Sri Lanka is an island of Sun and Sand. More than one thousand kilometers of sandy beaches with palm trees surround Sri Lanka. Until 1972, this country was called Ceylon. And although its name has changed, it still grows the best black tea in the world - "Ceylon". In addition to beautiful beaches and tea, Sri Lanka has a large number of historical attractions, ranging from Buddhist and Hindu monasteries and temples, to orchid gardens and colorful festivals.
Geography of Sri Lanka
The island nation of Sri Lanka is located in the northern Indian Ocean off the southern coast of the Hindustan Peninsula in South Asia. Sri Lanka is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on all sides. In the northwest, it has a maritime border with India, and in the southwest, with the Maldives. The total area of this country is 65,610 sq. km
In the center and south of Sri Lanka there are foothills and mountains, and the rest of the territory is plains and coastal lowlands. The largest local peak is Mount Pidurutalagala, whose height reaches 2,524 meters.
The longest river in Sri Lanka is Mahaweli, its length is 335 km. Mahaweli flows through the central, northern and eastern regions of this country, and flows into the Bay of Bengal.
Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the capital of Sri Lanka. More than 120 thousand people now live in this city.
Official language of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has two official languages - Sinhala and Tamil.
Religion
More than 70% of the population professes Buddhism (in particular, Theravada Buddhism), more than 12% - Hinduism, almost 10% - Islam, and about 7% - Christianity.
State structure
According to the current Constitution, Sri Lanka is a presidential-parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected for 6 years by universal suffrage. The president is the commander in chief and he appoints the ministers.
The unicameral parliament of Sri Lanka is elected by popular vote every six years 225 deputies. The President of the country has the right to dissolve the Parliament.
Administratively, Sri Lanka is divided into 9 provinces and 25 districts.
Climate and weather
Due to the proximity to the equator, the climate in Sri Lanka is tropical and warm. The average annual air temperature is +28-31C. In hilly areas and foothills - + 20C, and in flat and coastal areas - + 27C.
From May to July, the monsoon (rainy) season continues in the central, western and southern regions of the island. In the northern and eastern regions, the rainy season falls on December and January.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from November to April (southwest coast and mountains) and from May to September (east coast). Thus, you can visit Sri Lanka all year round, because. there is always a dry season in some part of this island.
Sea in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on all sides. The length of the coast is 1,585 kilometers. Local beaches are surrounded by palm groves. The average sea temperature in January is +28C, and in July - +27C.
Rivers and lakes
There are over 100 rivers in Sri Lanka. The longest of them is Mahaweli, its length is 335 km. Mahaweli flows through the central, northern and eastern regions of this country, and flows into the Bay of Bengal.
Story
The history of civilization in Sri Lanka has more than 2.5 thousand years. In former times this country was called Ceylon. The first settlers were the Veddas. Around the VI century BC. Sinhalese arrived on this island and founded their kingdoms there. From the III century BC. Buddhism began to spread there. Until the 11th century, the capital of the most powerful Sinhalese kingdom was Anuradhapura, and then it was transferred to Polonnaruwa.
In 1505, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka and monopolized the spice trade. By 1658, the Sinhalese kings, with the help of the Dutch, were able to expel the Portuguese from the island.
The Dutch were more interested in trade and profit than in governing this country. Therefore, they did not really resist the British when the British sailed to Sri Lanka in 1796. In 1815, Britain defeated the Sinhalese kingdom of Kandy, and thus established control over the entire island.
It wasn't until 1948 that Sri Lanka achieved independence. In 1972, this country received its modern name - Sri Lanka.
Culture of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a multi-cultural society made up of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Therefore, the culture there is very interesting and diverse. Travelers will be able to see colorful unique festivals and holidays in Sri Lanka.
