Detailed map of Sri Lanka in Russian. Where is Sri Lanka Where is Sri Lanka on the world map

The Island of Cinnamon and Lions, as Sri Lanka is called, is the pearl of the Indian Ocean. This ninth largest island covers an area of ​​65,610 km² and is located 31 km from southern India. The length of the coast is 1340 km. The island's population is 21.1 million people, they are always good-natured and hospitable people. The capital of the republic is Colombo.

Once upon a time, Sri Lanka was called Taprobana, which translated means “the land of cinnamon.” Later, Ceylon - the “Land of Lions” - became famous thanks to its excellent tea, and the image of a lion still adorns the flag of the state. In 1972, the republic returned its name - Sri Lanka, which translates as “shining island”. 6 best attractions in Sri Lanka in our review.

A truly fabulous evergreen paradise island in the Bay of Bengal attracts numerous tourists. Sri Lanka is stunning with a variety of exotic fruits and attractions, beaches and coral reefs, stone cities with a thousand-year history and Buddhist temples with their unique rituals. Elephants are sacred animals and regular participants in religious holidays.

See where Sri Lanka is located on the world map:

Detailed tourist map of Sri Lanka with resorts, roads and attractions.

1. Dambulla Cave Temples

Sri Lanka's Buddhist heritage is nowhere more clearly evident than at the Golden Temple of Dambulla. A sacred place of pilgrimage for 22 centuries, this cave-temple is the best preserved structure of its kind in Sri Lanka. The temple contains five separate caves, each containing ancient statues and murals of Buddha. The statues vary in size and reach 15 meters in height. The largest cave, the Cave of the Great Kings, contains 56 statues, while others are dedicated to Hindu gods such as Vishnu and Saman, with statues dating back to the 12th century. Temples and caves are one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.

2. Anuradhapura

The remains of the ancient city of Anuradhapura are located 200 kilometers north of Colombo, the majestic remains of the ancient city are located in the jungle, the first buildings are believed to date back to the 5th century BC. these are palaces, monasteries and monuments. The ancient city was the capital of the island for more than 10 centuries before the invasion in 993. The city once had one of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world and the reservoir reservoirs are still visible on the surface, they are among the oldest surviving in the world today.

3. Adam's Peak

The legendary mountain, Adam's Peak, rises above the island of Sri Lanka, its height is more than 2,300 meters above sea level. Known as Sri Pada or Adam's Peak, the mountain has been revered as a place of pilgrimage and worship for all major faiths in the country for generations. The Holy Mountain bears what appears to be a footprint on its summit. Depending on their religion, pilgrims believe that the seal was left there by Buddha, God Shiva, or Adam after he was kicked out of Eden.

4. Galle

The city of Galle is located 100 kilometers south of Colombo and a short distance west of Matara, the city is famous for being imbued with the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The main attraction is the Dutch fort, built in 1663, with its massive ramparts on the promontory. Galle is a delightful and unexpected mixture of crumbling colonial history and exotic, tropical beauty.

Inside the walls of the fort, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can see Dutch manors, churches and museums, as well as the Oriental Hotel, originally the home of Dutch governors. Halle is home to a creative community and attracts many international artists, writers and poets.

5. Kandy

The calm and peaceful atmosphere of Kandy, in the heart of the Sri Lankan highlands, is probably a result of the city's bucolic setting of a tranquil lake in a bowl of hills. This vibrant, unique city, which has resisted Portuguese and Dutch colonization for three centuries, is a bastion of the island's widespread Buddhist faith.

Kandy's main attraction is the octagonal Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, which attracts hundreds of pilgrims for daily ceremonies honoring the relic. According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha while he was lying on the funeral pyre and smuggled to Sri Lanka.

6. Sigiriya

Sigiriya is a unique attraction in central Sri Lanka, 160 kilometers northeast of Colombo. The remains of an ancient royal fortress and city date back to 477 AD. they stand on a huge rock that rises 180 meters above the surrounding plain. King Kasyapa built a fort to protect himself from the attack of his brother, who stole the throne after killing his father.

The only way into the city is through the massive carved jaws of a lion - the name Sigiriya comes from 'giriya', meaning 'jaws and throat' and 'Sinha' meaning 'lion'.

7. Trincomalee

The ancient port city of Trincomalee or Trinco is located on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka, and has a perfect natural harbor, which was immediately appreciated by European sailors. The Danes were the first to come here in 1617.

