The island of Sri Lanka consistently attracts many tourists every year. This is not surprising: beautiful nature, rich history and culture, great 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 is a very ancient country which is 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. Many sacred temples (mainly Buddhist) and relics attract pilgrims from all over the world to this country. 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 unforgettable experience from visiting this island.

Where is Sri Lanka on the map?

This one is located on a small island in Indian Ocean. In the list of protected by UNESCO historical values(total 130) listed seven objects located on this island. Sri Lanka is an 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 country's exoticism. Sri Lanka on the map is only 800 kilometers from the equator. Here you will find all riches 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). However, it only works in winter time and has no strict timetable. Chartered flight Moscow - Sri Lanka is carried out by Aeroflot air carrier. 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%. The amount of precipitation is 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. Ethnic composition 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 state 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 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 the religious capital of the island. 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. Presented here big collection tropical plants and trees. The gardeners of the island have divided into park areas a 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 cave temple in South Asia. 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 they have not dimmed bright colors. 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

Many 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 a 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 located in the mountains. 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 - the estimated cost for 1 km is 20 cents. You can also rent a car to make personal travel. At the front desk at your hotel, you can get the 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.

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". Apart from beautiful beaches and tea in Sri Lanka is a large number of historical sights, ranging from Buddhist and Hindu monasteries and temples, and ending with 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. From all sides Sri Lanka is washed by Pacific Ocean. In the northwest it has maritime border with India, and in the southwest with the Maldives. total area this country - 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 in central, western and southern regions the island continues the monsoon (rainy) season. 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. average temperature sea ​​in January - + 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 - festival kites, the Hindu festival of Navarathri; 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. Home food local residents- 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.

Made in Sri Lanka alcoholic drinks- low-alcohol "toddy" (from the juice of the coconut palm) and "arrack" (30-40%, from the juice of the coconut palm).

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:

1. Buddhist temple Dalada Maligawa (it houses the tooth of the Buddha)
2. Fort in Colombo
3. Sigiriya fortress
4. Dawatagaha Mosque in Colombo
5. Cave Buddhist temple in Aluvihara
6. Hindu monastery Kochchikade in Colombo
7. Ruins of the city of Anuradhapura
8. Palace of King Cassiapa on the "Lion Mountain"
9. Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla
10. Buddha's footprints on Sri Pada

Cities and resorts

Most big cities Sri Lanka - 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 most best beach in Sri Lanka it is Mount Lavinia near Colombo. All local beach resorts have good infrastructure for relax. Also there is 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: Sinhalese, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.

AT warm waters In 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 british isles or the United States will not fully understand the Sri Lankan, although both 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 others 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! The locals don't follow the rules traffic. They can stop their vehicle whenever you want and where you want, just to let a cow through or go out to say hello to an acquaintance who was suddenly seen 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 most Big city on the island and largest port 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 with multi-story houses and skyscrapers. And only here do temples belonging to representatives of three religions 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 interesting 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 beautiful, quiet town, which has many universities, colleges. The Sri Lankan parliament sits here. It was specially built for him. luxury building 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.

Animal world 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

Sri Lanka

An amazingly beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, which was once called Serendib, offers travelers to experience all the colors of life! Give in to the curiosity that lives inside, and chance will reward you. majestic wonders discoveries ... It can be a virgin-beautiful beach, wealth historical heritage, the healing power of Ayurveda, the adrenaline of sports adventures, the breathtaking whirlwind of colorful festivals, the diversity of culture and culinary traditions, the scenic beauties of the highlands, as well as the unspoilt wild nature with its numerous animal inhabitants. We can say that Sri Lanka is a miracle island. This is a country with the richest 2500 thousand years of unique history. 11 UNESCO protected sites are located on the island. It is here that the oldest tree on the planet grows, which is already more than 2500 years old. And finally, the goodwill, hospitality and smiles of the friendly inhabitants of the island successfully complement the enchanting beauty of this amazing country!

