Map of Sri Lanka with resorts in Russian. New map. Sri Lanka - attractions on the map, what to see in Sri Lanka Tsunami in Sri Lanka

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

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

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

See where Sri Lanka is located on the world map:

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

1. Dambulla Cave Temples

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

2. Anuradhapura

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

3. Adam's Peak

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

4. Galle

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

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

5. Kandy

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

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

6. Sigiriya

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

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

7. Trincomalee

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

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

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

8. Horton Plains National Park

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

Video about Sri Lanka:

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 on the world map

Sri Lanka is a country located on the island of the same name. The island is located off the southeastern coast of Hindustan. The shores are washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. The relief is mainly represented by lowlands. However, in the central part you can find mountains exceeding a height of two and a half thousand meters. The climate in Sri Lanka is monsoonal, subequatorial.

Map of Sri Lanka from satellite from Bing
(Use the + and – icons to change the scale of the map, and the mouse to move the map in different directions)

Sri Lanka on the world map

The vast majority of the population are Sinhalese, about 18% are Tamils. In addition, a significant percentage of the population consists of people who are descendants of Arabs and those born from marriages with Europeans. In addition, the indigenous population of the island, called the Vedas, remained. Their number now amounts to only about 1,000 people.

Sri Lanka detailed interactive map

Map of Sri Lanka in Russian

The country has a well-developed tourism business. Particularly popular, of course, are resort towns located by the sea, as well as historical attractions. Also, if you wish, you can visit a mountain resort, tea plantations, Buddhist monuments and national parks of Sri Lanka.

The nature of Sri Lanka is rightfully considered one of the most vibrant and diverse. The country is home to a huge number of flowering plants and 8 types of forests. Sri Lankan cuisine is mainly represented by a large number of spices, herbs, tropical fruits and, of course, a wide variety of fish obtained from the Indian Ocean.

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If you decide to visit Sevastopol, then, of course, comfortable hotels in Crimea are at your service. It is important to have detailed information about your place of residence so as not to be caught at the last moment while standing on the streets of an unfamiliar city.

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

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

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Geographical location

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

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

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

Brief information about the country

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

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

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

• Portuguese;
• Dutch;
• English.

Capital

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

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

Languages

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

Visa

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

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

Population

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

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

Religion

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

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

Sea and ocean

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

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

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

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

Currency

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

Transport

Sri Lanka has a fairly developed ground transport infrastructure:

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

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

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

Difference in time

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

What to bring

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

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

Therefore, you should bring from your trip:

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

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

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

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

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

Climate

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

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

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

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

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

How to get there

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

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

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

• Beijing;
• Seoul;

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

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

Resorts

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

Negombo

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

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

Colombo

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

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

Bentota

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

Kalutara

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

Aimed at lovers of active recreation and water sports.

Halle

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

Induruwa

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

Unawatuna

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

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

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

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

Mirissa - the best beach

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

Surf paradise

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

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

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

Shopping

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tips

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

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

Kitchen

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

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

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

Flora and fauna

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

More than half of the species are threatened with extinction:

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

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

Scammers on the island

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

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

Attractions

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

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

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

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

tour cost

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

SRI LANKA

(Republic of Sri Lanka)

General information

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

Square. The territory of Sri Lanka occupies 65,610 square meters. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. Capitals - Sri Jayawardanapura (administrative), Colombo. Largest cities: Colombo (616 thousand people), Dehiwa-la-Mount Lavinya (196 thousand people), Jaffna (129 thousand people), Sri Jayawardanapura (109 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 25 districts.

Political system

Sri Lanka Republic. The head of state is the president, the head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is parliament.

Relief. There is a mountain range in the central part of Sri Lanka. There is the highest point of the country - Mount Pidurutalagala (2,524 m). Nearby there are two plains with a relatively cool climate.

The famous Ceylon tea is grown in the valleys.

Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of diamonds, other precious stones, phosphates, granite, and marble.

Climate. The country's climate is generally hot and humid, but the mountainous areas are cool. The average annual temperature in the valleys is about +32°C, in the mountainous areas - about +21°C.

Inland waters. The country's rivers are short and fast. The longest river, the Mahaveli Ganga, flows into the Indian Ocean near the city of Trincomalee; other rivers include Kelani, Kalu and Aruvi Aru.

Soils and vegetation. Dense jungles occupy large areas in the southwest of the country. The mountain slopes are also covered with forests. Various palm trees and mangroves grow in coastal areas. In the so-called wet zone of the country there is a lot of mahogany and several species of rubber and fruit trees. In the dry zone, ebony and satinwood are more common. Almost throughout the country, orchids, hyacinths, acacias, eucalyptus trees, and cypresses grow in large quantities.

Animal world. Representatives of the fauna include the cheetah, leopard, several species of monkeys, elephant, and a large number of different species of birds and insects.

Population and language

The country's population is about 18.933 million people, the average population density is about 289 people per 1 sq. km. Ethnic groups: Sinhalese (Sinhalese) - 74%, Tamils ​​(Indian and Sri Lankan) - 18%, Moors (Arabs) - 7%, Burgers (Dutch), Malays, Veddas. Languages: Sinhala, Tamil (both official), English, Dravidian.

Religion

Buddhists - 69%, Hindus - 15%, Christians - 8%, Muslims - 8%.

Brief historical sketch

According to Hindu legend, most of Sri Lanka was conquered in ancient times by Ramachandra, who was the seventh reincarnation of the god Vishnu. The written history of the country is chronicled in the Mahavamsa. It was started in the 6th century. and was conducted by Buddhist monks until 1815. According to the chronicle, the island in 504 BC. e. was conquered by the Indian prince Vijaya, whose descendants ruled Sri Lanka, then called Singala, for several centuries. From the end of the 3rd century. n. e. until the middle of the 12th century. Sinhala was dominated by Tamil kings and other invaders from south India.

At the beginning of the 15th century. The island was occupied by Chinese troops, and Singala was divided into several small states. In 1517, the Portuguese, having established friendly relations with one of the local rulers, built a fort in Colombo. Their influence grew, and by the end of the 16th century. The Portuguese controlled quite a large area of ​​the island. In 1638-1639 The Dutch captured almost the entire island by force and it was under their influence until 1796, when the island actually came under British control.

In 1798, the entire territory of the island, with the exception of the kingdom of Kandy, became a royal British colony. In 1803, Britain also occupied the kingdom of Kandy, and in 1815 annexed it to the royal colony. On February 4, 1948, the colony became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. At that time the country was called Ceylon. On May 22, 1972, the country received the name Republic of Sri Lanka. Since 1983, there has been a civil war in the state with the Tamils ​​demanding autonomy, even to the point of secession. At the end of 1995, government troops carried out a successful operation against the Tamils, capturing the province of Jaffna, which was under rebel control. However, the war did not stop.

Brief Economic Sketch

Sri Lanka is an agricultural country with a developed plantation economy. The economy remains dependent on foreign, mainly English, capital and the foreign market. The role of the public sector is increasing. The basis of the economy is the production for export of tea (one of the first places in the world), rubber and coconut palm products. Food crop - rice. Cattle are used mainly for draft purposes. Fishing. Mining of graphite, precious stones, salt. Industry: processing of agricultural raw materials, light, food. Export: tea, rubber, coconut palm products.

The monetary unit is the Sri Lankan rupee.

Brief sketch of culture

Art and architecture. Kandy. Rock with footprints of Buddha; Temple of the Tooth, where Buddha's tooth is kept. Anuradhapura. The "Bo" tree grew from the branch of the tree under which the Buddha was resting when the blessing came upon him. Colombo, Kandy, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Galle, Trincomalee. Museums with collections of historical exhibits.