The official capital of Sri Lanka. National holidays and festivals. Feature of Sri Lankan cuisine

ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Capital Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte city
Square– 65,610 sq. km.
Population- 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Date of Independence (from UK)- 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 the south of Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the moment when 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. Here is the residence of the President of the country and the government sits. Dondra - southern cape islands, Dutch Bay - western.

Sri Lanka - video

Sri Lanka is bordered by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Polk 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 shallow in the Polk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. Mountain ranges are located in the center of the country, the relief of the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The tallest Mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The subequatorial monsoon climate of the island is due to the northeast and southwest monsoons blowing throughout the year.
Most major rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.

According to the state census conducted in the summer of 2013, about 21.6 million people live in the country. On a national basis, one can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils ​​(about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). In religious terms, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7% respectively.

The calling card of the country is tea. In terms of its production, Sri Lanka is the third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in mining precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of exports (about 63%), agriculture - about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network bus routes, which serves as a state bus company as well as private enterprises. You can get by bus to any corner of the island, but traveling in it will bring little pleasure due to dirt, dust, crush 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 ordered in advance at bus stations or transport agencies.

Worth mentioning about railway transport islands. Railway communication connects large. The trains have cars of different classes with and without air conditioning. On one of the routes, the world-famous restored train runs, which was built back in 1928. Sri Lanka has Bandaranaike International Airport, located about 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military one.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Waterfall Bambarakanda

Waterfall "Bridal Veil"

On the territory of the state are famous plantations Ceylon tea , 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 conflicts often occur, so do not be surprised at the large number of military on the streets and roadblocks. Railway stations and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and at the entrance all passengers must present identification documents. 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, as all dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. Sauces should be chosen carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to drink it with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened bread.

3. If you have a desire to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, because here it is done 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 which they bring small saucers with various spices and seasonings.

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

6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. Vegetables are best scalded with boiling water. Water should only be drunk from plastic bottles with factory caps.

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

8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. It is strictly forbidden to hunt animals and collect corals here.

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

10. When visiting temples, you need to take off your shoes and hats. It is forbidden to enter such places in short skirts and shorts, as well as with bare shoulders and back. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or shoe soles to others, do not take pictures local population without permission, and also do not offend the cows, as they are sacred animals here.

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

12. The voltage in the local electrical network is 230-240V, and the sockets are installed with three pins, so you need to purchase a special adapter to use them.

Sri Lanka- a state located on the island of the same name in South Asia, not far from southeast coast Hindustan, widely known as a world resort. The official name of the country is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Historical dates of Sri Lanka:

• 6th century BC - the arrival of the Sinhalese from northern India to the island.
• 3rd century BC - the penetration of Buddhism on the island.
• 3rd-13th century AD - the existence on the island of large Sinhalese kingdoms with capitals in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
• 1506 - the discovery of the island of Ceylon by the Portuguese navigator Laurence d'Almeida, later - the occupation of the coast of the island by the Portuguese.
• 17th century - dominance of the Dutch on the island.
• 1802 - the island becomes a colony of the British Empire.
• 1948 - the state gains independence and is called the Dominion of Ceylon.
• 1971 - the youth uprising of the Popular Liberation Front, which failed.
• 1072 - the country ceases to be a dominion and is renamed Sri Lanka.
• Since 1983, there has been a civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam guerrilla organization and the government.
• December 2004 - Sri Lanka suffers heavy losses as a result of the tsunami. More than 38,000 people died, 6,000 went missing, and the homes of hundreds of thousands of residents were destroyed.
• May 18, 2009 - end civil war, the victory of government forces.