Capitals: Sri Jayawardenep ura Kotte and Colombo

Geographic characteristics

Sri Lanka is a state in South Asia off the southeast coast of Hindustan. Until 1972, the country was known as Ceylon. The area of ​​the island is 65.5 thousand square meters. km, and in shape the island resembles a tea drop (very symbolic) or, as some believe, a pear. 80% of the island is an unchanging plain, dissected by rocks, 20% is a mountainous country, where the height of the peaks reaches two thousand meters above sea level, and the forested slopes are dissected by stormy rivers and waterfalls.

Population

Sri Lanka is a multinational state where people of different cultures and religions live together. In total, the country has just over 21 million inhabitants. 75% of them are Sinhalese who profess Buddhism, 16% are Tamils ​​(profess Hinduism), 7% are Moors and Malays who are Muslims, and the so-called burghers live on the island (children from mixed marriages of Sri Lankans with immigrants from Europe), professing Christianity. The caste structure is clearly expressed on the island. Agricultural castes predominate, and other caste groups with traditional occupations also stand out. The lowest position in the hierarchy is occupied by the untouchable "Rodi".

Interesting facts about the capital

The official capital of Sri Lanka is not Colombo at all, as many people think. The official capital of the South Asian island nation Sri Lanka has been considered Sri Jayawardenep ura-Kotte since the early 80s. This is the longest name of the capital of the existing ones (exceeds the Brunei Bandar Seri Bega van by as much as 6 characters). Such a complex, Orientally refined name is actually not so difficult to decipher: Sri in Sanskrit is magnificent, blessed (which gives Sri Lanka the meaning of “blessed land”); Junius Richard Jayawardene (1906 -1996) - famous Sri Lankan politician, President of Sri Lanka from 1978 to 1989, pura or pur - in many Indo-Aryan languages ​​​​means a city (example: Singapore - lion city), Kotte - the old name of the city, which it had before the transfer of administrative institutions here. During the years of the existence of an independent Sri Lankan state, the hypertrophy of Colombo became defiantly noticeable, so the government decided to at least partially unload The largest city center. In Sri Jayawardenep ura-Kotte are the residences of a number of the highest authorities of Sri Lanka (parliament, supreme court). At the same time, Colombo, the former official capital and the largest city on the island (population about 1 million inhabitants), continues to be considered the economic and actual capital. The president and the government of the country continue to work there.

Official language

Sinhalese and Tamil are considered the national languages ​​of Sri Lanka, and are also widely used English language(10% of the population owns it as a native).

Weather forecast

The average air temperature during the year in Sri Lanka ranges from 26 to 30 degrees. In the highlands in winter it can drop to 15 degrees during the day and 5 at night. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean averages around 26 degrees all year round. There is no rainy season as such, but there are periods in autumn and spring when rain can start at any time and in any part of the island. Almost 95% of all precipitation falls during the rainy summer season, from May to the end of October, mostly in the afternoon and at night. For the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the dry season lasts from October to April, and for the northeast coast from March to November.

Time

Time on the island is 2.5 hours behind Belarusian time.

What to buy

It's just impossible to go amazing island You can’t bring anything with you to Sri Lanka, because this country is simply replete with a special culture, breathtaking landscapes and very unusual people ... Yes, the most memorable thing on the island is people, but you can’t bring them all with you, so it’s better to enjoy their company on the spot, and bring fragments of their culture with you.

Ceylon tea, that's just a must-have after traveling to the famous island. Only it is better to buy it either during excursions to tea plantations or in special stores major cities. After all, I want to drink the best tea to my loved ones, and not a “trick” from bags.

Very attractive prices on the island for precious stones. Rubies, amethysts, garnets, topazes, moonstones… and, of course, blue sapphire is considered the king of Sri Lanka. But jewelry must also be bought in specialized stores, which must issue the appropriate checks and export certificates.

And the country is also famous for batik, i.e. silk painting. Bright, colorful and pleasant to the touch products made of silk will not leave anyone indifferent.

You can also bring spices and spices (this is still Asia), handicrafts, wooden masks, leather goods, bamboo, rattan, coconut and many other materials. In cities, you can buy inexpensive, but high-quality textile products of famous world brands of local production. Best Places for shopping in Colombo, these are Odel, House of Fashion, Magestic City stores.

In which corner of Sri Lanka to relax

Most of Sri Lanka's beach resorts are located south of the country's capital, Colombo.