In January, Sri Lankans celebrate the New Year, Duruthu Perahera (held in memory of the Buddha's visit to this island), Pongal (Hindu harvest festival); in February / March - the Buddhist holiday Navam Perehera and Maha Shivarathri Day; in April / May - Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Eid ul-Adha; July/August - Kandy Perahera and Vel festival; September - kite festival, Navarathri Hindu festival; October/November - Ramadan, Lilawali ("Festival of Lights"); December - Sangamittha Perehera.
All these festivals are colorful processions, they are necessarily accompanied by elephant parades, musical and dance performances, fireworks and theatrical performances.
Kitchen
The cuisine of Sri Lanka reflects the multi-ethnic composition of the population of this island. The main food of the locals is rice and curry made from a mixture of spices, herbs and coconut milk. In general, almost all local dishes are prepared on the basis of coconut milk and spices are used.
Samba is pearl rice and is eaten on special occasions. During festivals, yellow rice is made, cooked with coconut milk and seasoned a little with spices. Another popular rice dish is Kiribath (milk rice).
In addition, the people of Sri Lanka are real experts in cooking fish and seafood dishes. Grilled fish is served with fried potatoes and salad, while curried fish is served with rice.
Popular dishes are Mallung with curry (finely chopped dried vegetables, shrimps with grated coconut and spices), Sambol (spicy hot dish), Pol Symbol (grated coconut, onion, red pepper, lime and salt), Seeni Sambol (fish with spicy onions ), Lamprais (curry, cutlet, shrimp paste, eggplant curry, rice wrapped in a banana leaf and baked), Buriyani (rice in meat broth), as well as Thalaguli and Wattalapam sweets.
The traditional soft drink in Sri Lanka is black tea, which is most often drunk with sugar and milk. Sometimes crushed ginger is added to tea. In addition, the inhabitants of this island love coffee, fruit juices and coconut milk.
Alcoholic drinks are also made in Sri Lanka - low-alcohol "toddy" (from coconut palm juice) and "arrak" (30-40%, from coconut palm juice).
Sights of Sri Lanka
According to official figures, there are several hundred Buddhist and Hindu monasteries in Sri Lanka. And if we add temples, palaces, mosques, cave complexes to this, then the number of local attractions will reach several thousand. The top ten attractions in Sri Lanka, in our opinion, may include the following:
- Buddhist temple Dalada Maligawa (it houses the tooth of the Buddha)
- Fort in Colombo
- Sigiriya fortress
- Dawatagaha Mosque in Colombo
- Cave Buddhist temple in Aluvihara
- Hindu monastery Kochchikade in Colombo
- Ruins of the city of Anuradhapura
- Palace of King Cassiapa on the "Lion Mountain"
- Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla
- Buddha's footprints on Sri Pada
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Sri Lanka are Kandy, Tricomalee, Kurunegala, Galle, Ratnapura, Kurunegala and Colombo.
Sri Lanka has many kilometers of beautiful beaches. Many of these beaches are located in picturesque bays surrounded by palm groves.
The best beach areas are Colombo, Trincomalee, Bentota, Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa, Kogalla, Negombo and Kalutara. Many tourists believe that the best beach in Sri Lanka is Mount Lavinia near Colombo. All local beach resorts have a good infrastructure for recreation. There are also excellent opportunities for surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, swimming, diving, fishing, spearfishing and diving.
Near some beach resorts (for example, near Trincomalee) there are hot springs, and therefore tourists can take therapeutic baths there.
Souvenirs/Shopping
From Sri Lanka, tourists usually bring handicrafts, ceramics, jewelry, masks, leather goods (for example, bags), batik fabric, coconut shell souvenirs, spices, and, of course, local ("Ceylon" ) Black tea.
Office Hours
Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
In the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, off the coast of India, there is a small island shaped like a drop.
Everyone has heard about him at least once, and every day they probably enjoy his gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but the "nickname" Ceylon is widely known. This is Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the narrow Polk Strait.
The inhabitants 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 dominance, almost everyone in Sri Lanka speaks English today. Only he's not exactly normal. Often, a resident of the British Isles or the United States will not fully understand the Sri Lankan, although both of them will communicate in the same language. This is because the locals add a lot of "their" words to the speech.
