Sri Lanka
Asia
Capital City: Colombo
Colombo is located on the west coast of the island. It is a busy place with a variety of ruins, colonial buildings and modern life.
Asia
Map 2
This map shows all the cities in Sri Lanka and the sea around it.
Sri Lanka Money
GEOGRAPHY
Before its now known name Sir Lanka it was known as Ceylon. it is located in the Indian ocean, and the only thing separating it from India is a narrow strait. The northern part of the island is very flat but the south central regions are very mountainous and hilly.
With an average of 30 degrees, the climate id warm all year round.
People of Sri Lanka
Around 20.4 million people live in the south west and the center of Sri Lanka. Three quarters live in rural areas. The largest cities are Colombo (the capital), Kandy, Galle and Jaffna. About 6% of Sri Lanka's people are Christians and the other 7% are Muslims.
History Highlights
In 2004 the Boxing Day tsunami hit the coast of Sri Lanka leaving parts of the country devastated, killing more than 30,000 people and displacing 450,000 people. Many of these people have returned to their homes with support of aid programs.
A long war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam, which lasted 26 years ended in May 2009. During the war nearly 300,000 people lost their homes.
Economy
Sri Lanka is now a poor country due to spending most of their money on the military during the civil war. Agriculture employs about 30 percent of Sri Lanka's workforce.
Manufacturing, especially making clothes, has become a industry for Sri Lanka.
Education
In Sri Lanka people are being better educated with improved literacy. Now 90% of adults can read and write. Enrolment rates in schools are high and schooling is free. However lots of children miss school because their families need their help at home. Schools in poorer areas often do not have enough teachers or equipment. The civil war forced many schools to close.
One of Sri Lankas Schools
Health
Sri Lanka has greatly reduced the numbers of child deaths with better medicine. People's life expectancy has increased. There are still many people suffering from malnutrition. Contaminated water, malaria and poor sanitation also make many people sick.
Living Conditions
There is still much poverty in Sri Lanka. Poor areas in towns and cities are crowded with whole families living in one room or several families will share one house. The government is helping these people with self-help building programs and improving conditions in the slums. Meals are prepared over open fires or clay stoves. The people eat meals of rice with vegetables and curry. Sometimes they have fish as well.
Sri Lanka Living Conditions
Environmental Issues
Sri Lanka's native forest have been cleared over large areas. This has resulted in soil erosion and the loss of habitat for Sri Lanka's wildlife threatening their existence.
An Environmental Issue in Sril Lanka