Negombo is popular tourist resort, located about 12 km from the airport of Sri Lanka, north of Colombo. Negombo is a fishing village, but it is sure to be remembered by any traveler. Negombo is very popular among fish and seafood lovers. Fishermen catch an incredible amount of shrimp, lobster and crabs here. All these seafood are skillfully cooked on an open fire in numerous taverns located right on the beach. Well, lovers of romance can leave the beach, against which the foamy waves of the sea beat, and go in search of beautiful lagoons.

The city of Polonnaruwa is an ideal non-beach resort for lovers sightseeing holiday. It is located in the central part of the country, so all the main sightseeing trails are accessible from here.

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, located on the southwest coast of the island. It is famous for its five-star hotels, which are good for both comfortable living and business. The hotels are equipped with a full range of services - restaurants, swimming pools, fitness centers, conference rooms, business centers, nightclubs and much more needed for a comfortable and unforgettable stay.

Mount Lavinia is located 12 km south of Colombo. The highlight of the resort are the famous beaches, which gained their popularity back in the days of the English colony, mainly due to the proximity to the capital. Those wishing to spend a quiet day on the beach in relative seclusion (compared to Colombo) will definitely like it here. Here, dry clean sand, crystal water and calm sea.

Kalutara is a place ideal for practicing all kinds of water sports. Windsurfing is especially popular water skiing, spearfishing and even sailing. The city stands on the "Black River" Kalu Ganga, one of the largest on the island. To the north of the bridge that connects the two banks of the Kalu Ganga, there is a very nice beach with several luxury hotels and a water entertainment center. Kalutara is not a cheap resort, budget tourists have nothing to “catch” here.

Hikkaduwa is a popular resort that was the first in Sri Lanka to receive foreign tourists. Wadduwa got its name from the famous local doctors or veda doova. It is Hikkaduwa that is considered the best dive resort in all of Sri Lanka, so the standard picture of these places is a breathtaking view of numerous surfers conquering the waves with might and main ...

Bentota is a resort for romantics. Very often this place is chosen by newlyweds for honeymoon trip. Rivers and seas flow together here, and at the place of their intersection is the most famous local beach, sheltering its vacationers from the heat with branches of coconut palms. The beach is conveniently located also because there are several good hotels, and from hotels it is already easy to get to shops, and to cafes, discos and even railway- everything is nearby!

Weligama or "Sand Village" has found its place under the sun in a large picturesque bay, the beauty of which can be enjoyed for hours, preferably at sunset and in its eastern part. There is also the headquarters of surfers who really appreciate the local waves. In the opposite direction, in the west, the opposite is true - the water is quiet, calm and azure-clear, like a royal sapphire.

Tangalle is famous for its magnificent yet deserted beaches, which are considered among the best in Sri Lanka for giving the skin a chocolate shade. On the southwestern coast of the island it is difficult to find a place like this. Here you can not meet a single person, walking along picturesque coast stretching for several kilometers. In addition, this resort offers all types of accommodation - from budget apartments to exclusive hotels.

What to watch

Holidays in Sri Lanka are not bathing and felting. This is the knowledge of such a distant, mysterious and sometimes completely incomprehensible culture. Of course, the numerous sights of the country will help in this.

Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, was busy seaport back in the Middle Ages. Merchants from China, Persia and Morocco sold and bought pearls, precious stones, spices, elephants here. Later, Colombo was captured by the Dutch, the Portuguese, the British, and all of them left their mark on the appearance of this almost 1 million city. Many churches and monuments are built in the European medieval style. The sights of modern Colombo are impressive Hindu and Buddhist temples, National Museum, one of the best zoos in Asia Dehiwela, as well as large shopping centers. Tourists visiting Colombo in February can attend the traditional Navam parade. On this day, believers come to bow to the shrines of the main Buddhist temple of Colombo, and the largest elephant carries the holy relics on its back.

Anuradhapura is the largest city of ancient Ceylon and its first capital. There are 2 World Heritage Sites here. The first is the sacred Bo tree, which, according to legend, was grown more than 2250 years ago from the shoot of the same tree, under which the inspiration descended on Prince Siddhartha. The second is the famous bronze palace built 2000 years ago by King Duthugamunu.