The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It depicts a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is a symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean a few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the Buddhists prevailing on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 paipula leaves, a sacred tree for Buddhists.
Sri Lanka is an island of gems. In its bowels - rubies, garnets, moonstone, amethysts. But the "king" of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. Sri Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!
As in other Asian countries, motor cycle rickshaws are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "tuk-tuk". This is the only safe means of transportation, as it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Local residents do not follow the rules of the road. They can stop their vehicle whenever and wherever they want, just to let a cow pass or go out to say hello to a friend they suddenly saw on the street ...
It is interesting!
Taking Sri Lankan rupees abroad, even as a souvenir, is prohibited by law.
An umbrella in Sri Lanka is not a remedy for rain, but the main protection from the sun. From the showers that come here, he will not save, but under the hot sun without an umbrella in any way. Therefore, umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.
In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. Thus, the Sri Lankans observe hygiene, and the dishes do not need to be washed after eating.
One state - two capitals
The small state of Sri Lanka boasts that it has not one capital, but two! This is a large metropolis of Colombo and a little-known town with the complex name of Sri Jayewardanapura Kotte. The first is the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second is the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.
Translated from the Sinhalese language, Colombo means "mangrove harbour". The city is really located in an area where there are a lot of 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 in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.
Colombo is the largest city on the island and the largest port in Sri Lanka. It is noisy and crowded 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 safely coexist - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the finest 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 fragrant plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper and the queen is cinnamon. It was thanks to the huge amount of spices that the island was of interest to many European countries. Their rulers have always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, ginger, which had no equal in the world.
Sri Jayewardanapura 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 path between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day trip around the island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression "to go to Kotta" for modern Sri Lankans means "to drive in a roundabout way."
The city of Colombo was the capital during the reign of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in Ceylon. 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 often take place on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants, the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka, always participate.
elephant city
In the past, elephants were the main means of transportation in Sri Lanka. They transported people and goods in the mountains and jungles. Today, tractors and trucks do this, 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. In 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. On the day he needs 250 kg of cane or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water.
For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But the Sri Lankans think differently. They consider the giants a natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are being shot by…farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can take down an entire village! Neither fences nor traps stop the giants, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Sri Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and "stupid" than their African relatives.
There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where baby elephants are left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants. By the way, the oldest animal here is over 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is drunk with warm milk from the nipple so that he gets stronger and feels good.
Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed up in special costumes-masks, decorated with jewels.
Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they "work out" caring for them by riding tourists 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 tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. It is very difficult to maintain balance while riding, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. When traveling on horseback, you are 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.
The elephant, who 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 them.
Based on materials
Few of us living in the northern latitudes 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 by? Many are interested in the question - is Sri Lanka India or not? What part of the world is Sri Lanka in?
In recent years, rest on this piece of land in the middle of the endless ocean expanses has become increasingly popular. Tourists come here for the warm sea, sandy beaches, eternal summer, unique souvenirs, and the opportunity to see whales.
In contact with
Geographic location
Geographically, Sri Lanka is located at the southern tip of the Hindustan peninsula, it can be easily 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 dozen kilometers wide. The southern part of the island is formed by mountain terraces, passing to the center in the highlands.
The geographical coordinates of Sri Lanka are 7°45′00″ s. sh., 80°46′00 E d.
Brief information about the country
When England, Portugal and Holland colonized Sri Lanka in the 16th century, it was called Ceylon. Now the island is called Sri Lanka, and about how the official name sounds in Russian, Wikipedia answers - "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka."
The form of statehood is the Democratic Socialist Republic. The type of government is a presidential republic. The main nationality is the 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 middle of the 20th century it was a colonial possession:
- the Portuguese;
- the Dutch;
- English.
Capital
note: officially the main administrative center, the seat of government, is the city of Sri Jayawardanapura-Kotte, founded in the XIII century as a Kotte fortress. It is located between the channels of Diyavanna Oya and Kolonnava Oya.
