Sri Lanka: Ceylon tea and a lot of pleasure. Sri Lanka - where is this country located and what is it like? Sri Lanka where is which country

Useful data for tourists about Sri Lanka, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Sri Lanka, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of Sri Lanka.

Geography of Sri Lanka

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon until 1972 Island state in South Asia.

Most of the island is occupied by a low plain, "broken" by outcrops of the crystalline foundation in the form of rocks and mesas. All southern part the islands are occupied by a low stepped mountain country Central array. The slopes are abundantly overgrown with forests and are dissected by short but stormy rivers. The most high point islands - Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m.).


State

State structure

Democratic Socialist Republic. Included in the Commonwealth. The head of state and government is the president, who has broad powers. The legislature is a unicameral parliament (National State Assembly).

Language

Official language: Sinhala

Almost the entire population speaks English.

Religion

Buddhists - 69%, Hindus - 15%, Christians - 8%, Muslims - 8%.

Currency

International name: LKR

1 Sri Lankan rupee is equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1.2.5 rupees. Large hotels and shops accept international credit cards for payment. Foreign currency imported into the country must be declared.

It is recommended to exchange money at Colombo airport. The check received at the official currency exchange should be kept until the end of the trip. In this case, when departing from Colombo, you have the opportunity to convert unspent money at the airport bank at the purchase rate. You can also exchange money at any hotel and bank.

History of Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka was inhabited about 100 thousand years ago and constantly attracted more and more new settlers, due to which a significant number of representatives of the most dissimilar races, cultures and religions concentrated in its small territory already in ancient times. This enriched the island and led to constant conflicts and wars.

In the 5th century BC, the Indo-Aryan conquerors created the first state here, which collapsed in the 5th century AD and was conquered by the Negroid South Indian tribes of the Tamils. In the 8th century, dominance again passed to the Aryan branch of the newcomers, and in the 15th century, three different ethnic kingdoms existed in Sri Lanka at once, continuously at war with each other. This was taken advantage of by the Portuguese colonialists, who established their dominance over the coast of the island in the 16th century, in the 17th century they were replaced by the Dutch. The British who came after them in 1796 declared the conquered region another royal colony - Ceylon. But they managed to conquer the island only in the first half of the 19th century.

The heavy foreign yoke, which turned the flourishing island into a raw material appendage of a distant metropolis, forced the local population more than once to rise in the struggle for liberation and suffer bitter defeats. Exploitation, intensified in connection with the First and Second World Wars and the acute economic crisis of the 1920s and 1930s, made the national-patriotic front more resolute, numerous and united.

The British government in 1948 had to grant independence to Ceylon as a dominion. In 1972, under pressure from the public, the island was proclaimed the Republic of Sri Lanka. All forms of political dependence on England were eliminated. Now this distant piece of land in Indian Ocean good-naturedly reveals its secrets to all lovers of ancient exoticism and shares the gentle sun and warm water.

The island of Sri Lanka was inhabited about 100 thousand years ago and constantly attracted more and more new settlers, due to which a significant number of representatives of the most dissimilar races, cultures and religions concentrated in its small territory already in ancient times. This enriched the island and led to constant conflicts and wars....

Popular Attractions

Sri Lanka Tourism

Popular hotels


Tips

It is not necessary to tip, often the payment for services (up to 10%) is included in the bill. However, hotel porters and porters expect small (20-30 rupees) tips. It is also supposed to thank the waiter with a small tip, but only for good service.

Visa

Office Hours

Banks are open from 9 am to 1 pm on weekdays. Shops are open from 10.00 to 22.00.

Souvenirs

Sri Lanka is known throughout the world for its precious stones: sapphires, rubies, amethysts, garnets, topazes, and especially the famous "moonstone", which is mined only here. It is recommended to purchase jewelry in specialized stores, requiring the issuance of an appropriate check or export certificate. The quality of the stones here is excellent, and the prices are relatively low. Also good souvenirs will be Ceylon tea, spices, aromatic oils, handicrafts, especially masks, batik, ceramics and leather. In cities, you can buy inexpensive high-quality textiles.