The region is a popular seaside resort as the coastline is actually very beautiful and a beach holiday can be combined with many good cultural attractions in Trinco.

Among the attractions are Fort Frederick, built by the Portuguese, Wellington House, the home of the Duke of Wellington and the Koneswaram Temple at Swami Rock.

8. Horton Plains National Park

Located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, Horton Plains National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka, featuring densely forested mountains, misty lakes and hidden waterfalls. The park is one of the few parks in Sri Lanka where you can hike independently along designated trails. The park is home to a variety of animals, including deer, wild boar, otter, leopard, macaques and many species of birds.

Video about Sri Lanka:

Many tourists ask where the island of Sri Lanka is located on the map, in which country. We explain that the island-country is located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of India. The island is separated from it by a strait 50 kilometers wide.

In recent years, holidays on the island have become popular. This is truly exotic for residents of northern latitudes, who have never seen much sun in their lives, and many have never been to the ocean. Therefore, the island seems to us like a lost dream.


Since the opportunity to fly back and forth has arisen, how not to take advantage. Tourists come to soak up the sun, buy strange souvenirs, and breathe in ocean air rather than sea air. They are attracted by the opportunity to see whales. The island is favorably located, local residents took advantage of this advantage and began exporting coconuts, spices, and Ceylon tea to the mainland.

Country on an island

The city-country is home to 21 million people, a significant portion of which are employed in the tourism business. To finally understand where the island is, remember your school geography course and find the island of Ceylon on the map. This is the English name for the island of Sri Lanka.

The capital is Colombo, where 700 thousand people live. The area of ​​the island is comparable to the islands of Ireland and Tasmania. The coastline stretches for almost 1300 km. Abundance of beaches overlooking the ocean. The nature of the island is remembered by tourists for a long time as unique. Imagine that after a certain number of hours you will be transported from some Kostroma to the tropics. Don’t the plateaus there and the lush vegetation in which the island is buried seem miraculous?

History has left its mark on him. Until the mid-19th century, it was a colony of European countries, which inevitably affected its development. The first states on the island appeared in the fifth century BC, so it has a rich history. Since the 16th century it was colonized by England, Portugal and Holland.

These predatory countries have spread their influence wherever they can, continuing to hold the whole world in their hands and decide its destinies. The modern state in Sri Lanka is called the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, which is headed by a president.

The main distinctive features that attract tourists are the combination of tea plantations - the main souvenir of tourists, rice fields, quaint hills, Buddhist temples, warm sea, precious and semi-precious stones, unusual flora and fauna, spice plantations and idyllic beaches.

Local population

The cultural center of the island is the city of Colombo. There are two main nations living here - the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Therefore, the country has two official languages: Sinhala and Tamil. And in coastal areas, people understand English, which is necessary to communicate with tourists. I wonder if anyone understands Russian or other Slavic languages?

The colonial past is reflected in the living descendants of the Portuguese and Spanish colonizers. But they make up no more than 15% of the population. I wonder how the indigenous population feels about them? Doesn’t he take revenge for the past, doesn’t he consider them outcasts? Or maybe, on the contrary, they retained their leading positions in management and business. And they continue to live happily and exploit the local population. In general, all this is interesting, and for real tourists it is an unexplored niche that they will definitely want to explore.


Sri Lanka is a developing country with the majority of its population engaged in agriculture. They cultivate tea plantations, fish, extract rubber, collect precious stones, collect coconuts, grow spices, mine precious metals and develop the textile industry.

In recent years, the tourism sector has been developing rapidly. More and more people want to fly here from different parts of the world. And residents of the northern hemisphere strive to spend six months, leaving winter for warm summers on the ocean shore. What may seem interesting is that all four world religions are recognized and practiced here: Islam, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity.

Relax and enjoy!

The island has a favorable atmosphere for relaxation! Unlike the northern latitudes, the climate is exactly the opposite. In our summer it is stormy, but the rest of the year you can easily enjoy the light breeze.

The humidity here is truly high, and overly susceptible travelers and people with chronic illnesses will need acclimatization. If you study the climatic features of the coast well, you can stay where it is most favorable.

For example, the coast washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal resembles the sea. Lazy waves slowly roll onto the sand and run back into the sea. If you want to watch the ever-roaring surf, you can go to the ocean coast, it occupies almost the entire rest of the island.