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 - Sinhalese and Tamil. In tourist areas, residents understand English.
Visa
Residents of Russia need to apply for a visa to visit. The easiest way is to fill out an electronic form posted on the embassy website in advance. Upon arrival, pay 35 dollars, present a valid passport, a completed arrival card and receive a visa.
Note: You can also apply for a visa on arrival. However, this will cost more and take more time.
Population
More than 21.5 million people live in Ceylon. More than ¾ of the population is the titular nation - Sinhalese, 1/6 - Tamils. The descendants of the Arabs and Austronesians, who are immigrants from, do not exceed 1/12 of the country's population.
In addition, the descendants of European colonizers live here: the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. Their number is about 1/15 of the total number of citizens.
Religion
Take note: officially recognized four world religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity.
Sinhalese, the bulk of the population, professes 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 that are part of the Indian Ocean. The Polk 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, according to its characteristics, is a sea. The bay is famous for its coastal mangrove forests, rich in unique underwater world.
The rest of the coastline of the island is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean itself. The sea coast with lazy surf is perfect for a beach holiday. Fans of outdoor activities should choose ocean beaches with their ever-roaring waves.
Currency
The national currency of the republic is the Sri Lankan rupee. 1 US dollar is worth about 153 Sri Lankan rupees. 1 Russian ruble costs approximately 2.62 rupees, for the euro they ask about 166 rupees.
Transport
Sri Lanka has a fairly developed land transport infrastructure:
- tuk-tuks are the main mode of transport, which is a cross between a motorcycle and a cycle rickshaw. It is allowed to bargain on the price of the trip;
- city buses;
- an extensive network of intercity buses, which is the most comfortable mode of transport;
- railway communication between settlements;
- Taxi. Developed only in tourist areas and capitals.
Car and scooter rentals are also available. Just keep in mind that:
- no rights other than local ones are recognized by the authorities;
- Only persons over the age of 21 are allowed to drive.
Difference in time
Moscow time is 2.5 hours behind Sri Lankan time. Time ahead of Sri Lankan by 4.5 hours, Novosibirsk - by 1.5 hours. It is practically in the same time zone with Sri Lanka: the difference is only 30 minutes.
What to bring
The island has been famous for its tea plantations, spices, and pearls since ancient times. The number of varieties of tea is so great that it is almost impossible to taste them all.
For more than a dozen centuries, precious stones mined from the depths of Sri Lanka have been highly valued in the jewelry markets: sapphires, emeralds, almandines, opals, tourmalines, topazes.
Therefore, it is worth bringing from the trip:
- Ceylon tea. You can buy it on plantations, in shops, in the market. The price is highly dependent on 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 buying, 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 passing through customs;
- cotton clothing. For its manufacture, Indian cotton is used, which is characterized by long fibers that give the fabrics softness.
Climate
The island is completely located in the zone of humid equatorial with a transition to a subequatorial climate. On the coast, the climate is monsoonal.
The high season is winter. The climate is mild. The change of seasons is practically non-existent. Ceylon is the realm of eternal summer. Even in the mountains it never snows. 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.
The temperatures of air and ocean water are always almost the same, being 30°-32°C. Sea water temperature is lower by 1–2°С. Night temperatures rarely drop below +25°C.
In the highlands, the climate is less hot, the temperature rarely rises above +25°C. The climatic conditions are such that the local southern winter is much warmer than our northern summer.
How to fly
Direct regular flights from Colombo International Airport are made to only one Russian city - Moscow. Flight period: from June to August.
There are direct charter flights from other cities in Russia to Colombo, information about which can be obtained from the tour operator organizing trips.
It is convenient for residents of the Asian part of the country to fly with transfers at airports:
- Beijing;
- Seoul;
These cities have year-round regular direct flights. Russian airlines have tariff agreements with Asian airlines flying 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 involve 2-3 transfers.
Resorts
Resort areas are located in almost all parts 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 the Portuguese fort, which the Dutch turned into a prison. It is of interest to fans of history, cultural studies, ethnography.