The medicine

There is a risk of infection with malaria, Japanese encephalitis B, hepatitis B, typhoid, Bengal cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, Dengue fever, etc., but only if elementary hygiene standards are not observed. Preventive vaccination against malaria (there is a risk of infection in the interior of the country) or the use of antimalarial tablets, as well as vaccination against hepatitis A and B, is recommended.

Security

It is not recommended to drink raw water and use ice sold on the street - it can be made from raw water. It is recommended to use only mineral water in plastic bottles with a factory stopper, and wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap. Be sure to thoroughly wash (and preferably scald) vegetables and fruits, and do not allow the seller to cut the fruit with his knife.

The island state of Sri Lanka is located on the map southeast of the Hindustan Peninsula. It attracts tourists who are tired of the bustle of big cities. A leisurely flow of life prevails here. The resort offers a relaxing holiday: magnificent beaches, fishing, diving, picnics in nature, visiting ancient sites.

Sri Lanka is washed by the Laccadive Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The island is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Strait of Pork. The coast is a lowland, including beaches, mountains rise closer to the center of the island.

Brief information about the country

Story

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has over 21 million people. The capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb of Colombo.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese who conquered these lands called them Ceilão, which the English read as Ceylon. Under this name, Sri Lanka has long been known to the whole world. From the Portuguese word came the name of tea, which the state supplies the whole world with.

Later, the country was occupied by Great Britain, making it its colony. Sri Lanka gained independence only in 1948. At the end of the 20th century, a fire broke out on its territory. Civil War The recovery continues to this day.

Capital

In 1982, the city of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, or simply Kotte, based around the fortress of the same name, became the capital of Sri Lanka. On the island in the middle of the lake, a parliamentary building was erected, where the country's government moved.

But the true heart of the state remains Colombo, the center of trade and business.

This is a typical Asian city, which combines ancient temples with modern skyscrapers, bustling avenues and measured Buddhist life. The city still retains zoning according to the type of activity of the population: the area of ​​artisans, the area of ​​merchants, the poor, and others, but today it is not so relevant.

Colombo is spread over a large area, its territory is dominated by one-, two-storey houses. It takes a couple of hours to get from one outskirts to another. Tourists generally prefer beach holiday and treat the capital as a transit point, but still there is something to see.

These are mainly architectural sights, including many temples. Also museums, a theater and even a casino, open especially for guests of the city. In the tourist area, life is in full swing at night. Here you can have a delicious dinner, go shopping at the mall and even visit night club.

Languages

Most of the population of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese. Their language, along with Tamil, is considered official. The proximity of India, Maldives and Malaysia had a significant impact on the change of languages, as well as the colonization of the lands by Britain, Holland and Portugal.

English language has the status of interethnic, but it is spoken mostly in cities and towns tourist areas. It also hosts business negotiations and business documentation.

Visa

Having a visa for Russians is a prerequisite for entering the country, but obtaining one is quite simple. It is enough to create an application in electronic form on the website eta.gov.lk (Russian language is supported), and then receive ETA permission in electronic form.

In order for your application to be approved, you need to follow a few rules:

  • until the end of the validity of the passport must remain at least six months;
  • availability of round-trip air tickets;
  • confirmation of financial viability in the form of an extract from a bank account;
  • children under 16 years of age must be entered in the adult's passport with a photo; if the child is traveling with one parent, permission from the other parent is required;
  • for children over 16 years old, their own complete set of documents is collected.

Some airlines allow visa on arrival. On board the aircraft, you must fill out a migration card, present it at customs along with return air tickets and a check and affix a permit stamp. Some companies may refuse such an opportunity.

Currency

The official currency of the state is the Sri Lankan rupee. Its course is distinguished by constancy, changes infrequently and smoothly.

You can also take dollars and euros on a trip and exchange them on the spot. There won't be much difference. Exchange at the airport is slightly less profitable. Outside of it, there are many opportunities to buy rupees: in banks, official exchange offices, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, tourist centers and other places. Frequent persons offer a slightly better exchange, but there is a risk of fraud in transactions with them.

What you should not do is to pay with dollars and euros in the markets and in small shops. Change will be given in local currency and at an extremely unfavorable rate.

The island of Sri Lanka on the map has many small settlements, before going there, you should stock up on local money.

Difference in time

The time zone in Sri Lanka is UTC +5.5, the difference with Moscow is 2.5 hours.