Gifts and souvenirs

Many tourists wonder what is best to bring from Sri Lanka. Of course, this is not an idle question for those who have climbed to the ends of the earth. Ceylon is famous for its excellent tea, plantations of which are everywhere. But it is impossible to try all growing varieties. Tourists are also attracted by products made of precious and semi-precious stones.

It's worth thinking carefully about gold and silver. These metals are exported; no one can vouch for the quality of the metal. Here you can buy real spices and even see how they grow. These are, of course, not tea plantations, but the vegetation is quite unusual for the usual latitudes.

The stores sell countless amounts of jewelry for every taste and budget. The main thing is to be able to choose them. Among the traditional local goods for which the island is famous is Indian cotton. It is particularly soft, as are products made from it. Therefore, Indian cotton is valued an order of magnitude higher than any other, feel free to buy it and take it home - you won’t go wrong, everyone will be happy.

In addition, tourists in any country are attracted by national dishes and exotic fruits, which can be purchased everywhere, both fresh and dried. Stock up on natural essential oils for memories and for gifts and souvenirs, which are specially produced for tourists and thus are distributed throughout the world. However, be careful with the seeds. It is strictly prohibited to import seeds and plants into Russia that have not passed phytosanitary control.

Where to stay?

The World Wide Web has a fairly colorful and detailed description of each of the famous resorts in Sri Lanka. Here, as they say, there is something for every taste and budget. The cultural capital of Colombo is also famous for its popularity and is presented to tourists as a city of contrasts. Here, along with fashionable buildings, shacks of the poor live. Eternal idleness and eternal hunger coexist side by side.


This can be observed in any large eastern city. That's how life works. In the south of the island stretches the beautiful Mirissa beach. This is a sandy beach, a secluded place, suitable for a romantic getaway. There are no usual and noisy tourist attractions here. That's why he's good. It was chosen by novice surfers riding the waves. And having learned, they move to more lush places between the rocks.

What to eat?

As for national cuisine, you will definitely try it, but it is better to do it in small restaurants that are visited by locals. In hotels, tourists are served quite European dishes and Europeanized national dishes, not as spicy as they are used to here.

Curry is considered a spice of all times. Locals prefer vegetarian food, the main ingredient of which is rice. The local cuisine has Indian national roots and is therefore similar to the national dishes of India.

wild nature

The flora and fauna on the island will amaze you as much as anything else. Here you can find relict animals that are no longer found anywhere else on the globe. The same applies to equatorial forests on mountain slopes. They contain such rare species of trees that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Naturally, these animals, plants and birds are very few in number and are on the verge of extinction. The tourism business for them is a kind of stress and an additional threat to life.

Fraudsters are everywhere

A separate warning to tourists is to beware of scammers. They lie in wait everywhere, in cafes, restaurants, transport; traders at the bazaar will first of all charge you a price for an item that you do not give. You can always bargain, especially since this is encouraged in the country.

It’s the same with drivers, they will never name the real cost of the trip, and after looking at the tourist, they will definitely try to charge him more. There is nothing personal about this - just business.

Let's go to Sri Lanka!

So, you have decided to visit Sri Lanka. You can buy a two-week tour for two, or go on a trip on your own. It is worth taking care of an electronic visa, air tickets, and medical insurance necessary for tourists traveling abroad. Book a hotel, order a transfer, provide guides, or plan your own route for future excursions. Or maybe you just like to lie on the beach most of the time and wander around the area or sightsee in the evening.

Many people wonder if family holidays are possible in Sri Lanka? It is possible, but you need to take into account that children find it difficult to endure such long flights. And most importantly, a long acclimatization awaits them on the island, which is unpleasant. Sri Lanka is a kingdom of the tropics, a riot of colors and vegetation. Among the animals that can attract tourists are monkeys, Asian elephants, and palm squirrels.

Climate zones

Since the island is long, natural areas replace each other. Mountains occupy a significant part of the island and rise to a height of up to 2500 meters. The famous tea plantations are located here. But there are also local attractions that tourists consider it a duty to visit. For example, the giant Bambarakanda waterfall.

The second climatic zone on the island is the tropical regions. And the third, most noteworthy for tourists, is the coastal zone with beautiful equipped beaches. This island does not know snow, it does not even fall in the mountains, where the temperature drops to a maximum of 12 degrees Celsius. And with appropriate humidity, this invigorating effect is pleasant and easily tolerated.

