Up in the mountains it is eternal spring, the monkeys swing between the trees and the water cascades of the rivers rush down towards the palm beaches. Buddhist temples and monasteries make their mark on the entire island. Sri Lanka breathes peace and quiet. Relaxation is something that is prioritized by both residents and visitors. The food is strong, the tea tastes fantastic and the bird life on the island is abundant and full of colors.
See trips to Sri Lanka
Population: 22 mill.
Capital: Colombo
Language: Sinhalese and Tamil
the first country in the world to elect a female head of government was Sri Lanka? It was Sirimavo Bandaranaike who became Prime Minister for the first time in 1960.
a large part of Sri Lanka’s electricity comes from hydropower? The country’s waterfalls account for a large part of Sri Lanka’s energy.
Climate and wildlife
The average temperature in Sri Lanka is about 30 degrees in the lowlands and about 18-20 degrees up in the mountains. The wildlife is exciting and varied and you can experience both monkeys, elephants and buffaloes on a rich scale. So also crocodiles, a very rich bird life and on a bit rare occasions even the shy leopards. Reptiles lovers also get their fill. The elephants that were once used as draft animals or pack animals amount to over 5,000 and today roam freely in the jungle and in the national parks. One of the best for animal and bird loving tourists is Udawalawe National Park.
The population of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s indigenous people, the Vedda people, have lived on the island for thousands of years and have been joined by several other peoples throughout history, especially from India. But the Europeans have also left a lasting impression on Portuguese, Dutch and British, among others. Today, Sri Lanka is therefore a melting pot of several peoples, which has created exciting and meaningful cultures, but not without problems. An armed conflict between the majority of Buddhist Sinhalese and the minority of Hindu Tamils dragged the country into a civil war that lasted for over 20 years. But there has been complete peace since 2009.
Attractions in Sri Lanka
It’s hard not to be influenced by the kindness and warm smiles of the people you constantly meet as visitors. The beaches are both inviting and miles wide and nature offers almost endless color variations of green to the eye. Visit campingship for National Parks Of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is rich in cultural experiences where Buddhism plays a central role. A visit to the beautiful Buddhist temple caves in Dambulla, adorned with exquisite statues and paintings, is a must. The caves are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. So does the Lion Rock in Sigiriya. Climbing the 200 meter high cliff, trampling the over 1200 steps, and where at the top are fascinated by the castle ruins from the 400s which are nestled in an absolutely fantastic panoramic view, is an outstanding experience.
As a tourist, you must experience the charmingly chaotic capital Colombo and its throngs of scents, bazaars, people and sounds. Colombo is, among other things, one of the world’s 25 largest ports. The city is rich in historical memories and buildings from the time when the Dutch and British ruled. Many of the places in the city are named after Cinnamon, which is the English word for cinnamon and which was a major export product to Europe under colonial rule.
Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as the island was called until 1972, has always been an important trading island for European colonizers. On the south coast behind high stone walls is the old trading town of Galle, where time almost stood still, which began to be built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century.
A visit to the ancient royal city of Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, where one of the Buddha’s teeth is kept, is also a visit not to be missed in a crowd of worshiping people. Likewise, the performance of Sinhalese folk dancers framed by unparalleled drums and trumpets.
To experience one of the old British tea plantations located around Nuwara Eliya at an altitude of almost 2,000 meters in central Sri Lanka, is also not to be missed. The city is not without reason called “Little England” with golf course, post office, bell tower and everything. There you can take the train from Kandy along the old rails from the 1880s and during several hours of comfortable travel at slow speed enjoy a rolling green tea cultivation landscape. Followed by tasting of course.