Geographical position Sri Lanka:

The state of Sri Lanka is located on an island in the Indian Ocean, which is located south of the Hindustan Peninsula. The length of the island from south to north is 445 km, and from east to west - 225 km. The main part of the territory of the state is located in a flat area, the height of which practically does not exceed 100 m.
In the center of the island is the Central mountain range height of 1000-2000 m, here is located highest point islands - Mount Pidurutalaga (2524 m), but Adam's Peak (2243 m) is more famous. Many rivers of the state flow down from the mountains, the largest of which are the Ganga, Malvanuna Oya, Kelani Ganga. Many rivers are navigable, and there are many waterfalls in the mountains, the most famous of which are Koslanda Bryda Vale (aka "Bridal Veil") and Babarakanda, which have a height of more than 200 m.
East Coast Sri Lanka make up hundreds of continuous white sandy beaches, turquoise ocean with many coral reefs and diverse vegetable world.
14% of the territory of the state is occupied National parks, reservations and nature reserves, the most famous of which National Park Yala, Udawalawe National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Wilpatu National Park, Bundala National Park.
The southwestern coast of the island is represented by continuous golden beaches, hotels and small towns where the resort atmosphere reigns everywhere
The city of Colombo - the capital of Sri Lanka is located on the ocean in the western part of the island.

Sri Lanka is interesting for tourists not only for its beaches, but also for its numerous attractions. Here are many architectural monuments, ancient cities, royal palaces and gardens, ancient monasteries. The painting and sculpture of the country speaks of the great cultural and technological achievements of the ancient inhabitants of this island.
There are many religious shrines in Sri Lanka. These include: the holy mountain of Sri Lanka, Adam's Peak, a rock with footprints of the Buddha, an ancient royal city Anuradhapura, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the “Bo” tree under which the Buddha rested, the huge ark of Ruvanvelisiya Dagoba and others.
In the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, it will be interesting to visit the fort in the old part of the city, Presidential palace, Royal Botanical Garden Kandy, elephant nursery, Yami-ul-Affa mosque, the palace of the last king of Kandy.
lion mountain, located in Sigiriya, is a giant monolith, on top of which there is a fortress. This attraction is interesting for many facts related to the Buddha.
Big interest for tourists is an elephant nursery, which regularly brings baby elephants who have suffered from poachers or left without parents.
No less interesting is a visit to the turtle farm, where 5 species come from afar every year sea ​​turtles to lay eggs. All these species of turtles are protected by law.
Being in Sri Lanka, you can always find a lot of exotic and even extreme entertainment: diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, rafting, fishing, camping safari, sea or river trip kayaks and canoes, a helicopter tour, a hot air balloon ride, a jeep safari or even an elephant ride.

National features:

The national characteristics of the inhabitants of Sri Lanka have been formed for many centuries mainly under the influence of religions and, first of all, Buddhism.
Generally locals always friendly, welcoming and ready to help in any way. But, going on vacation to this country, you should be aware of some rules of courtesy.
- When entering the temple, you must always take off your hat and shoes, and your back, knees and shoulders must be covered. This rule also applies to ancient, dilapidated temples.
- You can not shake hands with the monks and even touch them. You can say hello by placing the palms of your hands together and raising them to the level of your forehead. You also cannot sit on the same level with a monk, only below him. In no case should you sit if a monk is standing nearby. Front seats in public transport always reserved for monks.
- It is considered bad form to walk down the street in an embrace, holding hands and kissing in public places.
- Women are not allowed to sit in the front seat next to the driver, walk in too open clothes, sunbathe topless.
- To photograph local residents, you first need to ask their permission. You can not take pictures with the Buddha statue, standing with your back to it.
- At dinner in restaurants, men are not allowed to appear in shorts.

Traditions and customs:

In Sri Lanka, five days a week are considered working days, and days off, in addition to Saturday and Sunday, are considered full moon days, which are intended for meditation. The main religious holidays here are determined by lunar calendar.
On February 4, Independence Day is celebrated here. Celebrations are held in Colombo at Independence Square and in Jayawardenapur in front of the new Parliament building.
New Year Sinhalese and Tamils ​​celebrate April 14th. This holiday is not considered religious and is celebrated everywhere in different ways. The time of the new year is always calculated by astrologers. At the appointed hour, it is customary to light a fire in the kitchen and prepare traditional kiribat and curry dishes. On this holiday, people wear new clothes and exchange gifts with each other.
Each month has its own special full moon festival.