Advice: Negombo is perfect for lazy beach lovers.
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, the shacks of the poor huddle next to fashionable buildings.
The cleanliness of wealthy neighborhoods is replaced by the garbage of slums. Shine and poverty, eternal holiday and eternal work, past and future - all this is intertwined on the streets of Colombo. It is of interest to outdoor enthusiasts.
Bentota
A romantic resort on the sea coast is perfect for peace and lazy relaxation. This is a quiet place with an unhurried rhythm under the shade of palm trees. The main type of recreation is the beach. Located southwest of Colombo.
Kalutara
It is located on the shores of the Laccadive Sea, where the Kalu River flows into it.
Focused on lovers of outdoor activities, water sports.
Halle
The city is located in the southwest, remarkable for its architecture. This resort is suitable for a relaxing secluded holiday.
Induruwa
Located in the west of the country. It has recently acquired the status of a resort, so the flow of tourists is still small. Fans of a leisurely, measured rest 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 with solo travelers.
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 known for its water excursions, during which you can meet wild whales and dolphins.
Mirissa is the best beach
Experienced surfers go to Mirissa for high waves. Untouched marvelous nature, lack of economic activity create a feeling of paradise. The place is secluded, conducive to a romantic getaway. There are no usual resort entertainments.
Surf paradise
The open ocean coast of the southern tip of the island is popular with surfers. Surf waves allow you to surf all year round. Sandy beaches are good for beginner surfing lessons. Experienced surfers catch waves among the 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.
Surf schools also operate in Kogalle, Unawatuna, Weligama.
shopping
Shopping impresses with its diversity and will bring real pleasure to those who like to shop.
Note: as everywhere in the east, it is customary to bargain here. Local merchants do not like those who buy without haggling. For them, this is one of the types of communication, a centuries-old tradition that is still observed today. In addition, bargaining is quite realistic to bring down prices by several orders of magnitude.
Resting on the island, you should visit the numerous jewelry factories, which operate shopping centers. The range of jewelry shopping centers is striking in the variety and beauty of the products presented. Local jewelers can make custom-made jewelry with the stones they like.
Having made a trip to the tea plantations, walking through the spice gardens, it is worth visiting the shops. True, prices there are much higher than in small shops and markets.
In local markets, you can buy exotic fruits, spices, spices, essential oils. In addition, here you can buy cotton clothes or order their individual tailoring.
This is especially true for the countries of Southeast Asia. Even if tourists bring any plants, seeds, they can simply be confiscated at customs. To prevent this, it is recommended to abandon the purchase or issue a phytopass. It is better to carry fruits in packed luggage, so they will definitely not be confiscated.
Tips
Leaving a tip is voluntary. Hotel staff, guides, porters, drivers are advised to tip a dollar.
In cafes and restaurants, tips are already included in the bill. In other cases, tourists determine the size of the tip themselves, the maximum amount can reach 10% of the value of the check.
Kitchen
The national cuisine of the Sri Lankans is predominantly vegetarian with lots of spices and spices. The staple food is rice. The local cuisine originates from Indian, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, the Arabs, and the Chinese have 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 with boiled rice as a side dish.
In hotels, tourists are offered the usual Europeanized menu. National dishes are served in an adapted form. You can try real Sri Lankan dishes in restaurants frequented by locals. For most Europeans, national dishes seem very spicy, this should be borne 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, which are found only here - 16% of the total.
More than half of the species are endangered:
- Indian deer sambar;
- Sri Lankan leopard;
- Sri Lankan elephant;
- sponge bear.
The island is also home to over 200 species of birds, a quarter of which are also endangered. More than half of the representatives of amphibians can 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. Merchants, drivers usually quote a price many times higher than the actual one. There is only one piece of advice here: find out the cost in advance, bargain desperately.