The majestic Mount Sigiriya (protected by UNESCO) is one of the main attractions of Ceylon. A stone fortress built on it in the 5th century was a safe haven for the king. The remains of a mirror wall, gardens, fountains, and pools are still preserved here. After a short climb to the top between the giant lion's paws carved into the rock, your eyes will open 11 amazing frescoes of that time - half-naked dancers. The images are applied with vegetable paints, which still - for 15 centuries - retain their brightness.

In Pollonaruwa, the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sinhalese state have been preserved. Here you can see the remains of a palace that once shone with splendor. The Watadage Temple is the best preserved. Four statues of the seated Buddha face the entrance to the temple.

The majestic mountains of Dambulla (protected by UNESCO) evoke a sense of closeness to the past. This monastery was built in the 1st century BC and is still in operation. Here, in amazing cave temples, the largest of which reaches 50 m in width and 6 m in height, there are more than 200 Buddha statues. The walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes, which are masterpieces of temple wall painting.

Nuwara Eliya - mountain resort in the heart of the island, a favorite vacation spot for British officials. A winding road leads into the city, surrounded by waterfalls, and the air is clean and cool. Everything here is built in the English style - houses, buildings, golf courts, so Nuwara Eliya has earned the name "little England". On the nearby mountain slopes (2000 m above sea level) the best black tea in the world is grown.

Kandy is located 100 km northeast of Colombo. There is an artificial lake in the middle of the city. In this ancient capital of the Sinhalese kings, the traditions and art of the Sinhalese reached their fullest flowering and have survived to this day. The main attraction of Kandy is the Dalada Maligava temple, built on the shore of the lake. Here, under a golden canopy, lies an ancient relic - the Sacred Tooth of Buddha. Every year in late July - early August, the Perahera festival is held here. At night, a festive dance procession begins with torches, drums, eighty decorated elephants, fire-eaters are especially impressive.

Galle South Fort is one of the most amazing and original cities of the island, where all the religions represented in Sri Lanka coexist peacefully. Along the way, you can visit the mask factory at Amnalamgoda, where you can get acquainted with the traditions and beliefs of the Sri Lankan people through the art of woodcarving and painting masks. Here you can also buy souvenirs.

Not far from the resort of Bentota, in Kozgod, there are 5 species sea ​​turtles. Nearby are special farms where eggs laid by turtles are collected, and after hatching, they feed small turtles and release them into the sea. You can watch this process. On the farm, you can see both newborn turtles and adults.

Hikkaduwa city on south coast also called "coral reserve". Coral reefs attract diving enthusiasts with a variety of fish and turtles. In the crystal clear water, snorkel and mask are enough to see the delightful bright colors of the underwater world. Here you can also admire the fabulous undersea world riding a boat with a transparent bottom.

The most famous of national parks- Yala. The territory of the park is a savannah with small lakes. Interesting scenes of meetings of deer, wild boars and water birds usually develop here. characteristic feature parks are large, scattered over its territory mountain ranges- a favorite refuge of leopards and bears. In this park, you can also easily observe wild elephants (especially from January to May).

Many people know about the wonderful resorts on the island in the Indian Ocean. Where is Sri Lanka located?

The state is located on the island with the same name. Let's see where Sri Lanka is located on the world map. Surely everyone knows how to find India on the map. The island is located near the Indian subcontinent off its southeastern shores. The place where Sri Lanka is located, its proximity to the equator, determines the climate of the island. The climate of Sri Lanka is monsoonal, with wet and dry seasons.

History of Sri Lanka

This state has ancient history. The first inhabitants appeared on the island in the 6th century BC (official opinion, the results of archaeological excavations do not confirm it). Three centuries later Buddhist religion appears in the state.

From the 3rd century AD, the kingdom of the Sinhalese appeared on the island of Sri Lanka (in Russian translation - “blessed land”). In the 13th century, the decline of the monarchy begins. The Portuguese conquered the island in the 16th century.

In the 17th century, the newly formed Holland (Kingdom of the Netherlands) displaces the Portuguese colonists. At the beginning of the 19th century, the British Empire declares Ceylon (this name appeared after the Portuguese invasion) as its colony. On the island were established tea plantations, and Ceylon was among the main suppliers of tea.

