Mira, it’s worth starting with the search for India. This state is located in Asia, the peninsula where it is located has the outline of an isosceles triangle, one of the vertices of which points strictly to the south. Sri Lanka is located in close proximity to India at a distance of approximately 100 km to the southeast. It is not difficult to find; it is the only large island in the Indian Ocean. On a larger scale, you can see that there is a sandbank between Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula - until the 15th century, these two geographical objects were connected, but after a series of earthquakes the isthmus was destroyed and went under water. The name of the state is derived from two words in Hindi: “shri” - glorious and “” - earth. However, the older generation knows the island as Ceylon - that’s how it was until 1972.

The sandbar in the Palk Strait, which previously connected Hindustan with the island of Sri Lanka, is called Adam's Bridge.

State of Sri Lanka

The entire area of ​​Sri Lanka is occupied by the state of the same name, although many mistakenly classify the island as an Indian state. The official capital is a city with the difficult to pronounce name of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, however, the unofficial economic and cultural center of the country is Colombo. The development of Sri Lanka was significantly influenced by the Portuguese, who were the first to colonize the island, and the British, because it was under the protectorate of Britain for about a century and a half. Most of the residents are employed in agriculture - world-famous tea is grown here. Tourism is also an important industry; in recent years people have come here not just on vacation, but for the entire winter season; among vacationers there are many open professions that allow them to work remotely.

It is interesting that tea grown on the island is still called Ceylon; the name “Sri Lankan” has not taken root.

How to get to Sri Lanka

There are direct flights from Moscow to Colombo, but they do not operate every day. If you need to get to Sri Lanka at a different time, you will have to plan a transfer to Abu Dhabi (Saudi Arabia), Dubai (UAE), Koch (Qatar) or Istanbul (Turkey). Travel time ranges from eight hours depending on the duration of the connection. Before traveling to Sri Lanka, you must obtain an entry visa.

Sri Lanka.

The disappeared state of Ceylon.
Years of existence: from 1505 to 1972.
In ancient times, the land where the Vedda tribes lived had the historical name of Sri Lanka.
In the 6th century BC, the Sinhalese invaded the island.
In the 3rd century, the Tamils ​​invaded.
At different times, Sinhala and Tamil states existed here.
By the beginning of the 16th century, there were at least thirty principalities in Sri Lanka, the rulers of which were at enmity with each other.
In the 16th century, the island became Portuguese, and a fortress was built here. The Portuguese exported cinnamon, precious stones and elephants.
In the middle of the 17th century, Portuguese power was replaced by Dutch power,
By the end of the 18th century, the British gained a foothold on the island. Sri Lanka became Ceylon and was declared a British colony in 1802. The British managed to subjugate the entire territory of the island.
On February 4, 1848, Ceylon became an independent dominion state within the British Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1972, the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka was proclaimed. The ancient name was returned to the independent state.
The capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Geographical coordinates

Latitude
7°38′30″N (7.641643)
Longitude
80°41′31″E (80.691979)

Directions from Moscow

By plane - 12 hours. to Bandaranaike Airport.

Travel from St. Petersburg

By plane - 13 hours. to Bandaranaike Airport.

Distance from Moscow

Distance from St. Petersburg

Description in the encyclopedic dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron (published at the border of the 19th-20th centuries)

Ceylon (Ceylon), ancient. Ta probane, native. Singhala - Bol. island in the Indian Ocean, crown colony of Great Britain, in the southeast. from the Hindustan Peninsula, between 5°53′-9°51′ N. w. and 76°42′-81°55′ E. d.

Space about 64000 sq. km, the greatest length from north to south is 450 km, width - 230 km.

Residents 3,576,000 (1901); the main element of the population is the Sinhalese; some of them are descendants of colonists from the Ganges Valley who first settled here in 543 BC. In 1901, there were 2,334,570 Sinhalese, 950,844 Tamils ​​(a race of South India), 249,572 Moors (Moormen), 23,253 Euphrasians and others, 9,583 Europeans. There are also Veddas (see), Afghans and Malays.

Orographically, Ceylon is divided into two extremely different regions.

The northern half of the island is low-lying plains, mostly covered with extensive tropical forests; the south is a country of mountains and valleys; central part of the south The region is occupied by a mountain range stretching between 6°40′-7°40′ N. w. and reaching an average height of 2000-2500 m; the most significant peak, Pedrotallagalla, rising in the center of the ridge, at 2524 m; the most famous of these mountains is Adam's Peak (2262 m high), according to the native Samanella, in Buddhist books called Kripada (Saripada, Cripada), which means “Imprint of the sacred foot” of the Buddha, as well as Sumanakuta, Devakuta.