Climate

The climate in Sri Lanka is tropical, but it is influenced by the dominance of the monsoons.

Due to the winds in different parts of the island at the same time, there can be completely different weather:


Resorts in Sri Lanka. Tour prices

The island of Sri Lanka, on the map of which there are many beautiful beaches and interesting sights, can be attributed to not the most expensive segment. In different parts of the island, the level of infrastructure is different. The Russians fell in love with the southwestern coast, here you can most often meet compatriots.

Based on their feedback, best resorts:


Tour prices

Departure city Number of nights Number of people 1-3 * 4* 5* All inclusive
Moscow 7 2 from 70 000 from 89 000 from 95 000 from 110 000
St. Petersburg 7 2 from 90 000 from 105 000 from 115 000 from 135 000

The figures given show the general order of prices. The cost of tours depends on the time of year, the specific resort and hotel, airline, food and other factors.

Negombo. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Ranweli holiday village 4* From 2800 rub.
Villa Kapuru 3* From 2300 rub.
Shanelo 2* From 2600 rub.
Blue Elephant Boutique 3* From 1800 rub.
The Gateway Airport Garden by Taj 4* From 5300 rub.


Bentota. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Vivanta Taj 5* From 6600 rub.
The Surf 4* From 4300 rub.
Mihin From 1200 rub.
river view From 3600 rub.
Siroma Villa From 2500 rub.

Kalutara. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Jasmine 3* From 1800 rub.
Seasand Holiday Home From 2900 rub.
Feel Homestay From 2000 rub.
Karl Holiday Bungalow From 1600 rub.
feel From 2400 rub.

Colombo. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo 5* From 5100 rub.
The Kingsbury 5* From 8200 rub.
Taj Samudra 5* From 9200 rub.
Residence by Uga Escapes 5* From 9500 rub.
Ellen's Place From 3900 rub.


Halle. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Unawatuna Beach Resort 4* From 5800 rub.
Niyagama House 5* From 8300 rub.
The Fort Printers 5* From 8700 rub.
green house From 3800 rub.

Induruva. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Jungle Villa From 2800 rub.
Happy Man Guest House From 3100 rub.
Paradise Villa From 3000 rub.
Janus Paradise Rest From 2300 rub.
The Fence From 3500 rub.

Unawatuna. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Ridee Villa 4* From 8200 rub.
La Villetta From 2400 rub.
Unawatuna Nor Lanka 3* From 2100 rub.
Beach Grove Villas From 3100 rub.
Flower Garden 3* From 3000 rub.

Mirissa. Hotels, prices

Hotel Price for 1 night
Citrine Mirissa From 9200 rub.
Handagedara Resort From 7200 rub.
Hostel Mirissa From 5100 rub.
Hangover Hostel Mirissa From 3300 rub.

Entertainment on the island

The island of Sri Lanka on the map is a popular destination for tourists.

The entertainment industry is developing here at a rapid pace, offering guests a wide variety of leisure activities:

  • Diving and snorkelling. The island is surrounded by reefs perfect place in order to observe underwater life, admire the skeletons of sunken ships and caves.



Beaches

The main purpose for which tourists come to Sri Lanka is a beach holiday. There are really beautiful sandy beaches, wide, clean, golden white.

The list of the best of them is presented below:

  • Negombo beach. It is located closest to international airport, so many come here to soak in the warm water before going on further excursions. Waves are almost always here, and if with children it is better to look for more quiet place, then for surfers there will be a real expanse.
  • Arugam Bay. This beach with a wide strip of golden sand was chosen by fans of surfing: there are big waves here. You can get to it from Colombo, having first reached the village of Pottuvil. You can use a rickshaw or hire a private car.
  • Bentota. One of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. There are many hotels of different price category, restaurants, bars, shops. For lovers active rest open center aquatic species sports.



Surfing

The island of Sri Lanka on the map is surrounded by the waters of the Laccadive Sea and the Indian Ocean. real paradise for surfers. Due to the peculiarities, the water sports season does not stop here. In winter, surfers go to the southwest, in summer - to the east. There are enough specialized schools and instructors in Sri Lanka, the prices for their services are relatively low, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

The southwest coast, due to the abundance of harbors and bays, is more suitable for beginners. They should consider the following resorts:

  • Welligama;
  • Hikkaduwa;
  • Mirissa;
  • Tangalle;
  • Matara.

