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

Books

• Sri Lanka with a map! (RG11204), Heine Paul. What is Sri Lanka? The tropical island is located in the Indian Ocean. The north of Sri Lanka and the south of India are separated by the Palk Strait, 35 km wide, and connected by Adam’s Bridge - a chain of shoals and coral...
• Guide to Sri Lanka 14 routes 12 maps map, Heine P.. What is Sri Lanka? The tropical island is located in the Indian Ocean. The north of Sri Lanka and the south of India are separated by the Palk Strait, 35 km wide, and connected by Adam’s Bridge, a chain of shallows and coral...