Island Geography

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located between the Laccadive Sea in the west and the Bay of Bengal in the east. The island is situated about 30 km (19 mi) south east of the southern coast of India.

The nation has a total area of 65,610 km², with 64,740 km² of land and 870 km² of water. Its coastline is 1,340 km (830 mi) long. It is located between latitudes 5°55′ and 9°51′ N and longitudes 79°41′ and 81°53′ E and has a maximum length of 268 miles (432 km) and a maximum width of 139 miles (224 km).

Tropical Climate

Sri Lanka's climate includes tropical monsoons: the northeast monsoon (December to March), and the southwest monsoon (June to October). The climate consists of distinctive dry and wet seasons.

• Average Temperature: 28 – 32°C (Coastal areas)
• Highlands (Nuwara Eliya): Low as 16°C
• Eastern Coast (Batticaloa): High as 32°C

The coldest months are December and January, while the warmest months are April and August.

People & Culture

It has a significant population of ~22 million. The largest minority group is Sinhalese (74%), followed by Tamils (18%) and Moors (7%).

The main religion is Buddhism, which deeply influences the lifestyle and festivals. The mother language is ‘Sinhala’.

Why Visit Sri Lanka?

Known for its enchanting ancient ruins, endless soft-sanded beaches, imposing mountains, colorful festivals, tempting water sports, dense wild-life, diverse ethnical groups, and warm hospitality.

Main Places to Visit