Others most lofty peaks of the main ridge: Kirigalpolla (2380 m) east of Peak Adam and Totapolla (2353 m). This whole mountainous region, rightly called Sinhalese Switzerland, abounds in picturesque views and beautiful and fertile valleys; well watered and intersected with forests and cultivated fields, and enjoys one of the best climates in the world. Geologically, the ridge of the mountains consists of gneiss, intersected by veins of quartz, and in places granite; near the coast, basalt looms large in many places. Individual spurs of mountains and hills dot the vast undulating plains that encircle the mountain range and gradually slope toward the shores. On the N. and NW. The coast islands are flat, monotonous, dotted with lagoons; in the south and east they are elevated and rocky. Despite the fact that Ceylon, in its general circumference, is rich in small bays, it has only one real roadstead, extensive, deep, well defended and combining all the conditions of an excellent military and commercial port - Trincomalee, on the eastern coast of the island; the other two, Pointe de Galle and Colombo, are insignificant.

Rec there are many and quite large, especially 10 on the west coast, between the bays of Pointe de Galle and Manard. There are even more rivers on the eastern bank, but they are less significant; in low-lying areas, where there are terrible heat and where evaporation is very significant, the sources are insufficient to constantly feed the rivers. The most significant rivers of Ceylon: the Mahavelliganga in the North, forming a vast delta, the main branch of which flows into Trincomalee Bay; Kalaniganga, flowing to the West near Colombo; Malwatta Oya - to the NW; very few of pp. Ceylon is navigable; there are no lakes, but the ancient rulers of Ceylon dug reservoirs and irrigation canals, the size of which is still a source of amazement.

Climate Ceylon is more level and pleasant than the Indian subcontinent, from which it is separated by the Gulf of Manaar; generally hot and humid, with very slight fluctuations throughout the year: the averages of the warmest and coldest months differ by only 2°-3°, the average year in Colombo is 27°, in the east. bank ½° higher. It's colder in the mountains, for example. in the famous sanatorium Nevera Elia (1890 m) 15.0. Ceylon is located in the monsoon region, from May to October southwest, bringing rain to the western part of Ceylon. From November to April north-east. monsoon and rains in the east. The division of the year into rainy and dry periods is sharp only in the north and east, where less rain falls; in the south and west there is little rain in all months, and even more even rain in the mountainous center. The average amount on the coast is 1800 mm per year, in the north and east 1000-1200, in the mountains much more, up to 4000. The climate of Ceylon in populated and cultivated areas is quite healthy; Fevers are rampant in the dense forests in the north and east. Here in ancient times there was the densest population and huge structures for artificial irrigation. Some dams were hundreds of square meters. km area. Now it is all in disrepair, the water has stagnated and the area has become unhealthy.

The population is now concentrated mainly in the West, where there are huge coconut groves and rice fields, and in the mountainous center, where the British established huge coffee plantations and, since the 1870s, when coffee was affected by disease, plantations of the Assam variety of the tea bush. A significant portion of the workers are Tamils ​​from India.

The vegetation of Ceylon is luxurious, as on the islands of the Malay Archipelago, with which it has great similarities, second only to the north and east. The main product of the soil is rice, cultivated for local consumption; under its crop in 1900 there were 672,584 acres, under other crops - 109,095 acres; tea occupied 405,405 acres, coffee - 7,086 acres, coconuts - 846,115 acres, cinnamon - 39,619 acres. The forests are vast and their species are varied.

Ceylon is rich in minerals, especially precious stones (rubies, sapphires and, in great abundance, garnets); There is an abundance of pearl fishing in the Gulf of Manaar. Gold, silver, iron (excellent quality), lead, coal (anthracite), kaolin. Almost all the animals of Hindustan are found in the forests of Ceylon, with the exception of the tiger and horse; the most important representative of mammals is the elephant; herds of elephants roam in the southwest. areas of the island. Ivory mining; turtle and pottery products, mat weaving, fan making, wood carving. The salt industry is a government monopoly. 298 railway miles roads (1900), 367 post. and telegraph offices and 2,451 miles of telegraph wire.

Administration of Ceylon in the hands of the governor, an executive council of 5 members and a legislative council of 18 members (including the governor and members of the executive council). Representatives of the main races of the island sit on the legislative council. For administrative purposes, Ceylon is divided into 9 provinces, headed by government agents. Large cities have their own city government; in the districts the natives retain their village councils and courts for matters of lesser importance.

Main religion Buddhist - 1,877,043 people; Hindus 615932, Mohammedans 211995, Christians 302127.

Public education has made significant progress since it was organized under a separate department of education; in 1899, 193,468 students attended school. The only higher government school is the Royal College, but many private English higher schools receive subsidies. Technical College with 125 students; agricultural and forestry schools; 32 professional schools.

Finance of Ceylon in 1900: income (in rupees) 27325930, expenses - 28948925. Imports amounting to 122339758 rupees, exports - 94962277.