KitchenSri Lanka:

Sri Lankan cuisine. Sri Lankan cuisine is quite similar to Indian cuisine. In cooking, the same basic products are used here: fish, tropical fruits, a lot of greens, spices.
The basis of the usual daily diet here is rice and curry. Curry is a whole group of fish dishes, various seafood, meat, poultry, legumes, vegetables and fruits, united by a peculiar combination of spices ground into powder, called curry. The essential components of the mixture include black pepper, hot chili, coriander, mustard seeds, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, corn, garlic and leaves of the evergreen curry bush. There are many variations of this mixture.
Coconut shavings, coconut oil, coconut juice and palm nectar are essential components of many Sri Lankan dishes.
In addition to curries, Sri Lankan cuisine is characterized by dishes made from rice flour, such as vermicelli or flatbread.

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Sri Lanka (Ceylon): flags, capital

Official capital the island state of Sri Lanka - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte), and The largest city countries and the actual capital is Colombo. The words "Sri Lanka" are traditionally translated from Sanskrit as "Blessed Land", although the more correct is not "Earth", but "Island". The former name of Sri Lanka was Ceylon.

Modern complete official name country - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The official capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is small town in the agglomeration of Colombo - the largest city in the country. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the seat of the country's parliament, as well as various government departments and Supreme Court Sri Lanka. Colombo, the de facto capital of the country, is also its administrative, political and economic centre.

• Serendib (pre-Singhal era),
• Tambapanni (from the founding of the Sinhalese state to the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505),
• Ceylon (from 1505 to 1815),
• British Ceylon from 1815 to 1948 (actually from 1817, since the Kingdom of Kandy existed before that time),
• Dominion of Ceylon from 02/04/1948 to 1972 (after gaining independence from Britain, the country became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations),
• Republic of Sri Lanka from 1972 to 1978,
• Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka since 1978.

Often you can meet the question of the correct placement of stress in the name of the country "Sri Lanka": L A nka or lank A? However, based on the original name, neither of the two options will be correct. The stress in the word "Lanka" is not put, since in the Sinhalese language there is no stress, but there are only long and short sounds, and in this case only short ones are used.

Flags of Ceylon and Sri Lanka

Throughout history, the colors and motifs of the flags of the island nation have changed many times. The following shows exactly how this has been expressed over the past two centuries.

History of changing the flags of Sri Lanka

Modern state flag The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the result of many years of transformation of its parts and elements since the state gained independence. The symbolism of the latest modern version is shown below. national flag Sri Lanka.

• 1815-02/04/1948 British Ceylon

A new flag was created, based on the British flag and placed on a blue background in the upper left corner and the symbolism of the country (in the understanding of the British colonizers) in the form of a satellite in the middle right.

• 02/04/1948-03/02/1951 Dominion of Ceylon

In 1948, after the liberation of the island from colonial dependence on Great Britain, the new republic adopted official flag the last independent Kingdom of Kandy (1469-1815). It depicts the symbol of the country - the Sinhalese lion with a raised sword in its paw and 4 decorative elements at the corners of the canvas.

• 03/02/1951-05/22/1972 Ceylon

Colored stripes have been added to the flag, occupying 1/7 of the flag's area - the colors of the country's ethno-religious minorities: Muslim Moors and Hindu Tamils.

• 1972 - to date Democratic Republic Sri Lanka

Four stylized leaves of the Bo tree (one of the symbols of Buddhism) were added to the composition at the corners of the flag, replacing the previous ornament.

Flag of the Republic of Sri Lanka: symbols

After the flag of the Kingdom of Kandy was adopted as the basis, the changes and additions indicated above were made to it. Their appearance was associated primarily with the interethnic problems of the Sri Lankan society.

As a result, the interpretation of the symbolism of the national flag of Sri Lanka has been used by various political forces in the past and continues to be used now in the interests, mainly aimed at increasing the sharpness national question rather than looking for common ground.

The Sinhalese lion is the national symbol of Sri Lanka.

After Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1948, the question arose of creating a banner new republic. To develop the layout of the flag, a special committee was created, which decided to return to the version of the flag of the last free Sinhalese kingdom, used during the reign of King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (Sri Vikrama Rajasinha): it depicted a Sinhalese lion on a maroon background.

Despite the fact that lions are not found in Sri Lanka, the choice of a symbol would seem somewhat strange. However, the fact is that the appearance of the Sinhalese lion symbol itself dates back to the time of Prince Vijay, who landed on the island in 543 BC. with a flag with a lion on it. According to legend, the founder of the Sinhalese nation came from India, where lions in those days were found in large quantities. So, having appeared as the flag of Prince Vijay, over time, the Sinhalese lion was fixed as a symbol of royal power. For example, the paws of a lion on the flag of the kingdom of Kandy meant the stability of Sri Lanka, its steadfastness; and equal distances from the paws to the body and from the body to the crown symbolized the equality of the ruler and the law.

The island of Sri Lanka consistently attracts many tourists every year. This is not surprising: beautiful nature, rich history and culture, excellent beaches, wonderful climate... We will talk about all these features of the island in the article. We invite you to discover this amazing place like the island of Sri Lanka.

Briefly about Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka - very ancient country also known as Ceylon. Boundless and vast are the pride of this island. The local population adheres to traditions, but at the same time, there is freedom of religion in Sri Lanka. A bunch of sacred temples(mainly Buddhist) and relics attract pilgrims from all over the world to this country. The mysterious southern Sri Lanka attracts different categories of tourists. They come here to see the world full of exotics, enjoy nature, and swim in the waters of the Indian Ocean. The local beaches with golden sand are amazing.

In Sri Lanka, you will find hidden bays and bays, underwater coral gardens, as well as the remains of sunken ships and much more ... Rest on the ocean coast, familiarization with Buddhist shrines, national natural parks, the secrets of growing tea and its production, communication with cheerful and open Sri Lankans - all this guarantees you an unforgettable experience of visiting this island.

Where is Sri Lanka on the map?

This one is located on small island in the Indian Ocean. The list of historical values ​​protected by UNESCO (total 130) includes seven objects located on this island. Sri Lanka - ancient state with deep traditions and rich history. This is the center of Buddhism, where important monuments of this teaching are located. However, not only historical heritage forms the exoticism of the country. Sri Lanka on the map is only 800 kilometers from the equator. Here you will find all the riches of the tropical islands. The Sri Lankans say that they know only three colors - the blue of the ocean and the sky, the yellow tones of the beaches and the green of the vegetation.

Flight from Moscow to Sri Lanka

Currently there is only one direct flight Moscow - Sri Lanka (Colombo). At the same time, it operates only in winter and does not have a strict schedule. The charter flight Moscow - Sri Lanka is carried out by Aeroflot. The distance from Moscow to Colombo is about 6700 km. Therefore, the travel time is approximately 8.5 hours.

Sri Lanka: time and climate

Those who are going to the island will probably be interested in the difference in time here. On the island, time is 1.5 hours ahead of Moscow in summer, and in winter - 2.5. As for the climate, it is both subequatorial and equatorial monsoon here. It is complicated by the relief, as well as the orientation of the island, its location from north to south. About 29-31 ° C is the average annual temperature in the flat terrain of the island of Sri Lanka. The season practically does not affect the temperature. In the mountainous part, it varies from 16 to 24 °C. All year round, the sea temperature is above 25 ° C on the island of Sri Lanka. In January, therefore, you can safely swim, as in July.

As for humidity, it is high here and almost always exceeds 75%. Rainfall - from 1000 (eastern and northern regions) to 5000 mm per year ( southwest coast). From May to September, the rainy season lasts, which causes the southwest monsoon. The northeast monsoon determines inclement weather from October to April on the island of Sri Lanka. The rainy season, however, can shift somewhat in time. It depends on the area. In general, Sri Lanka has a very favorable climate for tourism. In January, when it is cold in our country and you really want summer, tours here are very popular.