The east coast is for professionals, lovers come here to compete with the sea.

Professionals will appreciate:

  • Arugam Bay;
  • Pottuvil;
  • Okandawara Bay;
  • Koggala;
  • Mirissa.

If you have a skill in this sport, you can rent equipment and improve your skills on your own. Rental price from $2-4 per hour to $11-15 per day. You can immediately rent equipment for several days, it will be cheaper than paying for each day separately.

Learning by trial and error can be detrimental to health. To begin with, it is better to learn from professionals, take at least a couple of classes, fortunately, Sri Lanka provides a lot of opportunities.

The most economical option is the locals, who have mastered the board so much that they began to teach the skill to others. A local instructor asks from $10, but no one guarantees his qualifications. It's like a lottery: you can find a professional, or you can get on a self-confident amateur who will quit at the first danger.

A much more reliable option is surf schools. Athletes with international certificates train there. The cost of their services is in the range of $15-40. This also includes equipment rental.

Separately, it is worth highlighting surfing centers with Russian-speaking instructors. This is a narrower segment, so the prices here are much higher and start at $120. You can save a little and go to a group lesson, the cost of participation in which will be from $50.

There is a more interesting option in Sri Lanka, which will allow you not to worry about everyday issues. This is surf camps, special camps formed by surfers for their like-minded people.

Everything is organized here comfortable rest: accommodation, meals, training, equipment, various simulators. Some surf camps also offer transfers and entertainment program. But what is much more valuable is the company of fellow water sports enthusiasts.

shopping

Shopping for many is an integral part of the holiday.

What to bring from the island as a reminder of the sunny country:

  • Traditional crafts. Batik is made in Sri Lanka, wooden masks and toys are made.
  • On the island, precious stones are mined and sold, and jewelry is made to order within a few days.
  • Tea. It is impossible to leave Ceylon without the famous tea. On sale there are both classic black tea and various blends.
  • Spices, including curry, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and others.

You can make purchases in the market, in local shops, souvenir shops. Aggressive trading is not accepted here, but if you try to negotiate benevolently, you can bring down up to a quarter of the price.

Those wishing to purchase unique and high-quality locally produced goods are advised to visit large shopping centers. The best of them are in Colombo, although there are a few in Galle.

Kitchen

National cuisine Sri Lanka has been heavily influenced by India. Their traditions are similar: fish, seafood, rice and many spices, especially curry. But the Sri Lankans prefer to subject their food to as little heat treatment as possible.

Prepare on the island and dishes with meat. Basically it's chicken.. The cow is revered as a sacred animal, and beef is not eaten. But Sri Lanka is a paradise for seafood lovers! The greatest variety in coastal areas where you can taste delicacies for very little money.

The main food is rice, which is cooked with a variety of seasonings.

There are also a lot of greens on the menu, including bamboo leaves, which are unusual for Europeans. Coconut is sold here in all possible forms: milk, pulp, oil and even palm nectar. Fruit lovers will be pleased with their rich variety in local markets.

Attractions

Sri Lanka is a state with a rich and long history, there are many attractions on the map of the island, both natural and man-made.

Some of them definitely deserve attention:

  • Adam's Peak. The most visited mountain on the island, which has become sacred to four religions at once. When the sun rises, a footprint is visible on its slope. Each of the denominations ranks this among the merits of its saints. At the top is a Buddhist temple.
  • Sigiriya is a city perched on top of a cliff amidst a sea of ​​greenery. It is decorated with fountains, gardens and cascades of water. Unique frescoes have been preserved on the walls of the ancient fortress.



You can tell a lot of interesting things about the country:


Sri Lanka Island - unique place on the world map, which has absorbed the traditions of several cultures.

Article formatting: Svetlana Ovsyanikova

Video on the topic: the island of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a miracle of Asia:

Hello, dear readers - seekers of knowledge and truth!

Sri Lanka is an unusual country for a European that attracts thousands of tourists every year. She can surprise 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 have been thinking about a trip to Sri Lanka, then in this article you will find brief information 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 on the list world heritage UNESCO.