Main city Colombo; other wonderful cities are Jaffna, Kandu and Gall. Ceylon was conquered by the Portuguese in 1505 in the west and south; about half of the 17th century he was taken from them by the Dutch. In 1795-96. The British took possession of the foreign colonies of the island, which was annexed to the Madras Presidency. In 1798, Ceylon was recognized as a separate colony. In 1815, after a successful fight against the native tribes of the central regions, the entire island was subject to British rule. Wed. Emerson Tennent. "Ceylon" Schmidt, "Ceylon" (1897); Geiger, "Ceylon" (1898); Van der Aa, “Ile de Ceylon. Croquis, mœurs et coutumes" (Leuven, 1899); Minaev, “Essays on Ceylon and India”; Klingen, “Among the Patriarchs of Agriculture. T. II. Ceylon and India."

Video

Geography of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country located in South Asia near the equator, on the island of the same name in the Indian Ocean. A beautiful tropical island with long sandy beaches framed by lush tropical greenery, it is located just 34 km southeast of the Indian city of Rameswaram. Sri Lanka is the 25th largest island in the world.

The island of Sri Lanka is separated from mainland India by the Palk Bay, as well as a chain of small islands called Adam's Bridge, located in the Gulf of Mannar. The total length of the Sri Lanka coastline is 1340 km. On the western side the island is washed by the Laccadive Sea, on the eastern side by the Bay of Bengal (the country is washed on all sides by the waters of the Indian Ocean). The state has maritime borders with India in the northwest and the Maldives in the southwest.

Sri Lanka island coordinates

• Length: from 5° 55"C to 9° 50"C,
• Width: from 79° 41"B to 81° 52"B.

The coordinates are given for the extreme points of the island.

Distance from Sri Lanka to the equator

Contrary to popular belief, the equator line does not pass through Sri Lanka; the distance by water from the southernmost point of the island (Cape Dondra in the Matara region) to the equator is 650 km.

Island territory

The area occupied by the state is 65,610 sq km, of which 64,740 sq km is land and 870 sq km is water. The largest island of Sri Lanka has an area of ​​65,268 sq km, its length is 430 km, its width is 218.82 km (Negombo - Kalmunai).

Relief

The entire surface of the island of Sri Lanka can be divided according to geographical relief into three zones with a corresponding climate: the Central Highlands, plains and coastal lowlands. The relief of the island is very heterogeneous, due to which the country has several climatic zones with significantly different weather conditions and temperatures.

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (center of the country)

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka are the heart of the island and this area includes its highest mountains. The high plateau located in the center of the island stretches for 65 km from north to south. The country's highest point is Mount Pidurutalagala, 2,524 m high, located at the southern end of the plateau. At the foot of Pidurutalagala lies the city of Nuwara Eliya, famous for its tea. From Pidurutalagala there are many kilometers of mountain ranges: to the west to Sri Pada / Adam's Peak at 50 km, the height of the peak is 2,243 m, and also to the east, to Mount Namunakula with a height of 2,036 m. On the sides of the high central ridges there are two lower plateaus.

In the west of the Central Highlands lies the Horton Plateau, a deeply dissected series of ridges with a precipitous edge sloping down to lower altitudes towards the north. The Uva Plateau, located in the east of the Central Highlands, consists of valleys interspersed with deep valleys and gorges. To the north, separated from the main body of the mountain and plateau by wide valleys, lies the Knuckles Massif: steep mountain ledges, deep gorges and peaks rising to more than 1,800 meters above sea level. South of Adam's Peak lie the parallel Rakwana Ranges, with several peaks over 1,400 meters high. The altitude level drops from the central part of the highlands to a series of escarpments, to an altitude of 400-500 meters, before descending to the low zone of the coastal plains.

Plains of Sri Lanka (north)

Most of the surface of the island of Sri Lanka lies on plains with an altitude of 30 to 200 m above sea level. In the southwest, the ridges and troughs gradually gain elevation, merging with the Central Highlands. Extensive erosion in this area has led to the destruction of many ridges and the formation of fertile soil downstream of the rivers. In the southeast, red lateritic soils create a relatively flat surface of monolithic hills. The transition from the plain to the central part of the highlands in the southeast is quite steep: the mountains rise almost vertically. In the east and north the highland is a flat plain, dissected by long narrow granite ridges extending from its central part.

Coastal lowlands (coast along the edge of the island)

The mountainous part of the country is surrounded by coastal lowlands, lying at an altitude of about 30 m above sea level. Much of the coastline consists of picturesque sandy beaches with extensive coastal lagoons and wetlands. In the northeast and southwest there are natural bays of Galle and Trincomalee deeply cut into the land.

Natural resources of Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, significant reserves of rocks such as limestone, graphite, quartzite, marble, minerals, phosphates, and clays exist and are being developed.