You can also become a victim of scammers when exchanging currency, often tourists are lured by a tempting exchange rate. Therefore, it is necessary to be vigilant, not to be led by tempting offers, while maintaining a critical perception. As the saying goes, free cheese is only found in a mousetrap.
sights
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 the Indians;
- ancient man-made lakes;
- the palace complex of Sigiriya, located on mountain terraces;
- national parks Horton Place, Yala;
- royal botanical garden;
- heritage of the period of colonization;
- 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 weekly package tour for two with a departure from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk starts from 60 thousand rubles.
All about Sri Lanka, the land of ancient ruins, religious relics, beautiful beaches and colorful reefs. Similar to India, but not her. We talk about the best places to know and where to go.
The content of the article
Sri Lanka is a paradise island with a rich history that attracts travelers from all over the world and remains forever in their hearts. The island, located in the Indian Ocean, is an exotic world of romantic getaways and adventures in natural settings. Each city of Sri Lanka is unique in its own way, one for its rich history, the second for the untouchedness of the surrounding world, the third for its developed infrastructure for tourism.
General information about the country
Location
Sri Lanka- a small island in the Indian Ocean, located on the southeastern tip of India. Occupies by area 65600 sq². This is a country that has EVERYTHING: beautiful beaches, high mountains (over 2000 m), tropical forests and many animals such as wild elephants, leopards, sea turtles, dolphins and whales.
Capital
Colombo city
Form of government
mixed republic
Religion
Buddhism 70%, Islam 8%, Christianity 6%
Sri Lanka is one of the most ancient countries of the Buddhist religion, which was first introduced to the island by the son of Emperor Ashoka in the 2nd century BC. In Anuradhapura, a branch from the sacred Bodhi tree, under the shade of which the Buddha attained enlightenment, was installed, it was brought by the daughter of Emperor Sanamitta. This relic is today especially revered in the Buddhist world. The atmosphere of Sri Lanka is literally saturated with religion, there are many sacred temples, the main of which is considered to be the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, located in the ancient capital of the Sinhalese state of Kandy. Traditionally, the temple is visited with lotus flowers - a symbol of purity and perfection. Although the lotus grows in a swamp, it is able to grow beautiful and spotless. The philosophy of Buddhism is based on the teaching that, like a lotus, a person is able to purify his soul, overcome all the difficulties of life.
Language
Sinhalese - 74%, Tamil - 18%, Others - 8%. Approximately 10% of the inhabitants speak English fluently. Menus (in tourist restaurants) are served in Sinhala and English.
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee
Population
22 million people
Country phone code
Climate, when is the best time to go
Tropical climate. There are two monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka, which run from May to July and from December to January. The average annual temperature is around 28°C in the lowlands and around 18°C in the highlands.
The recommended time for a holiday in Sri Lanka is during the dry season - from April to November for the east coast and from December to March for the west coast and central highlands. Christmas and New Year are especially popular times to travel to Sri Lanka
Do I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka?
Everyone who wants to visit Sri Lanka is required to apply for a visa from January 1, 2012. The exceptions are citizens of the Republic of Singapore, the Republic of the Maldives and the Republic of Seychelles. But don't worry, it's easy enough, the only thing you need to do is apply for an online ETA tourist visa before entering Sri Lanka. The online visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival and can be extended for up to six months. The cost of a visa is $35 (children under 12 are free).
If you failed to pre-arrange an ETA, you will need to go through the collection procedure at the airport upon arrival (but you will have to pay already $ 40, children under 12 years old are free)
What are the entry requirements for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a very easy country to visit and there are not many entry requirements. The only thing you will need when entering Sri Lanka, besides an online visa, is at least one blank page in your valid passport, which must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, as well as a return ticket with the exact date of departure, a voucher, a migration card (must be filled out in English, fill it out either on the plane or at the border) and cash in the amount of $ 25-50 per day.
Insurance
Never travel without valid travel insurance! Travel insurance may seem expensive, but it's nothing compared to what medical care can cost you even more. This is the one thing you should never skimp on!