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 metropolitan center is considered to be a more popular city, The largest city states - Colombo, founded in ancient times. 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 the 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 bit cooler in the 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 of different representatives of the 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 the 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 strive to settle here for permanent 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 and budget hotels and houses - it all depends on the resort and the purse 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 items;
  • 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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Ceylon tea- this is the first thing that visited my head, after a friend invited me to visit this distant country. How far, I had a very rough idea.

Where is Sri Lanka located

And she is located inIndian Ocean. This is a lonely island near India. It is noteworthy that once the island was connected with India by land, but it was a very long time ago, however, it left an imprint on Sri Lanka itself, local residents and their way of life.

locals

The bulk of the local population is divided according to religious views on Catholics and Buddhists. In this connection, the island is dotted with Catholic and Buddhist temples.


The locals are divided into Tamils ​​and Sinhalese. Tamils ​​are slightly lighter than Sinhalese, which is a matter of pride for them.

Advantages of a tour package and without

Based personal experience I would like to make a few points in favor of« wild» recreation:

  • We managed to see several cities, visit on different sides of the island, it is unlikely to do this on a ticket.
  • You can hire a local resident, some speak Russian, to ride around the island. We did just that and have no regrets.
  • In our budget a package holiday would not fit, but we would see much less.
  • We visited places where tourists rarely visit, or they don’t stop by at all, judging by the rounded eyes of the locals when they see us. :)

Now for the ticket:

  • A distant country, its own rules, its own mentality. Ride on a ticket anywaysafer.
  • If they take you on a tour, they will bring and show everything in at its best . We, resting as savages, used the services of local residents. A funny incident happened: they took us to show the elephants and, as promised, they showed us, only they brought us to the dump. :)

Separately, I would like to advise you to visit beautiful place, which stands out throughout the island is .


This is a small town located at an altitude of 1884 meters above sea level, the locals call this town - New England. Having visited many places in Sri Lanka and, periodically, languishing from the heat, we arrived in Nuwara Eliya and plunged into the cold. Clouds walk around the city, very beautiful and unusual. This town sunk into my soul, but we didn’t have time to enjoy its beauties, and we drove on.

We visited tea plantations and a huge botanical garden, in the cities of Anuradhapura and. Were also in the huge market in Colombo. All these places are not the same.


So where is the . Omitting the geographical side of the question, I will say: where everyone should visit!

Mira, it is worth starting with the search for India. This state is located in Asia, the peninsula where it is located has the shape of an isosceles triangle, one of the vertices of which points strictly to the south. Sri Lanka is located in close proximity to India at a distance of about 100 km to the southeast. It is easy to find, in the Indian Ocean it is the only big Island. On a large scale, you can see that there is a sandbank between Sri Lanka and the Hindustan peninsula - until the 15th century, these two geographical feature were connected, but after a series of earthquakes, the isthmus was destroyed and went under water. The name of the state is formed from two words in Hindi: "shri" - glorious and "" - land. However, the older generation of the island is known as Ceylon - that's how it was until 1972.

The sandbar in the Strait of Polk, which used to connect Hindustan with the island of Sri Lanka, is called Adam's Bridge.

State of Sri Lanka

The entire area of ​​Sri Lanka is occupied by the state of the same name, although many mistakenly classify the island as an Indian state. The official capital is the city with the hard-to-pronounce name of Sri Jayawardenepura-Kotte, however, the unspoken economic and Cultural Center country - Colombo. The development of Sri Lanka was significantly influenced by the Portuguese, who were the first to colonize the island, and the British, because it was under the protectorate of Britain that it was about a century and a half. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in agriculture - the world-famous tea is grown here. Tourism is also an important industry. last years people come here not just on vacation, but for the entire winter season, among the vacationers there are many free professions that allow you to work remotely.
Interestingly, the tea grown on the island is still called Ceylon tea, the name "Sri Lankan" has not taken root.

How to get to Sri Lanka

There are direct flights from Moscow to Colombo, but they do not operate every day. If there is a need to get to Sri Lanka at a different time, you will have to plan a transfer to Abu Dhabi ( Saudi Arabia), in Dubai (UAE), in Koh (Qatar) or in Istanbul (Turkey). Travel time is from eight hours, depending on the duration of the connection. Before traveling to Sri Lanka, you need to apply for a visa entry permit.