Sri Lanka
Coastal BeachesSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The country's documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back at least 125,000 years. Its geographic location and deep harbors made it of great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to World War II. Sri Lanka is a diverse country, home to many religions, ethnicities, and languages. It is the land of the Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Burghers, Malays, Kaffirs, and the aboriginal Vedda. The island is rich in biodiversity with an abundance of tropical forests, wildlife, and a vibrant cultural heritage. It also has a varied landscape that includes highlands, plains, and sandy beaches. The economy of Sri Lanka was historically based on agriculture, but in recent times industry and services have become more significant. The country is famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, gemstones, and coconuts. The cultural landscape is just as diverse, with a mix of modern urban features, colonial architecture, and ancient cities with well-preserved ruins. Sri Lanka's climate is tropical and characterized by monsoons. The country has two capital cities: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the legislative capital, and Colombo, the executive and judicial capital. Tourism is a rapidly growing sector due to the country's diverse natural and cultural attractions, ranging from wildlife safaris to beach getaways and historical monuments. Sri Lanka is known for its rich Buddhist heritage and is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the Sigiriya rock fortress, the golden temple of Dambulla, and the old town of Galle and its fortifications.