How to get to Sri Lanka
It is more convenient to get to Sri Lanka by plane. During the season, you can fly from Moscow with Aeroflot, in winter, the following airlines Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways fly with stops in Male (Maldives).
What to do in Sri Lanka?
The island has plenty of sun, sea and sand. The southern coast is considered the tourist center of the country with golden sandy shores, calm lagoons and picturesque nature.
Types of recreation presented to tourists on the island:
- surfing
- sailing
- windsurfing
- deep sea fishing
- sightseeing tours
Due to the relatively small area, the island is easy to explore, the transport system is well developed here, the basis of which is a bus and rail connection.
Paradise corner of the eternal sun, the birthplace of fragrant tea and an unforgettable vacation - Sri Lanka opens its arms to travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Places to visit in Sri Lanka
All kinds of monuments of culture and art are located on the island in abundance, eight of which are under the protection of UNESCO: - Anuradhapura - a historical city; - Polonnaruwa - a historic city; - Sigiriya - rock fortress; - Singaraja - forest reserve; - Kandy - the holy city; - the old part of the city of Galle with fortifications; Dambulla - the golden temple; - highlands of the central part of Sri Lanka.
In addition to historical monuments, Sri Lanka is famous for the presence of an elephant nursery, a turtle breeding farm, and spice gardens. Near the city of Kandy is the largest botanical garden in Asia, which presents rare tropical plants of various shapes and colors.
National cuisine of Sri Lanka
Thanks to the tropical climate Sri Lanka is rich fresh fruits, vegetables and spices, which are used in most dishes. Freshness plays a key role in food preparation. Many families grow the curry tree and vegetables, some of which are virtually unknown outside of Sri Lanka, such as murunga (drumsticks), which are used in curries and accompaniments, and their leaves are a popular addition to the beloved crab curry.
A simple meal might consist of rice, sambol cooked with chili, pickles or chutney, and of course a vegetable curry or dhal. Also in the local cuisine there is a huge assortment of meat, vegetable and seafood dishes.
Sri Lankan cuisine is a labour-intensive cuisine, as many of the dishes are difficult to prepare. For instance, Hoppers are pancakes made from rice flour that are used to brew curries and rice. Even more laborious are haircuts, which are thin pods of rice flour that are strained through a sieve and rolled into a small round mat and steamed.
Pros and cons of holidays in Sri Lanka
- Beautiful people. The people in Sri Lanka are great! They are sweet, kind and hospitable.
- Tasty food. Sri Lankan food is fantastic! Their rice and curry dish is especially tasty.
- Excellent climate. Sri Lanka has a subtropical climate which makes it an ideal country to visit.
- Magnificent beaches. Here you will find the most amazing beaches!
- wildlife.Despite the fact that Sri Lanka is a small island, there is great wildlife here. You can see animals such as wild elephants, crocodiles, leopards, sea turtles, whales, dolphins and many beautiful birds.
- Everything is within reach. The best thing is that Sri Lanka is a small island that makes it easy to travel and see a lot in a short time.
- Overpriced. Probably one not-so-good thing about budget travelers is the rising prices in Sri Lanka. Just a few years ago, accommodation, transportation, and entrance fees to attractions and temples were much cheaper than they are today. Sri Lanka is more expensive than other Asian countries that we are used to, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia.
- For tourists, all entertainment is more expensive. Foreigners have to pay much more than locals to visit the sights and temples in Sri Lanka. Just keep in mind that entrance fees eat up a lot of your budget when traveling around Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Representatives of different cultures and religions live in harmony in an amazing way in Sri Lanka, Buddhism is considered the main religion, Buddha statues in various variations are found everywhere on the island. It should be noted that it is indecent to photograph against the backdrop of the Buddha, standing with your back to the statue, visiting temples barefoot, and your knees, shoulders and back must be covered. In a word, the natural beauty of Sri Lanka is closely intertwined with the rich history of the country.