Mountains of Sri Lanka

The highest mountains in Sri Lanka are located in the Central Highlands region of Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura, their heights range from 2000 to 2524 meters. List of the highest mountains on the island:

1. Pidurutalagala - 2524 m
2. Kirigalpotta - 2395 m
3. Totupola Kanda - 2357 m
4. Kudahagala - 2320 m
5. Adam's Peak - 2243 m
6. Kikilimana - 2240 m
7. Great Western - 2216 m
8. Hakgala - 2170 m
9. Conical Hill - 2166 m
10. Van Tree Hill - 2100 m

Sri Lanka Islands

The territories of Sri Lanka include not only the island of the same name, but also a number of islands, the total area of ​​which is over 342 sq km. Most of the islands are concentrated in the northern and northeastern regions of the country: Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. They were formed millions of years ago during the separation of Sri Lanka from the continental territory of Hindustan. The numerous islands in the northern part of the country vary greatly in size. Thus, one of the smallest in area is Pigeon (Trincomalee), occupying an area of ​​only 0.01 sq. km, while the largest, North Mannar, occupies 126 sq. km.

Rivers of Sri Lanka

Due to the relief, which forms a large number of rivers, and many natural and man-made reservoirs, Sri Lanka has huge reserves of renewable water resources: 53 cubic km. The longest river in the country, with a length of 325 km, is the Mahaweli Ganga River, which originates in the valleys of the Horton Plateau.

The second longest is Malvathu Oya, its length is 164 km. The remaining rivers (there are more than a hundred of them) are shorter, but mostly also originate in the Central Highlands region, such as the Kelani Ganga or Walawe Ganga. The total length of the rivers exceeds 4,500 km; there are reservoirs on the island with a total area of ​​169,941 hectares.

The man-made reservoirs dug in ancient times by the Sinhala kings throughout the island and the infrastructure work carried out by the Dutch in the 18th century to build canals on the island make it possible to provide water to all major cities to this day.

10 longest rivers in Sri Lanka

1. Mahaweli Ganga - 325 km;
2. Aruvi Aru - 170 km;
3. Malvathu Oya - 164 km;
4. Cala Oia - 148 km;
5. Kelani Ganga - 145 km;
6. Ian Oia - 142 km;
7. Deduru Oia - 142 km;
8. Walave Ganga - 138 km;
9. Maduru Oia - 135 km;
10. Maha Oya - 134 km.

Coral reefs of Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka is surrounded by coral reefs that are found along the entire coastline around it. The corals in the northeastern part of the island have survived to this day much better than the corals in the southwest. In the south, they were badly damaged during the 2004 tsunami, which practically destroyed the “Underwater Gardens” of Hikkaduwa and other resort towns.

National flag of Sri Lanka.

Bentota's beaches are famous for their fine sand and shady palm trees.

Sri Lanka is a country in South Asia, a popular tourist country. Tourists are attracted by the palette of colors of the island's flora, beautiful waterfalls, picturesque mountains, the 180-meter Sigiriya rock 150 km northeast of Colombo with ancient rock paintings and the ruins of a 5th century palace, numerous Buddhist shrines - dagobas, searching and processing of precious stones, pearl mining.

Sri Lanka. The picturesque Mount Sigiriya is a giant monolith with a fortress on top.

Colombo. Hindu temple. Detail of sculptural decoration.

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is an island in the Indian Ocean, located south of the Hindustan Peninsula. According to the current constitution, the head of state of Sri Lanka is the president, who is also the head of the executive branch and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Legislative power in the country belongs to the parliament - the National State Assembly. Administratively, Sri Lanka consists of 9 provinces headed by government officials. The capital of the country is Colombo. As a former British colony, Sri Lanka is part of the Commonwealth.

Sri Lanka. Panorama of Colombo.

In terms of ethnic composition, Sri Lanka is a multinational country. The total population is 20.9 million people. 74% of the population are Sinhalese, over 18% are Tamils. Small nations and ethnic groups of mixed origin include the Moors - descendants of Arab and Persian traders, the burghers are descended from mixed marriages between the Portuguese and Dutch, on the one hand, and the Sinhalese and Tamils, on the other. In the mountainous forest region of the island's interior, near the city of Nuwara Eliya, small groups of Veddas - descendants of the island's oldest population - have been preserved.

The official language of the country is Sinhala, which is spoken by more than 70% of the island's inhabitants. English is widely used (especially among the burghers). In the north and east of the country, Tamil is spoken. The bulk of the inhabitants (70%) profess Buddhism - mostly Sinhalese. Most of the Tamil population is Hindu. The Malays and Moors adhere to the Muslim religion. Catholic Christians are burghers and part of the Sinhalese population. The Veddas are adherents of a primitive religion. Among the population of Sri Lanka, religious beliefs and superstitions are strong, and there is a division into castes. There are about 20 castes in total.

