SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka's historical and cultural heritage covers more than 2,000 years. Known as Lanka--the "resplendent land"--in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, the island has numerous other references that testify to the island's natural beauty and wealth. Islamic folklore maintains that Adam and Eve were offered refuge on the island as solace for their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Asian poets, noting the geographical location of the island and lauding its beauty, called it the "pearl upon the brow of India." A troubled nation in the 1980s, torn apart by communal violence, Sri Lanka has more recently been called India's "fallen tear.

Location

Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India.

Geography

Strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes.

Capital

Colombo

Population

20,222,240

Climate

SeoulTropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October).

Language

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18% other 8%

Monetary Unit

Rupee (LKR)

Largest Cities

Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy

Principal rivers

Mahaweli Ganga, Aruvi Aru

Places to Visit

Colombo, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, Negombo

Air Ports

Incheon International Airport, Gimpo International Airport, Gimhae International Airport