The island of Sri Lanka is located. Sri Lanka - Read about Sri Lanka before visiting the island. Tsunami in Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka (until 1972 the island was called in the European manner - Ceylon) is a large island in the Indian Ocean southeast of the Hindustan Peninsula. The name of the island comes from Sanskrit, from where it is translated as “Blessed Land”.

The island of Sri Lanka is separated from Hindustan by the Palk Strait and the bay of the same name, as well as the Gulf of Manara. In the north and east, Sri Lanka is washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal. According to scientists, until about the 15th century, Sri Lanka was connected to Hindustan by a narrow isthmus, but after the strongest in about 1481, this isthmus was fragmented into a ridge of small islands - Adam's Bridge.

The total area of ​​the island of Sri Lanka exceeds 65 thousand square kilometers.

The island of Sri Lanka is quite massive in area, so its geographical coordinates are usually determined by its approximate center: 7°37′ N. w. 80°46′ E. d.

At the moment, the island of Sri Lanka is part of the territorial composition of the state of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Tourism.

A holiday in Sri Lanka will be a well-deserved vacation after a hard year spent in work and worries. Sri Lanka is not just memories of Ceylon tea and the warm sea, it is a unique world of wonders in which every person would like to live. But if you were born in another country, this is not a reason to be upset, because there is an opportunity to visit this island, where there is a huge diversity of cultures, where climatic conditions seem to attract tourists from all over the world.

What can travelers remember about Sri Lanka? Firstly, these are endless holidays. It seems that local residents live only for the sake of the next celebration. But it’s really interesting to watch - solemn processions, parades, masquerades, competitions and fun. People are dressed in national costumes, music is playing everywhere, thousands of people and even elephants, who are also dressed in original outfits, walk along the city streets.

Where to go? Tours to Colombo are especially popular. Here you have the opportunity to see a huge number of cathedrals, temples and mosques. All the cultures of the world have merged in this city. It is recommended to visit this city from November to May; this time is most favorable for vacationers.

Colombo International Airport is located relatively close to the city center. You can order a taxi or get to the center by bus. You can use the same vehicle to move around the city. Some require payment based on the distance you travel, others accept money by agreement before the trip.

If finances allow, it is preferable to travel by taxi. This type of transport is equipped with meters, so do not be afraid that you will have to overpay money out of your own pocket.

It is recommended to immediately go to the business center of the city. This is an excellent area where you can see the Presidential Palace, amazing gardens, parks, the National Museum and Art Gallery. Numerous offices and modern buildings only emphasize the ideal beauty of Colombo.

In Sri Lanka you can find something to suit your taste. This even applies to national cuisine. It is so diverse that any traveler will discover his favorite dish.

The locals are friendly, but you should be careful when coming to the beach. Topless sunbathing is prohibited by law here, but at the entrance to the temple you must remove not only your headdress, but also your shoes.

This is a truly unique country with its own characteristics and advantages, which make you want to return here just a few days after you leave Sri Lanka.

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 Sinhala 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 Sinhala 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.

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.

Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648 people.
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.

In the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, not far from the coast of India, there is a small island shaped like a drop.

Everyone has heard about it at least once, and every day they probably enjoy its gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but his “nickname” Ceylon is heard by many. This is Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka is separated from the Hindustan Peninsula by the narrow Palk Strait.

The people of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankans.

At the beginning of the 19th century. the island was a colony (dependent territory) of Great Britain and was called Ceylon, and in 1972 it became independent and received a new name - Sri Lanka, which means “blessed land” in Sinhala.

Due to former British rule, almost everyone speaks English in Sri Lanka today. Only he is not quite familiar. Often, a resident of the British Isles or the USA will not fully understand a Sri Lankan, although both will communicate in the same language. This is because local residents add a lot of “their” words to their speech.

The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It features a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is the symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean the few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the predominant Buddhists on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 leaves of paipula, a tree sacred to Buddhists.