The island where dreams come true

The island of Sri Lanka on the map and in life is an exotic place. Arriving there, you find yourself in a kind of paradise, with outlandish coconut palms, smelling of the sea breeze and leaving vivid memories of your vacation on this wonderful island.

Those who like to travel thoroughly can prepare in advance and see the island on a world map in Russian or an interactive map on the Internet with the names of various objects of the island in Russian. It is small in size, you can travel far and wide and learn everything about the life of the local natives, who willingly find a common language with tourists.

How much does a vacation cost?

It is estimated that a flight from Moscow to Sri Lanka will cost less than, say, from St. Petersburg. From other cities it is more expensive, the airlines have their own problems, which a mere mortal is not destined to understand. Prices for tours are not constant and change throughout the year. It is possible to track and buy a trip for two for quite reasonable money.

How long is the flight?

Question: how long does it take to fly? It is known that Aeroflot arrives in 8 hours 35 minutes. In which plane to do this is up to you

Why do you need Sri Lanka?

In general, a holiday in Sri Lanka is recommended for those who are tired of the standard Turkey and Egypt, who want real exoticism, to see live Indian elephants, not just alive, but living in nature, in the wild, or serving as pets to local residents. Isn’t this real exoticism, worthy of diversifying the leisure time of a successful person who can afford to get to know his native planet closely, love it more and take care of it?

Hello, dear readers – seekers of knowledge and truth!

Sri Lanka is an unusual country for Europeans that attracts thousands of tourists every year. It can surprise you with picturesque beaches, high hills with unforgettable views, as well as a warm climate, unique monuments, and centuries-old culture.

Sri Lanka - where is this country located and what is it like? You will learn about its geography, climate, nature, people, culture, religion. If you have been thinking about a trip to Sri Lanka, then in this article you will find brief information about the flight, the main attractions and values ​​of the country.

What country is it

Sri Lanka is a country in southern Asia, located on the island of the same name. It dates back to the 5th century BC, when the first kingdoms appeared here. Since ancient times, local residents have established trade with China, Rome, and Arab countries.

In the 16th century, the island was colonized by England, Portugal and Holland. Their interference in the life of the islanders continued until the middle of the last century. Until 1972, Sri Lanka was called Ceylon.

Now its official name is the “Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka” and is headed by a president. Today, numerous tourists flock here, making the former Ceylon a unique resort.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

Such a tourist flow is not surprising, because here are connected:

  • tea plantations;
  • rice fields;
  • ancient traditions that date back 2.5 thousand years;
  • Buddhist temples;
  • rich flora and fauna;
  • precious and semi-precious stones;
  • herb plantations;
  • mountain slopes;
  • idyllic beaches;
  • warm sea;
  • historical monuments, of which eight are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

One fourth of the world's tea plantations are Ceylon.

Geography

The island is quite easy to find on the world map - it is located approximately one hundred kilometers south of India, in the southeast of the southern edge of Hindustan, separated from it by the western Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait, and the eastern Bay of Bengal.


The shape of the island resembles a teardrop or a pearl, for which it is called “sapphire”.

In the Palk Strait area there is an isthmus that formerly connected Sri Lanka with Hindustan. However, in the 15th century, several earthquakes occurred, causing the sandbank to submerge. Now this place is called "Adam's Bridge".

Geography of Sri Lanka in numbers:

  • length – 450 kilometers;
  • the widest point is 230 kilometers;
  • coastline length – 1.3 thousand kilometers;
  • area – 66 thousand square kilometers.

The island ends in the north with Cape Pedro, in the south with Cape Dondra, and in the west with Cape Dutch Bay. Moreover, one percent of the state consists of small islands near the “sapphire”.

The main water arteries are:

  • Kalu;
  • Mahaweli Ganga;
  • Aruvi-Aru;
  • Kelani.


Kalu River

From Sanskrit “shri” is translated as “holy”, “lanka” - “earth”.

The current republic consists of nine provinces and twenty-five districts. Since 1982, the capital has become a city with the unpronounceable name of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte - now the parliament and the supreme court are located here.

However, the former capital center, the largest city of the state - Colombo, founded in ancient times, is considered a more popular city. The president's residence is also located here.