Island population

The population of this island is about 18 million people. Of these, more than 500 thousand people live in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The ethnic composition of the population is rich. This is a multinational country. Its population consists of Tamils, Sinhalese, Burghers (descendants of the Dutch and Portuguese) and Moors.

Language and religion

Singali is the official language in Sri Lanka. Also, Tamil and English are equated to the state. As we have already mentioned, Buddhism is very common on the island. In addition to him, the main religions are Christianity, Islam, Judaism. The island of Sri Lanka does not impose strict requirements on clothing, however, it is not recommended to visit temples in clothes with bare shoulders and back, in shorts. Also, you must take off your shoes at the entrance. Buddhists are approximately 70% of the population, Tamils ​​(Hindu) - 15%, Christians - 8%, Muslims - 7%. In this country, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, but the dominant position here is given to Buddhism.

Attractions

Many attractions for every taste offers the island of Sri Lanka. Tours here will be of interest to various categories of tourists. Sri Lanka's Resort Triangle is the most popular excursion program on the island. It includes acquaintance with three cities - Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Let's talk about each of them.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is the first capital of the Sinhalese state. This city is unique, it was built in the 2nd century. BC e. In his lifetime, he has seen 113 kings. The exact date of the founding of Anuradhapura is unknown. According to the astrological tradition of the Indo-Aryans, he was named after Anuradha, a star located in the constellation Scorpio. King Pandukabhaya in 380 BC e. approved this city as the capital. To the west of it, the Basawak Kulam reservoir was built to supply the population with water. The city in its heyday occupied an area of ​​about 52 square meters. km, and its population reached several tens of thousands. In the 1st century A.D. e. water pipes, bridges and roads, palaces, temples, monasteries, cemeteries and hospitals were built.

For 1.4 thousand years, Anuradhapura was the capital. This is a real masterpiece of Sri Lankan architecture. And in our time, Anuradhapura is the capital of Buddhism. In order to visit it, many tourists come to the island of Sri Lanka every year. The city is located on the Aruvi River. Tourism is developed here, agricultural products are processed, as well as a number (woodcarving, etc.).

Polonnaruwa

The next city, Polonnaruwa, was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century. This is one of the main cultural and historical centers of the country. To this day, Hindu and ruins have survived Royal Palace. The main attraction of the city is Gal Vihara (12th century BC). These are 4 huge Buddha statues carved into a granite rock.

Kandy

Kandy is the center of Buddhism and religious capital islands. An artificial lake has been created in the center of this city. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada-Maligawa) is located on its shore (pictured below).

The city is rich historical monuments. These include the courtyard and the palace of the last king of Kandy. Here there is Archaeological Museum, near which there are a botanical garden and a university with a picturesque campus. Not far from these historical monuments are rubber and tea plantations. Kandy is located 116 km from the capital of the island, Colombo. It is famous as a center of crafts and arts, as well as bazaars, lapidaries, and a museum of jewels. This place is great for sightseeing and shopping. Nearby you will find views of the legendary mountains with beautiful Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Piradenia

Piradeniya (Royal Botanical Garden) is located 4 km from Kandy. This is one of the largest gardens in Asia. Here is a large collection tropical plants and trees. Gardeners of the island were divided into park areas large hilly area. In these zones, various types of tropical flora are represented. Another interesting feature garden is over a hundred species of ornamental orchids growing here.

Dambula

Another local attraction is Dambula. This temple was built in the 1st century BC. e., bearing the name of the Sleeping Buddha. It is the largest in South Asia cave temple. Dambula consists of five caves. Not only the temple itself, but also its painting is the largest in South Asia. Dambul has a huge collection of Buddha statues. Many of them are over two thousand years old.

Mount Sigiriya

We also recommend visiting the Lion Rock (Mount Sigiriya). This picturesque mountain is located in the center of the island of Sri Lanka and is one of its main attractions. lion rock protected by UNESCO. On this mountain, at an altitude of about 180 meters, built picturesque city. It is surrounded by gardens with pools, fountains and unusual stairs, the steps of which are carved between the jaws, throat and paws of a huge lion. One of the attractions of this place is a gallery of frescoes, which depict a procession of half-naked palace ladies or princesses, who seem to be floating in the air. These frescoes are covered with a special composition of egg white mixed with honey from wild bees. And to this day their bright colors have not faded. Today, unfortunately, only 17 of the 500 frescoes have survived.