Sophisticated tourists will appreciate the golden border of hundreds of kilometers of beaches, the clear waters of the Indian Ocean with a rich underwater world, rice fields, lakes and rivers, forests and mountains from which waterfalls fall, the purest air saturated with the aromas of jasmine and lotus - the sacred flower of Buddhist religion. Welcome to paradise - Sri Lanka!
Good afternoon, dear readers! As always, I start a new column with general information. Meet - Sri Lanka information about the country: where the island is located, what is the climate here, about the locals, their religion and philosophy, safety and attractions.
Sri Lanka is a very beautiful tropical country with a rich history and amazing nature. The official name of the state is the Democratic Socialist Republic. Previously, before independence, it was called - Ceylon, which means glorious, blessed land.
The island is located in the Indian Ocean, not far from Hindustan. Its length is 430 km, width is 225 km, area is approximately 65000 sq/km. The coastline stretches for 1340 km. In the central part of Sri Lanka there are mountains, along the entire coast there is a plain.
Climate
Sri Lanka is only 650 km away. from the equator, so there is a subequatorial monsoon climate. Moreover, at the same time, in every place of the country, the weather conditions are different. From October to March in the northeast it rains and strong winds blow, and in the southwest, this weather is from June to October. Accordingly, the dry season in the first case occurs in summer, and in the second - in winter. Be sure to take this information into account when planning a holiday in Sri Lanka.
The air temperature is almost independent of the change of seasons. On the coast, it ranges from +27 to +32, in the mountains the daytime temperature is +18 - +20, at night it sometimes drops to + 10 degrees.
During the monsoon season, there are short showers at night, strong winds often blow. The ocean becomes restless, big waves rise, but the water near the coast remains as warm as in the dry season, +27 - +29 degrees.
Population and religion
Sri Lanka is a multinational state in which people of different nationalities and faiths live, about 20 million people.
The main population of the country is the Sinhalese, Tamils live in the northeast. Sinhala and Tamil are official languages. English is used for international communication.
The main religion of Sri Lanka is Buddhism. Hinduism was the main religion before the introduction of Buddhism, now there are few Hindus. Even fewer people profess Islam and Christianity.
Currency
The state money of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). One Sri Lankan rupee is equal to 100 cents. The exchange rate changes slowly, but over the years the rupee has become cheaper against the dollar.
sights
Sri Lanka is rich in its cultural heritage. There are many historical monuments that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include the historical cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the sacred Kandy, the Golden Temple in Dambulla, the old part of Galle and its fortifications, the Sinharaja forest reserve, the highlands of Central Sri Lanka.
It is very interesting to visit the waterfalls and tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plateau, Adam's Peak / Sri Pada, Royal Botanic Gardens, Yala, Mineriya, Bundala and Udawalawa National Parks. Excursions to these places will allow you to learn a lot of interesting information about Sri Lanka.
Safety
For many years, the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict flowed in the country, but in 2009 it ended with the victory of government troops. However, security measures are still increased in Sri Lanka, people in military uniforms are often found on the streets, and there are roadblocks on the roads.
The criminal situation on the island of Sri Lanka is quite favorable. Serious crimes do not happen often. Basically, theft and fraud prevail.
In big cities and tourist centers, tourist police detachments keep order.
Each country is unique in its own way. Any resort has its own characteristics. Going on a trip, it is better to familiarize yourself with the nuances of the rest in advance. You can read useful information about Sri Lanka for tourists in my article. Explore a brief overview of the island's beach resorts.
Dear friends! Be careful when entering the water. The ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka is treacherous, in many places there are huge waves, there are dangerous undercurrents. I wrote about this in more detail.
You can find a description of some of the island's attractions and my personal impressions in the section. You may also want to talk about your vacation in Sri Lanka, write a review, review or story, I will definitely publish it in the “Readers Travel” section. How to do it? Read.
Leave comments, subscribe to blog updates, there is still a lot of useful information ahead. Do not forget to share the article on social networks, let your friends also know about this wonderful place.
Now I say goodbye to you for a while, until we meet again!
Tatyana Solomatina