Climate

The weather pleases residents and visitors all year round - the average temperature is about 27 degrees. In the high season - from October to March, when the cold is raging in Russia, the air here warms up to 32 degrees, and sometimes even higher.

A little cooler in mountainous areas. For example, in winter at the coldest point of the island the temperature can drop to 12 degrees Celsius, but even here there is never snow.


Due to the monsoon climate, rain often occurs: on the west coast - in May-October, on the east - in December-May. However, they do not interfere with enjoying your vacation, because they are short-lived and occur mainly at night.

Relief and landscape

The landscape and relief areas of Ceylon can be divided into three groups:

  • Mountains and hills

They are mainly located in the central part, where most of the tea plantations are concentrated. Mountains can reach 2-2.5 thousand meters.

The highest mountain, Pidurutalagala, exceeds 2520 meters.

  • Rainforests
  • Coast with lowlands and beautiful beach areas.


Nature

They amaze with their diversity. A large number of species of different representatives of the animal and plant world live here:

  • birds - almost 500 (many Siberian and European migratory birds fly here);
  • butterflies – 240;
  • animals – 86;
  • fish – 50;
  • reptiles – 70;
  • snakes - more than 80 (and only five of them are dangerous to humans);
  • plants – 3 thousand.


The symbol of Sri Lanka is perhaps the elephant. They are found everywhere here. However, their population is declining compared to previous times. So, for example, 2 centuries ago there were about thirty thousand of them, while now there are only six thousand.

People

Today, approximately 20.5 million people live on the island, with a gradual population decline. On average, males live to 73 years, females - to 77.

There are several nationalities in the country:

  • Sinhalese - 75%;
  • Tamils ​​- every tenth, live mainly in the north and east;
  • Moors, Arabs - a little more than 9%;
  • burghers, they are also descendants of the colonialists - less than 1%;
  • Veddas, whose ancestors were ancient natives - about a thousand people.


In this regard, Sinhala and Tamil are considered the official languages. You can often hear English spoken, with the help of which representatives of different ethnic groups communicate.

Sri Lanka is a developing country and most of the people are employed in agriculture. The main activity is the cultivation of tea plantations, mining of precious stones, rubber, collection of coconuts, spices, fishing, and textile industry.

The residents themselves simply call their homeland Lanka.

In recent decades, the tourism sector has been developing rapidly on the island. People come here not just on vacation, but increasingly for the winter from northern countries. Some foreigners even seek to settle here for permanent residence.

Contrary to popular belief that former Ceylon is a poor country, the literacy rate here is over 90%.

Culture and religion

The cultural component of the Sri Lankans - and this is what the inhabitants of Sri Lanka are called - is inextricably linked with religion. More than 70 percent of the locals are Buddhists, another 12 percent are Hindus, 9 are Muslims, 7 are Christians.

Many holidays and memorable places are associated specifically with religious beliefs, primarily, of course, with Buddhist philosophy, which appeared on the island back in the 3rd century BC.


Theravada monks in Sri Lanka

Many places of worship go back to Buddhism, for example, the famous Sri Lankan Buddha statue. There are also many Buddhist holidays. Here are some of them:

  • Poya - every full moon is celebrated, and even if it falls on a weekday, it becomes a day off, which should be devoted to meditative practices;
  • Navam Perahera – celebrated in February as the first Buddhist gathering of the year; accompanied by dancing, music, ceremonial processions, the main thing takes place in the Colombian Gangaramai;
  • Esala Perahera is a holiday dedicated to the first sermon of the Teacher in Sri Lanka, celebrated for two weeks; The central event is the removal of the Buddha tooth, the main relic of the island. It is kept in the Kandy Temple, the most important Sri Lankan Buddhist center.

In the 1980s, the symbol of the island became the star flower, the sacred flower of the Buddhists.

We're flying to Sri Lanka

The answer to the question of how long it takes to fly from Russia to Sri Lanka depends on the flight. Direct flights are operated only from Moscow, and not every day; travel time is 8-10 hours. Charters from other cities are possible as part of tour packages.


You can often fly to Sri Lankan shores with a transfer, for example, in Indian Delhi, Qatari Doha, Chinese Beijing or Hong Kong, Korean Seoul, as well as in Dubai, Istanbul or Abu Dhabi. The time difference with Moscow is two and a half hours.

