Where is Sri Lanka located? Where is Sri Lanka on the map? Origin of the island of Sri Lanka

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia, better known as Ceylon, located off the southeastern coast of the Hindustan Peninsula. The capital is the city of Colombo.

Location and parameters of the island

Perhaps not every person knows where Sri Lanka is located on the world map. The country is located in the Indian Ocean on the island of Ceylon with coordinates: 79 degrees east longitude and 6 degrees north latitude. Discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1506.

Like some other South Asian states, the country was a colony. The island was owned by Portugal, Holland and England. The state gained its independence in 1948 under the name Ceylon, and in 1972 the country became known as Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is separated from the Asian continent by the Gulf of Manara, about 50 kilometers wide.

The island has the following parameters:

• area is 65,600 square kilometers;
• length from south to north 445 kilometers;
• length from east to west 220 kilometers;
• The length of the coastline is 1350 kilometers.

The northernmost point of Sri Lanka is Cape Pedro, the southernmost is the lighthouse in the village of Dondra.

In ancient times, the island of Ceylon was connected to Hindustan by a land bridge, but at the end of the 15th century, as a result of an earthquake, it lost land connections with the Asian mainland. The island itself, shaped like an egg, was called a pearl, a tear, “Sapphire Island.”

Flora and fauna

The island of Sri Lanka has a diverse flora and fauna. More than 250 species of birds are permanent inhabitants of the island, about 200 species of birds are migratory from Europe, Siberia, and Scandinavian countries, wintering here. In spring, about 250 species of butterflies migrate here.

The fauna of Ceylon is also diverse, representatives of which are:

• buffalos;
• wild boars;
• deer;
• jackals;
• the Bears;
• foxes;
• porcupines;
• elephants;
• monkey.

More than 70 species of reptiles thrive on the island, including crocodiles, snakes, and turtles.

Diverse world and flora in Sri Lanka. More than 3,000 species of all kinds of plants grow here, including ferns, orchids, and medicinal herbs.

The island contains nature reserves, national parks and reservations that preserve unique nature.

A country's economy

Sri Lanka is a multinational country. The population reaches 20 million people. The main nationalities living on the island are Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burgers. All of them create the country's economy with their labor.

The island of Ceylon, where Sri Lanka is located, accounts for 10% of all tea produced in the world. The country ranks third in the world in this indicator after India and China. The production of precious stones, cinnamon, and rubber is also very developed here. And although the main industrial sector of the island is textiles, due to the abolition of quotas on clothing imports, local products have been replaced by Chinese ones.

The main economic center is the port of Colombo.

Sri Lanka's main export products are:

• cloth;
• precious stones: sapphires, emeralds, rubies;
• rubber;
• coconuts;
• fish;
• textile.

The country imports food, oil, transport, and industrial equipment.

Leisure and tourism

Recreation and tourism play an increasingly important role in the country's economy. The whole world knows the place where Sri Lanka is located, because the island is known as a seaside resort recreation center. There are also religious and historical Buddhist monuments here. Vacationers can visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in the ancient capital of Sri Lanka - the city of Kandy.

Where Sri Lanka is located, there is no bustle or city noise. There is only nature and the sea here. The main entertainments for vacationers are:

• underwater diving;
• picnic in nature;
• fishing;
• cricket.

Resorts Sri Lanka

People planning to spend their current holiday on the island of Sri Lanka should know the positive aspects of choosing resorts in the country. These include:

• convenient and acceptable location of resorts to the airport;
• exotic nature;
• compact location of resorts along the coastline, making it possible to visit them by public transport;
• climatic favorability.

The list of resorts in Sri Lanka is quite large. We list those that are most in demand among tourists:

• Beruwela;
• Mount Lavinya;
• Tangale;
• Kalutara;
• Bentota;
• Hikaduwa;
• Kosgoda;
• Mirissa;
• Unawantuna;
• Hambantota;
• Dikwela.

Resorts Sri Lanka. How to get there? Each of the above island resorts can be reached from the airport by regular public transport in two to three hours. When choosing, be sure to take into account: the presence of underwater currents and wave heights. Where Sri Lanka is located is the subequatorial monsoon, which brings the heaviest rain from May to October. Therefore, it is important to decide on a temporary rest period. It is also recommended to have both a map of the country of Sri Lanka itself and a tourist map of the island, which shows the main attractions.

“Sri Lanka is a unique world where, in a small area, there is such a diversity of cultures, landscapes and climatic zones that you cannot find even in countries whose territory is ten times larger.”

Sir Arthur Clarke

Autumn has come. The rays of the last autumn sun are flickering outside the windows, and everyone begins to think about how to extend their summer. Many of you will soon be chasing the warm rays. However, this raises the question “where?”
The answer is obvious. We are all going to Sri Lanka, the land of eternal summer, located near the equator. You will ask why"? There are many reasons, because in Sri Lanka everyone can find something to their liking.