Adam's Peak

Another one interesting mountain- Adam's Peak. Since ancient times it has been a place of pilgrimage for believers. They climb this mountain in order to touch with their lips the sacred footprint located at the top. Muslims believe that this is where Adam, the first man, first set foot on earth.

Colombo

The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo. There are many temples, cathedrals and mosques here. The most famous temple is Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. It is an excellent example of Sinhalese art and architecture. The frescoes that adorn the walls of the building tell us about the numerous lives of the Buddha. For example, about how he visited the temple, about the legends and myths associated with his name. Other sights of Colombo include the temple of St. Anthony and Peter, the Cathedral of St. Lucy, Jamul Alfar (the main mosque of Sri Lanka), as well as the Hindu temples Old and New Katiresan and Ganeshan.

Nuwara Eliya

A bunch of interesting places offers tourists Sri Lanka. The weather, however, may not allow you to see all the sights of this country. On hot days, many prefer the beach to trips around the island. However, weather inconvenience can be avoided if Nuwara Eliya (Sri Lanka) is your choice. The weather here is rarely too hot for walking. The Nuwara Eliya resort is located at an altitude of about 1900 m above sea level. It is located at the foot of Pidurutalagala. This mountain is the most high peak Sri Lanka. Here you will enjoy a favorable mild climate (temperature averages 15-20 degrees), as well as mountain landscapes, picturesque valleys and meadows. All this makes this place popular resort. Nuwara Eliya, the land of a blessed climate, is also known as "Little England" as it is called on the island of Sri Lanka. Tours here have been in constant demand for many years.

Elephant Orphanage and Bo Tree

The elephant orphanage, owned by the state, is located in the city of Pinnawala. It was created to save animals that suffered from poachers or were left without parents. Today it is home to over 60 elephants.

Sri Lanka is the country where the Bo tree grows, which is considered the tallest in the world. He is over two thousand years old. We also recommend visiting the endless tea plantations. This is the pride of Sri Lanka, thanks to which the island has gained worldwide fame. Sri Lankan spices, gems, exotic fruits, batik are also very popular.

Transport

You should pay attention to the fact that in this country the left-hand traffic. Most of the roads are in highlands. Traffic rules are almost not observed by either pedestrians or drivers. In this regard, it is best to rent a car with a driver in Sri Lanka. Prices for this type of service are reasonable - estimated cost for 1 km is 20 cents. You can also rent a car for personal trips. At your hotel reception you can get necessary information about transport in Sri Lanka. Car rental prices start at $20 per day.

National cuisine

The cuisine here, even close to the European version familiar to us, is quite spicy. The most popular type of food in hotels is Buffet. Those who do not like spicy food should consult with the waiter about what to take. Mineral water, like other drinks, in Sri Lanka is not included in the price of dinner or lunch. This island is especially beneficial for vegetarians.

Curried rice is the most common food item in Sri Lanka. Seafood dishes (try lobster and prawns), fish, meat, vegetables and poultry are also popular here.

It is not recommended to abuse local strong drinks. The main one is arak. This is coconut moonshine, which even the local population does not drink much, but for a change, you can try a little.

On the island you will find inexpensive and wonderful tropical fruits: avocados, bananas (more than two hundred varieties), papaya, mangoes, avocados, oranges, coconuts, etc. Pineapples are especially good here.

Tips

Usually bills of bars, restaurants and hotels already include a tip, which is 12.5%. You can decide for yourself whether to give more. It is customary to give tips to porters, drivers and guides. They, as a rule, are expected from Russian tourists, but not from the Germans.

One of the best holiday destinations is Sri Lanka. The time spent here is never forgotten.

Hello, dear readers - seekers of knowledge and truth!