When traveling to Lanka for up to 30 days, Russian citizens can fill out an application electronically on the embassy website and receive a visa upon arrival. This visa costs $35.

Tourists of all sizes can feel comfortable in Sri Lanka: there are both expensive hotels and budget hotels and houses - it all depends on the resort and the tourist’s wallet.

The main resort towns include:

  • Unawatuna;
  • Hikaduwa;
  • Mirissa;
  • Beruwela;
  • Kalutara;
  • Negombo;
  • Bentota;
  • Kosgoda;
  • Colombo;
  • Kalutara
  • Halle;
  • Hambantota;
  • Induruwa;
  • Tangale.


Hambantota Resort, Sri Lanka

Souvenirs

Lanka is famous for many values, but there are things that you should definitely bring from your trip:

  • famous Ceylon tea;
  • spices – pepper, vanilla sticks, cardamom;
  • jewelry - topazes, opals, emerald, sapphire products;
  • plant oil;
  • cotton products
  • attributes of culture and religion - masks, figurines, etc.


Conclusion

To summarize, I would like to say once again that Sri Lanka is a miracle island, a country of rice fields, tea plantations, picturesque hills, kind people and beaches that are more like Eden. It is located south of India, separated from the mainland by a strait. It is warm here all year round, and the locals, mostly Buddhists, get along well with tourists.

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See you soon!

There is an island on the world map that is shaped like a teardrop, with beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque hills, impressive waterfalls, rich wildlife and many historical attractions. This island is called Sri Lanka, an island nation off the southern tip of India.

From this article you will learn:

Where is Sri Lanka on the world map

Sri Lanka is a relatively small country. Therefore, for reference it is better to choose a larger neighbor - India. At first it's worth find India on the map And its southernmost edge, near which is island, Its shape resembles a drop. That's what it is Sri Lanka.

India and Sri Lanka are separated from each other narrow strait only 35 km wide.

It is believed that the island of Sri Lanka was previously connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, from which a chain of shallows and coral islands called Adam's Bridge remains to this day.


The island of Sri Lanka is located at the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula

The waters of the Indian Ocean stretch south from Sri Lanka all the way to Antarctica. In the southwest, Sri Lanka is adjacent to a long coral island chain - Maldives. A trip to Sri Lanka can easily be combined with a holiday in the Maldives.

An article that will help in planning your trip - How to combine a holiday in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and save on air tickets.

Dimensions of the island of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a relatively small country. Area of ​​the island of Sri Lanka 65 thousand km 2, which is 263 times less than the area of ​​Russia, 9 times less than the area of ​​Ukraine and 51 times less than the area of ​​Sri Lanka’s closest neighbor, India.

Sri Lanka length– 432 km. Maximum island width– 225 km. Seems like short distances. But due to the narrow roads, fairly intense traffic and the presence of mountains, it is not possible to drive quickly.

Traveling from one point of the island to another can take quite a lot of time. For example, to cover about 250 km from the beaches in the south of Sri Lanka to the famous rock fortress of Sigiriya in the center of the island it will take 5 - 6 hours.


An ordinary road in an ordinary city (Galle, southern Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka or Ceylon - what is the name of the country

The island we know as Sri Lanka has changed its name several times:

  • Arab traders knew Sri Lanka as the island of gems - Serendip. In the fairy tales "1000 and 1 Night" Sinbad the Sailor visited the island.
  • The Sinhalese (75% of modern Sri Lanka's population) arrived in Sri Lanka from northern India in the 6th century BC and named the island Dinhala Dwipa("Lion Island") or simply Lanka("Earth").
  • The Portuguese, having captured part of the island in 1505, called it Ceilao.
  • The Dutch ousted the Portuguese from the island in 1656 and slightly changed the name to Ceylan.
  • As a British colony from 1802 to 1948, Sri Lanka was called Ceylon.
  • Only in 1972 the island Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka, which literally means "blessed land".

Ready travel itinerary - “The best of Sri Lanka in 12-14 days”.

Sri Lankan tea is still called Ceylon tea, however, like some other goods grown or produced in Sri Lanka.