Ceylon Island: 10 reasons to holiday in Sri Lanka

1. Meet the amazing, unique, diverse climate.

In 3 – 4 days of travel you can feel tropics on the coast Indian Ocean, enjoying the sun on endless sandy beaches, see ancient shrines of Buddhism and the oldest Bodhi tree, which is more than 2250 years old, to perform south african safari by jeep in a national reserve, enjoy the temperate climate of the central part of the island, admire the waterfalls and feel the coolness of the highlands, where the best famous Ceylon tea grows on fog-shrouded plantations.
Sri Lanka has the largest number of waterfalls relative to its land area than any country in the world.

2. Meet smiling faces and feel Sri Lankan hospitality, about which there are legends.

Sri Lankan hospitality is renowned throughout the world. People are friendly and ready to help those who are not familiar with local customs. Sri Lankans are very hospitable and are happy to invite people into their homes, no matter how humble they are. At first, it will seem unusual that everyone around you is smiling. However, after you return from your trip, the smiles of the island's residents, coming from the heart, will warm you in cold times.
Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic society, the result of several waves of immigration. The main ethnic groups are Tamils ​​and Sinhalese. Muslims, Malays and Chinese also live here. The Portuguese and British brought with them Kaffirs from Africa, and the Dutch brought a special type of European traders - burghers.

3. Admire the rich cultural heritage civilization with a 2000-year history.

The richness of Sri Lanka's culture has been recognized by UNESCO, which has declared 6 of the country's archaeological sites as World Heritage Sites:

• Holy City Anuradhapura(4th century BC) - the first ancient capital
• Ancient city Polonnaruwa(10th century AD) – second ancient capital
• Golden Cave temple in Dambulla(1st century BC)
• Lion fortress on the rock Sigiriya(5th century AD)
• Holy City Kandy(17th century AD) – last royal capital
• Old City Halle and him fortress(17th century AD)

The seventh World Heritage Site is an ecological reserve - Sinharaja tropical rainforest, the jungle of which is officially one of the 34 most unique places on the planet in terms of its biodiversity.
Visiting the area called the “Cultural Triangle” , travelers can see huge dagobas(domed structures or stupas) and the remains of ancient buildings in the ruins of the cities of Anuradhapurai Polonnaruwa, climb the amazing stairs to the Dambulla Temple , behold sensual frescoes with the image of girls of divine beauty on the Sigiriya rock.
In the central part of the country is the last royal capital, the city of Kandy, considered the cultural center of the island and where it is located Dalada Maligawa Temple or the Temple of the Tooth, where it is kept sacred tooth of Buddha.
Galle Fort, with its 14 massive fortifications, regular streets and original Dutch-style single-storey houses, is as bustling with life as it was in the Middle Ages.

4. Feel the pulsating energy national holidays and festivals.

The diverse civilization of Sri Lanka has endowed the island with a stunning cultural heritage of colorful festivals related to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
For every full moon there is a holiday Singing. The most important of holidays, Vesak, Full moon day in May, which celebrates the birth of Buddha, his enlightenment and death.
The festival that attracts the most attention from tourists visiting Sri Lanka is Kandy Esala Perahera held in Kandy for 10 days in late July or early August . Among the Hindu festivals, it is worth noting Vel, held in Colombo in July, and festival in Kataragama on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, during which a torchlight procession is held. Hindus also celebrate Thai Pongal("harvest festival") Maha Shivaratri(“Great Night of Shiva”), the most important festival of the year for followers of the god Shiva, who are in the majority among Hindus in Sri Lanka, and Deepavali(“Festival of Lights”).
Lankan New Year, usually falling in mid-April, is a non-religious holiday that is celebrated by the entire population of the island, regardless of their religion.

5. Meet someone unique diversity of wildlife.

Thanks to the influence of Buddhism, which calls for honoring all living things, Sri Lanka pays great attention to environmental protection. In total, on the island there is 12 national parks and 52 nature reserves, occupying 14% of the total area of ​​Sri Lanka.
A safari in the national park gives you the opportunity to see 91 species of mammals (including 16 that live only in this region) - elephants, leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, sika deer, wild pigs, mouse and barking deer, wild boars, porcupines, anteaters, civet cats (a genus of wild cats), lemurs, giant squirrels, monkeys(including macaques, langurs gray and with pimples on the face).
National Park Yala considered the place of greatest concentration leopards in the world. National Park Uda Walawe famous for its huge population elephants.
Sri Lanka is one of the best places on earth to observe blue whales And. Sperm whales, killer whales, pilot whales and dolphins also regularly encountered during trips along the coast of Mirissa (southern coast of the island). On the beaches of the island you can often see turtles seven varieties.
The island is a paradise for those who love to watch birds. 233 species live here (33 endemic) - the number of bird species, taking into account migration, increases to 482. There are 171 species on the island reptiles(101 of them, including two species of crocodiles, are found only here), 244 species butterflies and 120 species dragonflies.