Geography

"Lanka" in ancient Indian Sanskrit language means "country, land." The prefix "Sri", widely used in South Asia when addressing highly respected people, reflects the great love that the Sri Lankan people feel for their homeland. He calls her “blessed, venerable Lanka.” The island of Sri Lanka is located in South Asia. Occupying an area of ​​about 60 thousand sq. km, it is approximately equal to such large islands as Ireland or Tasmania. Its maximum length from north to south is 430 km, from west to east - 225 km.

The main part of the island (up to 4/5 of the entire area) is occupied by a low-lying plain (100 m above sea level). In some places, large rocks (up to 700 m) rise above the loose sedimentary rocks - protrusions of the crystalline foundation. They often have bizarre shapes, reminiscent of a huge animal, a giant book, or the ruins of an ancient temple. In the southern, most extended part of the island, the crystalline basement reaches the surface over a large area. Huge blocks of stone, raised to great heights, form the so-called Central Massif. The average height of the mountains is 1000–2000 m above sea level, but some peaks rise higher. The highest point of the island is Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m). However, the most famous is the majestic Adam's Peak (2243 m), reminiscent of a huge pyramid. The peaks of most mountains are leveled, which is why they are called table tops.

Kandy is one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka. A unique necklace of Kandy is the Mahaweli River with its shady banks.

In ancient times, deposits of precious stones were discovered in the mountains of Sri Lanka: rubies, sapphires, topazes, and amethysts. As the ancient chronicle “Mahavansa” testifies, many kings and sultans in other countries decorated their crowns with these stones. The abundance of rainfall led to the development of a dense network of rivers on the island. The rivers are short in length. The largest of them is the Mahaweli Ganga (meaning “river with sandy banks”), 330 km long. The length of the remaining rivers is 100–150 km. Most of them originate in the Massif Central mountains.

Climate

Sri Lanka is located near the equator. Its northern and central parts are located in the subequatorial, and the southern part - in the equatorial climatic zones. Therefore, the temperature here remains uniformly high all year round. Thus, in Colombo the average monthly temperature ranges from 26 °C (January) to 28 °C (May). Due to the proximity of the mainland, the north of the country is somewhat hotter than the south. The average annual temperature in mountainous areas is much lower, so mountainous areas are very popular among residents of the country and tourists. One of the coldest places on the island is the mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya (2000 m above sea level). This city is called “a piece of the north” on the island. The average annual temperature here is around 15 °C.

The seasons in Sri Lanka are determined not by changes in temperature conditions, but by differences in precipitation patterns. Their greatest number occurs in the summer - when moisture-rich southwestern monsoon winds dominate. The summer monsoon begins in May and subsides in September. At the height of the monsoon period, from June to August, it rains daily, often in torrential downpours. The southwestern part of the island is the most humid, being the first to meet the summer monsoon. In one summer month, 400–500 mm of precipitation falls. On the path of the monsoon to the northern and eastern regions, there is the Central Mountain Range, creating a “rain shadow” for these parts of the island. In this regard, the amount of precipitation there is low - on average only 10–40 mm per month. In winter, from December to February, the northeast monsoon dominates the island, bringing much less rainfall and irrigating mainly the northern and eastern parts of the island. Autumn and spring in Sri Lanka are inter-monsoon periods. There are no monsoon rains, but they are replaced by so-called zenithal rains, characteristic of equatorial regions.

Over 70% of the country's territory is covered with trees and shrubs. The most lush vegetation remains in the most humid southwestern region. There are still areas of evergreen tropical rainforest with a greenhouse atmosphere, where twilight and silence reign. In the forests of Sri Lanka you can see more than 40 types of palm trees: talipot, royal, coconut and others. Widespread woods are mango, bread, melon (papaya), ebony, satin, and sandalwood. Colossal tree ferns also grow on the island. Occasionally there are cinnamon trees, from the bark of which cinnamon is obtained. Some plants are distinguished by their amazing beauty during flowering, among them orchids and lotus - a sacred flower of followers of Buddhism and Hinduism.

The island's fauna is diverse. Wild elephants remain in the mountain forest wilds of the southwest. In Sri Lanka there are predators: panthers, leopards, wild cats, lynxes, jackals, bears. There are many monkeys in the forests, and often in the trees surrounding village huts. In large rivers, far from villages, there are crocodiles up to 8 m long, so swimming there is prohibited. The world of insects is rich. Large butterflies amaze with their unusually bright colors. The world of birds is diverse. Pink flamingos, white storks, colorful parrots, bright peacocks, and tiny sunbirds resembling butterflies are often found.

Story

The island of Sri Lanka was inhabited about 100 thousand years ago and constantly attracted more and more new settlers, thanks to which a significant number of representatives of the most dissimilar races, cultures and religions were concentrated on its small territory in ancient times. This enriched the island and led to constant conflicts and wars. In the 5th century BC, Indo-Aryan conquerors created the first state here, which collapsed in the 5th century AD and was conquered by the Negroid South Indian Tamil tribes. In the 8th century, dominance again passed to the Aryan branch of the newcomers, and in the 15th century, there were three kingdoms of different ethnicities in Sri Lanka, constantly at war with each other. The Portuguese colonialists took advantage of this, establishing their dominance over the coast of the island in the 16th century; they were replaced by the Dutch in the 17th century. The British who came after them in 1796 declared the conquered region to be another royal colony - Ceylon. But they managed to conquer the island only in the first half of the 19th century.

The heavy foreign yoke, which turned the flourishing island into a raw materials appendage of the distant metropolis, forced the local population to rise to the liberation struggle more than once and suffer bitter defeats. Exploitation, which intensified in connection with the First and Second World Wars and the acute economic crisis of the 1920s and 1930s, made the national patriotic front more decisive, numerous and united.

In 1948, the British government had to grant Ceylon independence as a dominion. In 1972, under public pressure, the island was proclaimed the Republic of Sri Lanka. All forms of political dependence on England were eliminated. Now this distant piece of land in the Indian Ocean good-naturedly reveals its secrets to all lovers of ancient exoticism and shares the gentle sun and warm water.

Natural attractions

The most picturesque interior regions of the country with its mountain rivers, waterfalls, and impenetrable jungles. Situated in the Central Highlands, Adam's Peak is a sacred place for people of various faiths. Numerous pilgrims and tourists flock here every year to worship the notch in the mountain, which resembles the footprint of a huge human foot (Buddhists consider it the footprint of Buddha, Christians - Adam, and Hindus believe that the god Shiva was at the top). The nearby gemstone mining sites are very popular. Jewelry collections can be seen in the National Museum and private museums in the nearby town of Ratnapura.

Sri Lanka. The majestic Adam's Peak (2243 m), reminiscent of a huge pyramid, is the sacred mountain of the Sri Lankans. The footprints of Buddha are preserved here.

In the central part of the island is the majestic Mount Pidurutalagala. This rocky peak is located near Nuwara Eliya. The nearby city of Kandy, lying between the hills, is surrounded by the wide Mahaweli Ganga. On the banks of this river, in Peradeniya, lies the largest botanical garden in Asia. Palm alleys and a huge number of different types of tropical vegetation (about a thousand species of orchids alone) attract not only tourists, but also scientists from around the world. 10 km southeast of Nuwara Eliya (at an altitude of 1680 m) is located the equally famous Hakgala Park - a wonderful collection of the world's subtropical flora. The Henarasgoda Botanical Garden, 32 km from Colombo, houses an extensive collection of exotic palms, trees and shrubs.

Colombo. Hindu temple.

Wildlife can be seen and photographed in numerous national parks - Yaala, Wilpattu, Gal Oya, Uda Walawe, Maduru Oya, Wasgamuwa, Horton Plains and Bundala. Each park has its own specifics. The amazing underwater world of the tropical seas will open in Galle, where the famous underwater coral gardens are located. In the lagoon near the city of Batticaloa there is a very rare “singing fish”: on moonlit nights, thin, light sounds are heard from the water, reminiscent of the sound of a crystal glass, along the edge of which you run your finger. In the north of Sri Lanka there is a magnificent palmyra landscape of the Jaffna Peninsula. Not far from Jaffna there is a coral archipelago. The most famous island of this archipelago is Nainativu. Sinhalese Buddhists believe that it was this island that Buddha first entered on his way to Ceylon while walking across Adam’s Bridge.

All over the country you can find spice gardens - farms for growing spices. Ceylon has long been famous for its spices and medicinal herbs. They are used in the food industry, medical and cosmetic purposes. Cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, several varieties of pepper, ginger, vanilla - this is not a complete list of Ceylon spices.

Yala National Park is located in the southeast of the island, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. When these deputies were part of the state of Ruhuna. All that remained of his might were the ruins of ancient fortresses and monasteries. The nature of the park is a dry savannah, overgrown with bushes and umbrella plants. Occasionally there are small lakes overgrown with lush vegetation. The flat landscape is broken up by numerous hills and mounds. The park's territory covers more than 100 thousand hectares.

Yala is considered one of the best places to observe the life of leopards. Here you can often find bears, deer, and wild boars; many small animals - gray langurs, monitor lizards, sea and land turtles. The pride of Yalu is its feathered inhabitants: black-necked stork, ibises, herons, jacanas. The park offers excursions in jeeps and tent camps where you can stay for several days.

Uda-Walawe National Park is located on the banks of a reservoir south of the mountain ranges in the center of the country. Part of the park is occupied by tropical forest, where you can meet sika deer, sambar, wild boar, leopards, and bears. Uda Walawe is the best place to observe the life of elephants in natural conditions. In total, up to five hundred elephants live here, and there are herds of up to fifty of these animals. Bundala Park is located on the southern coast of Ceylon, in the middle of a savannah with many lagoons and lakes. The park is famous for its abundance of water birds.