Sri Lanka is an unusual country for a European that attracts thousands of tourists every year. It can surprise you with picturesque beaches, high hills with an unforgettable view, as well as a warm climate, unique monuments, 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 were 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 state in southern Asia, which is 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 intervention 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", headed by the president. Today, numerous tourists flock here, which makes 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, which are 2.5 thousand years old;
• temples of Buddhism;
• rich flora and fauna;
• precious and semi-precious stones;
• herb plantations;
• mountain slopes;
• idyllic beaches;
• warm sea;
• historical monuments, among which eight are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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

Geography

On the world map, the island is quite easy to find - it is located about a hundred kilometers south of India, southeast of India. southern edge Hindustan, separated from it by the western Gulf of Mannar, the Polk 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 area of ​​​​the Polk Strait there is an isthmus that used to connect Sri Lanka with Hindustan. However, in the 15th century, several earthquakes occurred, due to which the shoal went under water. Now this place is called "Adam's Bridge".

Geography of Sri Lanka in numbers:

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

The island ends in the north with Cape Pedro, in the south with Cape Dondra, in the west with Cape Dutch Bay. At the same time, one percent of the state is made up of small islands near the "sapphire".

The main water arteries can be called:

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

Kalu River

From Sanskrit, "Sri" is translated as "holy", "Lanka" - "earth".

The current republic consists of nine provinces and twenty-five districts. Since 1982, the city with the unpronounceable name of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte has become the capital - 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 residence of the president is also located here.

Climate

The weather pleases residents and visitors all year round - the average temperature is about 27 degrees. IN high season- from October to March, when the cold rages in Russia, here the air 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, it often rains: on the west coast - in May-October, on the east coast - in December-May. However, they do not interfere with enjoying the rest, because they are short and go mainly at night.

Relief and landscape

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

• Mountains and hills

Mostly they are located in the central part, most of the tea plantations are concentrated here. Mountains can reach 2-2.5 thousand meters.

The most high mountain- Pidurutalagala - exceeds the mark of 2520 meters.

• Rainforests
• Coast with lowlands and beautiful beach areas.

Nature

Striking diversity. lives here a large number of species different representatives animal and plant world:

• 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, an elephant. They are found everywhere here. However, their population is declining compared to former 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, and there is a gradual decline in population. On average, males live up to 73 years, females - up 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 the 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 state languages. Often you can hear English, which is used by representatives of different ethnic groups to communicate.

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

The inhabitants themselves call their homeland simply - Lanka.

In recent decades, the tourism sector has been rapidly developing on the island. People come here not just on vacation, but more and more often - for the winter from northern countries. Some foreigners even aspire to get a job here. permanent place residence.

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

Culture and religion

The cultural component of the Sri Lankans - that 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, and 7 are Christians.

Many holidays and memorable places are connected precisely with religious beliefs, first of all, of course, with Buddhist philosophy, which appeared on the island as early as the 3rd century BC.

Theravada monks in Sri Lanka

Many religious places 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 weekend, which should be devoted to meditation practices;
• Navam Perahera - celebrated in February as the first gathering of Buddhists of the year; accompanied by dances, music, ceremonial processions, the main thing takes place in the Colombian Gangaramay;
• Esala Perahera - a holiday dedicated to the first sermon of the Teacher in Sri Lanka, is celebrated for two weeks; the central event is the removal of the tooth of the Buddha, the main relic of the island. It is kept in the temple of Kandy - the most important Buddhist center in Sri Lanka.

The symbol of the island in the 80s of the last century was the star - the sacred flower of Buddhists.

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 of the aircraft. Direct flights are operated only from Moscow, and not every day, travel time is 8-10 hours. From other cities, charters are possible as part of tour packages.

You can often fly to the Sri Lankan coast 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 electronic form on the embassy website, and receive a visa upon arrival. This visa costs $35.

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

To the main resort towns relate:

• Unawatuna;
• Hikaduwa;
• Mirissa;
• Beruwala;
• Kalutara;
• Negombo;
• Bentota;
• Kosgoda;
• Colombo;
• Kalutara
• Halle;
• Hambantota;
• Induruwa;
• Tangalle.

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

Summing up, 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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