After the Second World War, almost all the colonies of Great Britain became independent (however, the vast majority independence was relative, because the United States, the stronghold of imperialism, became the mother country). In 1948, Ceylon changed its status from "colony" to "dominion". In 1972, the state returned its former name - Sri Lanka.

In 1983, the country began Civil War. The main participants in the war were the government and the guerrilla movement "Tigers for the Liberation of Tamil Eelam". The fighting went on with varying success, several times the government sought a truce. In 2009, the partisanship was eliminated and the civil war ended.

The name of the country changed several times: at first it was called Sri Lanka, later Ceylon, since 1972 the former name has returned. Today the state is called the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The capital and largest city of the country Colombo.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country of ancient culture, interesting for tourists. There are located popular resorts where many thousands of tourists come. In addition, there is sacred places for people who profess Buddhism, and many pilgrims come here from all over the world. The map of the island has many interesting places visited by tourists. Popular excursion tours:

• Colombo;
• Halle;
• Anuradhapura;
• Dambulla;
• Sigiriya;
• Polonnaruwa.

Temple of the Tooth Relic

To see this attraction, must go to Kandy city(It is in his honor that one of the varieties of tea is named). In the temple you can see a golden stupa, inside which lies a relic - the tooth of the Buddha.

Associated with this relic curious story. After the deceased Buddha was sent to the funeral pyre (540 BC), four teeth were removed from the ashes. One of them ended up on the island of Sri Lanka and became a talisman for the royal dynasty. At the beginning of the 18th century, the talisman came to the city of Kandy. for storage the legendary tooth built a temple. The relic itself was hidden in seven caskets, each of them was hidden inside the other (an analogue of the Russian matryoshka).

Botanical garden in Peradeniya

After seeing the sights of the city of Kandy, it is worth visiting the suburbs - Peradeniya, where a large botanical garden is located. Tropical exotic lovers will visit the greenhouse of orchids - the queens of tropical forests.

On palm trees can be found different types palm trees - date, coconut and so on. One of the varieties of palms, talipovaya, is notable for the fact that in the 50th year of life it blooms and immediately dies. The leaves of the talip palm "with history": Buddhist texts were once written on them, and today the horoscope is written down.

In the botanical garden there is a Memorial Garden - trees planted here grow famous people(among them the Russian Emperor Nicholas II and the first cosmonaut Yu. Gagarin).

Anuradhapura ancient city

This is oldest city in sri lanka and the first capital of this state. As a result of archaeological research, it was possible to find out that the first structures appeared not in the 6th, but at least in the 10th century BC.

Since the 1950s, the inhabitants of Anuradhapura have been relocated to the so-called " new town". This was done to protect archaeological sites. AT " Old city» lovers of ancient history drop in.

Plateau "Doomsday"

This outlandish name was given to two viewing platforms, and one of them is called the "Small End of the World", and the other - the "Big End of the World". The difference is only in the depth of the cliff. So viewing platforms offers views of the mountains and the valley.

Interesting fact: both lookouts there are no fences or railings. Just beyond the edge begins a steep cliff. The price of carelessness is very high: an awkward step can end in a fall from high altitude and death.

Adam's Peak

It is the second highest mountain in Sri Lanka. From the Sinhalese language, the name of the mountain is translated as "mountain of butterflies". On a flat top, you can see a depression that looks like a trace from a human foot. According to legend, this is the footprint of the legendary saint - the Buddha. Another legend says that the water collected in this hollow-trace has healing properties.

A small open temple has been erected on top of Adam's Peak. Buddhist pilgrims come here, as well as tourists.

Beach resorts in Sri Lanka

The wonderful climate and warm sea attract fans of surfing, diving and just lazy people. beach holiday. There are many beach resorts on the map of Sri Lanka, where excellent conditions are created for vacationers. Here are some of the resorts:

• Beruwala;
• Koggala;
• Mirissa;
• Negombo;
• Colombo.

tea kingdom

It is impossible to leave this beautiful island without packages with the famous tea. It was from here that tea came to England, and then to Europe. Fine grades of tea are grown up on numerous tea plantations. Here you can buy real high-quality elite tea at very affordable prices.

Video

The video will introduce you to the history of this visionary country in more detail.