Sri Lanka is an island of precious stones. In its depths are rubies, garnets, moonstone, and amethysts. But the “king” of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. A Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!

As in other Asian countries, motorized pedicabs are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "knock-knock". This is the only safe means of transportation, since it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Local residents do not follow traffic rules. They can stop their vehicle whenever and wherever they want just to let a cow pass or go out to say hello to an acquaintance whom they suddenly saw on the street...

This is interesting!
Taking Sri Lankan rupees abroad, even as a souvenir, is prohibited by law.

An umbrella in Sri Lanka is not a means of keeping out the rain, but the main protection from the sun. It won’t save you from the downpours that happen here, but it won’t save you from the hot sun without an umbrella. That's why umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.

In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. In this way, Sri Lankans maintain hygiene, and there is no need to wash dishes after eating.

One state - two capitals

The small state of Sri Lanka can boast that it has not one capital, but two! This is the large metropolis of Colombo and the little-known town with the complex name of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. The first houses the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second houses the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.

Colombo means “mangrove harbour” in Sinhala. The city is indeed located in an area with many mangroves. But there is another version of the name. It is believed that the Portuguese, who conquered Sri Lanka in the past, could have named the city this way in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.

Colombo is the largest city on the island and the largest port in Sri Lanka. It's noisy and crowded here all the time, the streets are filled with cars and tuk-tuks. Colombo is the only city in Sri Lanka where there are high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. And only here temples belonging to representatives of three religions at once coexist safely - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Its highlights are the Orchid House and the Spice Garden. The world's rarest species of these plants grow in the Orchid House. And in the Spice Garden all the aromatic plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper, and the queen is cinnamon. It is thanks to the huge amount of spices that the island was interesting for many European countries. Their rulers always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, and ginger, which had no equal in the world.

Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte is a town in the suburbs of Colombo. When at the beginning of the 16th century. Envoys of the Portuguese king arrived on the island, the guides managed to stretch the five-kilometer route between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day hike around the entire island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression “to go to Kotte” for modern Sri Lankans means “to take a roundabout route.”

The city of Colombo was the capital during the domination of Ceylon by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. When the state became independent, the city of Kotte received the capital function.

Today Kotte is a beautiful, quiet town with many universities and colleges. The Sri Lankan Parliament sits here. A luxurious building was specially built for him in the center of the city lake. Various festivals and fun carnivals are often held on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants - the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka - always take part.

Elephant City

In the past, elephants were the main transport in Sri Lanka. They transported people and cargo in the mountains and jungles. Today this is done by tractors and trucks, but the elephant is still the main animal and symbol of the island.

The Sri Lankan elephant is different from its African brother. The inhabitants of the hot continent are larger, their ears are of a different shape and they always have powerful tusks. Among Sri Lankan elephants, tusks can be seen on about one in 20 animals.

An elephant lives as long as a person - 70-80 years. An adult animal weighs about 5 tons. He needs 250 kg of reed or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water per day.

For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But Sri Lankans think differently. They consider giants a natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are shot... by farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can destroy an entire village! The giants are not stopped by either fences or traps, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and “clueless” than their African relatives.

There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where elephants left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants live. By the way, the oldest animal here is more than 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is given warm milk from the nipple to make him stronger and feel good.

Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed in special mask costumes and decorated with jewelry.

Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they “work off” their care and maintenance by giving tourists rides on their backs. This is the most popular attraction among visitors and the main business of local residents. Before riding, the elephant is saddled. This is done only for the sake of tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. Maintaining balance while riding is very difficult, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. Traveling on horseback, you become convinced that the elephant seems clumsy only from the outside. Despite its impressive weight, it moves almost silently. Usually an elephant walks at walking speed, but if necessary, giants can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

An elephant that has worked up an appetite during the trip must be thanked. The best way to do this is to feed him bananas, the elephant's favorite dessert.

The fauna of Sri Lanka is very diverse. Animals and birds on the island feel free, they are not afraid of humans and live next to him.

Based on materials

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 clearly shows 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.