The Sindharaja Tropical Rain Forest is one of the few places where primary rain forests have not yet been destroyed by humans. Sindharaja can be translated into Russian as “The Lion King”. This forest is a paradise for bird watchers. In an area of ​​22 thousand hectares, 22 of Ceylon's 26 endemic birds are found. The rare black panther, many spotted deer, wild boars, langurs, mongooses, and chameleons also live here.

Sri Lanka. Elephant nursery.

Culture

Sri Lanka. The picturesque Mount Sigiriya is a giant monolith rock.

One of the most striking attractions of the island is the Sigiriya fortress, located 162 km from Colombo. The citadel with the palace ensemble rose on the 180-meter red Lion Rock fifteen centuries ago. Its builder was King Kassala. Here, on the inner walls of the caves, you can see rock paintings made with natural paints. The Sigiriya murals, famous throughout the world, are outstanding examples of ancient Sinhalese painting.

Kandy. Temple of Dalada Magilawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic).

In the city of Kandy, attention is drawn to the ancient palace of the Sinhalese sovereigns, as well as the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, where the corresponding shrine is kept. According to legend, the Tooth was found in India on a lotus flower. Some rituals associated with the Tooth Relic have developed into lavish festivals. This is the Esala Perahera temple procession, which is held annually in August, on the full moon days. Just north of Kandy is the town of Aluvihara, where the words of Buddha were first written down on palm leaves.

Kandy. At the temple.

Anuradhapura. Temple wall in the ancient capital of Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura is a city of monasteries and stupas, an open-air museum, a sacred place for Buddhists not only in Sri Lanka, but also in other countries. Many ancient monuments have been preserved in Anuradhapura. In the center of the city stands the majestic Ruvanavelli Dagoba. Built in the 2nd century BC, it is a masterpiece of Sri Lankan architecture. Even in a whole day it is difficult to get around this entire open-air monument. Ruvanavelli is rivaled by the majestic dagobas of Jetavana and Thuparama. Under King Pandukabhai, a grandiose irrigation system with giant reservoirs and numerous canals was built in Anuradhapura. This chain of reservoirs was called Anuradha, and the city on its banks was called Anuradhapura. The city became the center for the spread of Buddhism on the island. In 380 BC, Pandukabkaya proclaimed Anuradhapura as the capital of the first Sinhalese state and the city remained in this capacity for 1,400 years. Thousands of pilgrims visit the city's holy places - the Bo tree and the seven dagobas. The sacred Bo (Buddha) tree is located in the courtyard of one of the temples, behind a golden fence. It supposedly grew from a branch, the same tree under which enlightenment descended on Buddha. According to legend, this branch was brought to Ceylon from India in the 3rd century BC.

Abhayagiri Monastery is the largest of the monastic complexes of Anuradhapura, built in the 1st century BC. Dagoba Abhayagiri was the second largest stupa (115 m) in the world. It is built over the footprint of Buddha. The Et Pokuna pool, which once supplied water to most of the monastery complex, has been restored here.

Sri Lanka. Ruins of Polonnaruwa - the capital of the second Sinhalese state.

Not far from Anuradhapura, in Polonnaruwa lie the ruins of the medieval capital of the Sinhalese state. Here you can see the remains of a palace that once shone with splendor. The best preserved temple is the beautiful Vatadage Temple. In the northern part of Polonnaruwa there is the largest sculptural ensemble of the area - three huge statues of Buddha carved into the rocks in various poses. The Parakrama Samudraya reservoir, created nearby, is larger in area than the port of Colombo.

Mihintale is a rock that became the site of the beginning of the spread of Buddhism on the island of Ceylon. At the foot there are the remains of ancient Buddhist buildings. is considered. At the top of Mihintale there is a stupa and a statue of Buddha. 150 km from Colombo and 20 km from Sigiriya is the Dambulla cave temple - the largest in Ceylon. For many centuries, this temple has been a stronghold of Buddhism and Sri Lankan identity. Its foundation dates back to the 1st century BC. The temple was built at an altitude of 350 meters and consists of five caves. In 1938, the temple was supplemented with columns and arched entrances. There is a huge collection of Buddha statues here, many of which are more than two thousand years old.

Another place closely associated with Buddhism is Adam's Peak or Mount Sri Pada (2224 m). Tens of thousands of Buddhist devotees climb the mountain to touch the sacred footprint of Buddha with their lips. This mountain is associated with the name of the forefather Adam and it is considered sacred by followers of all world religions.

Polonnaruwa. Seated Buddha from the Gal Vihara cave temple.

Polonnaruwa. In front of the four entrances of the Watadage Temple lie semicircular slabs with intricate designs, the so-called “moon stones”.

Polonnaruwa. Rankot Dagoba.

Cities

Sri Lanka. Halle. Old city.

Sri Lanka. Halle. Lighthouse.