Ceylon tea is still picked by hand
  • The full name of Sri Lanka is Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
  • From 1983 to 2009, there was a civil war in Sri Lanka, from which the northern and eastern parts of the island suffered greatly.
  • In December 2004, a tsunami hit the eastern and southern coasts of the island; traces of the destruction can still be seen.
  • Sri Lanka has three capitals:
    • The administrative capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura (Kotte).
    • Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka and the economic capital of the country.
    • Kandy- cultural capital of Sri Lanka.
  • You can holiday in Sri Lanka all year round thanks to the warm tropical climate and the shifting rainy season. Read more in the article

The old name of the land of Sri Lanka is the island of Ceylon. It is the birthplace of elephants, Hinduism and tea. Recently, the land has been very actively visited by tourists. The capital of the country is Colombo.

If a person far from geography asks where Sri Lanka is located on the world map, one can answer that it is near India.

Indeed, the island is located, as it were, under the country of the Indians. It is a misconception to consider the independent democratic republic of Sri Lanka to be part of India. The state has its own president, currency and culture. The countries have a lot in common, but they cannot be called complementary to each other.

Geographical location of the island of Sri Lanka

Considering where Sri Lanka is located, you can understand why the island is incredibly popular with vacationers, especially in winter. Having overcome the distances, you can go from winter to summer, where tropical forests, warm ocean waters will greet you, and the variety of tropical fruits will amaze even a sophisticated gourmet.

In search engines you can find a detailed map of the coast of the state. Previously, India and Sri Lanka were connected by a bridge, which fell into disrepair after an earthquake in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Sri Lanka combines the exoticism and comfort of resorts. High-quality service of hotels and recreation areas has long brought the country into the top ten priority countries for a comfortable holiday.

Weather on the island

The island of Sri Lanka is affected by the monsoons. These winds determine the weather and change their direction with the changing of the main seasons. The island's weather conditions are predictable. The periods are divided into rainy season and dry season.

Temperatures reach thirty degrees throughout the year; in the hills and mountains it can be ten degrees less. The territory of the island is not large, but even the area, which is not so small in size, has a clear division: the northeastern coast experiences the rainy season in the fall, and the southwestern coast in the summer. This predictability allows you to choose the optimal place to relax in any month of the year.

Holidays on the island of Sri Lanka

The holiday destination can be safely called universal, because the country will be attractive both for extreme sports enthusiasts and for those who prefer a relaxing holiday. Sri Lanka is an extravaganza! The country never ceases to amaze and each new visit can reveal the island in a new way.

The size of the island is quite small, but there are a lot of resorts here that will satisfy the needs of everyone: lovers of a noisy holiday or lovers of silence and privacy. In order for your vacation to bring only positive emotions, you need to choose the right part of the country in a particular season, taking into account the rainy season.

Vacation organizers are concerned about the comfort of their clients, so you can find information that provides recommendations on the best, acceptable and not recommended times for visits.

When going to an unfamiliar country, you need to find out the most interesting things about it. For example, what are the people of the state called? Sri Lankans, and few people know about it. Besides this, did you know that:

  • The country changed its name just over forty years ago; before it was known as Ceylon.
  • Every new moon is considered a public holiday, when all institutions and banks are closed. On this day, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
  • In Sri Lanka, New Year is celebrated in April.
  • The air temperature remains virtually unchanged throughout the year, the maximum difference being about five degrees.
  • More than half of the local residents adhere to Buddhism, the rest are Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
  • The cost of living may increase by several percent; it is necessary to have some reserve funds.
  • Renting a home for a traveler will cost a few dollars per day; long-term rent will cost just a penny.
  • Bargaining something on the market from a local resident is almost impossible.
  • The cost for tourists for all excursions is much more expensive than for the local population.
  • Kottu is a national dish made from dough, vegetables and meat.
  • The favorite delicacy of Sri Lankans is ice cream.
  • There is always a lot of baked goods on sale, which are abundantly consumed by local residents.
  • Sri Lankans are very hospitable, they love to treat foreigners, it can be fruits, sweets or sandwiches. It is indecent to refuse.
  • The tourism business is only gaining momentum, so it is almost impossible to meet compatriots on the street.
  • You are only allowed to stay in the country for a month; after the period expires, you will have to pay a fine of twenty-five dollars when leaving.
  • Smoking in public places is prohibited and is punishable by a heavy fine.
  • Almost all bus drivers are real reckless drivers.
  • There are very cheap mobile communications and tickets for traveling by train.
  • The country is one of the top three tea exporters.
  • A tour to a tea plantation is very popular among travelers.

Sri Lanka is an interesting exotic country with a lot of interesting places.