6. Replenish the lack of adrenaline adventures and active sports.

An island with a coastline of 1,340 km. is the ideal place for windsurfing, water skiing, jet skis, surfing, sailing, scuba diving(including diving on sunken ships), snorkeling, speed boats, and banana boat rides. The best places for water sports are located on the west coast - in the Negombo region ; on the southwest coast - in Wadduwa, Kalutara and Beruwella; and also in Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Koggala, Tangalle and Hambantota on the south and southeast coast. Aquatics centers are supervised by certified PADI instructors.
Sri Lanka has more than 100 thousand rivers, lagoons and reservoirs. You can ride here all year round kayaking And canoe, combining these activities with hiking and camping stops. The fast current and rapids of the Kelani Ganges next to Kitulgala ideal for rafting between November and April.
Alternative activities include activities paragliding, rock climbing, caving (caving) and mountain biking.

7. Relax in the best hotels Asia, combining the highest service and design.

There are various hotel options in Sri Lanka. In Colombo you will find modern five star hotels, and colonial era hotels, in which you can feel the charm and romance of past centuries.
The island has stunning hotels in amazingly beautiful places. On the coast, especially in the west and south, there are a huge number of resort hotels. Several of them were designed by one of Asia's most famous 20th-century architects, Geoffrey Bawa. Bawa's designs are in a style called "tropical modernism", which is characterized by blurring the boundaries between external and internal space, so that the architecture and landscape of the surrounding area interact with each other. Also on the western and southern shores the number of boutique hotels.
In the cities of the mountainous region of the country such as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela , concentrated hotels of the colonial era. For those who are going to fairly remote regions of the island, perhaps for the purpose of sporting adventures, there are wonderful colonial-style houses, factory buildings on tea and rubber plantations, jungle huts, tree houses And eco-shelters, and campings.

8. Enjoy exotic national cuisine.

The variety of types of rice, spices, vegetables and fruits, coupled with the customs brought to the island by foreigners, formed the varied and interesting cuisine of Sri Lanka. Rice used with curry(any dish made from eggplant, potatoes, green bananas, chicken, fish, etc. with the addition of spices) of varying degrees of spiciness: from spicy-spicy to dynamite-like spiciness. Just as traditional hoppers(a snack similar to pancakes) thong hoppers(steamed rice noodles) and pita(a mixture of coconut and flour). Dish lamprais, rice and additional meat or vegetable ingredients baked in banana leaves, was inherited from the Dutch. Always available in large quantities fresh fish, shrimp, crabs, squid and lobsters. Desserts include fermented milk buffalo milk curd, watered palm honey, and similar to caramel, vatallapam.
In Sri Lanka there are various cutlets, pies, malu pang(fish bun), and Kimbula Banis(crocodile shaped bun).
Fruits mango, pineapple, banana, papaya, and lesser known but wonderful sapodilla, mangosteen, rambutan, woodapple(a fruit with a very hard skin, called wood apple), durian, passion fruit, avocado, etc.

9. Try it Ayurvedic procedures and relax in spa center.

Sri Lanka is a place where you can restore not only your body, but also your spirit. The most popular method to restore and rejuvenate a tired body and soothe a weary soul remains Ayurveda- The oldest system of medicine in the world. Ayurvedic programs consist of a number of herbal treatments and various types bath And massages, as well as cleansing and rejuvenation techniques such as yoga, meditation and special diets.
In spas located in hotels, guests are offered not only Ayurvedic, but also other types of treatments, such as Thai massage, hydrotherapy, herbal baths, reflexology and beauty treatments. For those who need an energy recharge, we offer meditation courses.

10. Commit profitable purchases.

There are different ways to shop in Sri Lanka:

• Bargaining with a souvenir seller, spending time on the beach;
• Choosing fruits in a village shop, making your way between bags of rice;
• Visiting fashion sales (Sri Lanka is a major clothing exporter), enjoying strolls through the modern shopping centers of Colombo.

Stop by the gift shop and purchase a piece adorned with the island's national animals such as the makara (mystical animal), lion, swan, elephant and lotus, which are intricately engraved on the copper products(boxes, trays, lanterns, vases) and silver products(jewelry decorated with filigree carvings, tea sets. In addition, very popular national masks, lacquered ceramics, batik, textiles, lace, wood carving.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Capital- city of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Square- 65,610 sq. km.
Population— 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Independence date (from Great Britain)— February 4, 1948
The largest city —
Currency— Sri Lankan rupee
Timezone — +5:30
Telephone code — +94

At the official level the country is called Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The state is located in southern Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the country gained independence, it was called Ceylon. The official capital of the state is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the supreme court and parliament are located. However, the actual capital is the city. The residence of the country's president is located here and the government meets. Dondra is the southern cape of the island, Dutch Bay is the western.

Sri Lanka - video

The island of Sri Lanka is washed by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Palk Strait and the Gulf of Manara separate Sri Lanka from Hindustan. In the past, the island was connected to the mainland by the so-called Adam's Bridge (a sandbar in the Palk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. In the center of the country there are mountain ranges, the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The highest mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The island's subequatorial monsoon climate is determined by the northeast and southwest monsoons that blow throughout the year.
The largest rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.

According to the government census conducted in the summer of 2013, the country has a population of about 21.6 million people. By nationality we can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils ​​(about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). Religiously, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7%, respectively.

The country's calling card is tea. In terms of its production volumes, Sri Lanka is third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in the extraction of precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of export volumes (about 63%), agriculture - about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network of bus routes, which are served by both the state bus company and private enterprises. You can get to any corner of the island by bus, but traveling there will be little fun due to dirt, dust, crowding and low speed (no more than 45 km/h). There are also more comfortable buses, but getting on them is quite difficult - tickets must be booked in advance at bus stations or at transport agencies.

It is worth mentioning the island's railway transport. The railway connection connects large cities with each other. The trains have carriages of different classes with and without air conditioning. A world-famous restored train, which was built back in 1928, runs along one of the routes. Sri Lanka has Bandaranaike International Airport, located approximately 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military airport.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Bambarakanda waterfall

Waterfall "Bridal Veil"

On the territory of the state there are famous Ceylon tea plantations, which was first brought here from China in 1824. In the second half of the 19th century, tea was first grown here on an industrial scale - James Taylor, a planter from Scotland, did this, planting about 80 hectares of land with tea.

1. In Sri Lanka, internal national conflicts occur quite often, so do not be surprised by the large number of military personnel on the streets and roadblocks. Train and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and all passengers must show identification upon entry. In the southern part of the country the situation is somewhat calmer, so there are usually fewer checks here.

2. When visiting restaurants or cafes, pay attention to what the food you ordered is prepared from, since all the dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. You should choose sauces especially carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to wash it down with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened flatbread.

3. If you want to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, since here they do it a little differently than in Europe.

4. The main dish in Sri Lanka is rice, which is served on a separate large plate, along with small saucers with various spices and seasonings.

5. Do not be alarmed if you are offered to buy soft drugs on the street - this is considered a common occurrence here, despite the fact that the laws of the country provide for the highest penalty for distribution and possession of drugs - the death penalty.

6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. It is better to scald vegetables with boiling water. Water should be drunk exclusively from plastic bottles with factory caps.

7. Residents of the country are very friendly with tourists, although this attitude is not always pleasant, as sometimes it develops into intrusiveness (this mainly applies to local street vendors and tour guides).

8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. Hunting animals and collecting corals is strictly prohibited here.

9. It is best to dress in the country in light clothes made of natural fabric in light shades. If you are going to climb the mountains, be sure to take warm clothes with you.

10. When visiting temples, you must take off your shoes and hats. It is prohibited to enter such places wearing short skirts and shorts, as well as bare shoulders and backs. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or the soles of shoes to others, do not take photographs of the local population without permission, and do not offend cows, as they are sacred animals here.

11. It is not at all necessary to leave a tip in restaurants or hotels. Sometimes they are included in the total bill for a service or meal.

12. The voltage in the local power supply is 230-240V, and the sockets are three-pin, so to use them you need to purchase a special adapter.

Hello, dear readers – seekers of knowledge and truth!

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

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

What country is it

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

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

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

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

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

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

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

Geography

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

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

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

Geography of Sri Lanka in numbers:

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

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

The main water arteries are:

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

Kalu River

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

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

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

Climate

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

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

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

Relief and landscape

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

• Mountains and hills

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

The highest mountain, Pidurutalagala, exceeds 2520 meters.

• Rainforests
• Coast with lowlands and beautiful beach areas.

Nature

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

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

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

People

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

There are several nationalities in the country:

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

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

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

The residents themselves simply call their homeland Lanka.

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

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

Culture and religion

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

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

Theravada monks in Sri Lanka

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

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

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

We're flying to Sri Lanka

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

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

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

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

The main resort towns include:

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

Hambantota Resort, Sri Lanka

Souvenirs

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

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

Conclusion

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

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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.