The name of the city Galle is related to the Sinhala word for "inn". During the heyday of sailing, Galle was the main port of the island. At the entrance to the port, the Dutch built a military fortress, which has survived to this day. Above the gate, a shield is carved in stone with the monogram of the East India Company - images of two lions and a rooster. Galle is famous for many ancient crafts, in particular the weaving of fine lace. The city, distinguished by its unique combination of vibrant tropical nature and ancient architecture, attracts many tourists.

Sri Lanka. Halle. Coast.

Sri Lanka. Halle. Dutch Church.

Ratnapura is the center of jewelry production and trade in precious stones. The name of the city translated from Sinhala means “city of gems”. Ratnapura sapphires, rubies, and aquamarines are highly valued by jewelers all over the world. The Blue Beauty of Asia sapphire (400 carats) and the Star of India sapphire (536 carats) were found here. There is a museum of jewelry art in the city.

Sri Lanka. Ratnapura. Buddha statue.

Jaffna is the historical center of the northern Tamil region and the administrative center of the province, one of the largest cities in the country (over 100 thousand inhabitants) is located in its northernmost part, which is connected to the main territory of the island by a narrow strip of land, as well as an artificial dam. Perhaps this is the hottest city in Sri Lanka. In the recent past, the city was one of the trading bases of the Dutch East India Company. From those times, the ruins of the fort have been preserved here. From a distance you can see the Catholic Church, built in the early 18th century. Jaffna is an important trade and transport center and a major center of Tamil culture. The city's artisans are famous for their filigree jewelry, weaving mats, baskets and other products.

Resorts

For tourists from Western Europe, North America and other regions, Sri Lanka serves as a winter resort. In coastal areas, water sports tourism predominates; the ancient Sinhalese capitals are the base of historical and cultural tourism. Mountain resorts and national parks attract many lovers of wildlife, safaris, and scuba diving. But no matter how attractive the golden seaside beaches are, in Sri Lanka it is not customary to swim in any place you like: powerful ocean currents, some fish, and sea animals are dangerous. For swimming they usually go to the southern suburbs, to Colombo-Mount Lavinia, Hikkaduwa or Rassekudahu.

The mountain rivers of Sri Lanka, with the exception of periods of drought, are suitable for rafting and kayaking. The Kelani River in the Kitulgala region is most suitable for rafting. The ocean wave, in favorable weather conditions, allows surfing and windsurfing. The island is also interesting for diving enthusiasts. There are about 138 species of corals in the waters of Sri Lanka, including black coral. There are coral heads, soft corals, and many gorgonians - green, orange, red, blue. But the main wealth of the underwater world of Sri Lanka is its fauna - angel fish, moray eels, barracudas, moray eels, Moorish idols, parrot fish, clown fish, lion fish, marlin, flounder, sweetlips, silver and brown snappers, soldier fish , bristletooths, damselfishes, stingrays, surgeonfish, eels. Divers can also explore sunken ships, which are especially numerous in the Hikkaduwa area. About twenty wrecks from the 19th and 20th centuries are open to divers.

Not far from the city of Kandy is the resort of Nuwara Eliya. It is located at an altitude of 1880 m above sea level, at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala, the highest in Ceylon. The resort is built with hotel buildings in the British colonial style. The buildings are framed by lush greenery and bright flowers. The resort attracts the top of the local society and numerous tourists. Victoria Park is located in the center of Navara Elia. To the south of the park there is a hippodrome. Lake Gregory is one of the resort's attractions.

Bentota Resort is located 64 km south of Colombo, on the west coast of the island. Here, in a picturesque place where the river flows into the sea, several hotels have been built, surrounded by a palm forest. There is a train station, a post office, a shopping arcade, cafeterias and an open-air theater where folk dance groups perform. Beruwela resort is located near Bentota.

Kalkudah resort is located on the east coast, 32 km from Batticaloa. This is an ideal place for swimming, as the beach on the sea side is protected by a reef. Nearby Passekudah has a beautiful bay with absolutely clear water. It is also a popular tourist destination with modern hotels and a variety of amenities. Five species of sea turtles are found in the Kozgod area. To maintain their population, turtle farms have been organized.

Where is Sri Lanka on the world map? The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is located in South Asia off the southeastern coast of Hindustan. The central part of the island is occupied by mountains, but most of the country is lowlands.

I would like to say that this is an island, which means you can either fly or swim here. We bring to your attention an article that tells you how long it takes to fly to Sri Lanka from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities.

A detailed map of the coast of Sri Lanka in Russian in search engines shows that the country is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka is separated from Hindustan by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait. Previously, the island was connected to the mainland by Adam's Bridge, which was destroyed during an earthquake in 1841.

Although the island of Ceylon is quite exotic for tourism, but on the map of Sri Lanka with the resorts of Unawatuna, Koggala boasts of its most popular resort areas in the country, where travelers come in search of unique beaches and historical attractions. The most popular cities are also Moratuwa and Galle, and the mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya.