Sri Lanka
Capital
Colombo (executive), Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative)
Population
~22.2 million
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Sinhala, Tamil (official)
- Religion
- Predominantly Theravada Buddhism (Sinhalese), significant Hindu (Tamil), Muslim, Christian minorities
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon; distinct wet seasons
Culture & History
Known for: tea production (Ceylon tea), long civil war (ended 2009), beautiful beaches, and rich biodiversity ('Pearl of the Indian Ocean')
Also famous for: Ancient cities (Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa), Buddhist heritage, spices, cricket
Food: Rice and curry, Kottu Roti, Hoppers (appa)
Brief History
Ancient kingdoms, Portuguese, Dutch, British colonization (Ceylon), independence 1948, ethnic conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils