Discovering the richness of
the island of Sri Lanka

A little geography

The island of Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of India. Its capital is the city of Colombo, in the southwest.

A peninsula with a tropical climate, it offers a great diversity of landscapes: green hills, forests, mountain ranges (including Mount Pidurutalagala, which rises to 2,524 metres), magnificent beaches, lagoons and more than twenty national parks. The latter are home to a rich fauna including endemic species: elephants, leopards, monkeys, bears, more than 400 species of birds, reptiles, turtles, orcas and dolphins.

A rich history

Situated at the crossroads of the worlds, Sri Lanka experienced successive waves of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisation before gaining independence in 1948. The island has inherited a strong multicultural character. Among the 22 million inhabitants, 74% are Buddhist, mostly Sinhalese, 15% Tamil (mostly Hindu) and 9% Muslim. The spirituality induced by Buddhism has given rise to the construction of numerous temples which contribute to the architectural richness of the country.

A destination for everyone

If you like nature, the richness of the flora, the diversity of the landscapes, the postcard beaches and the animal reserves will delight you. Do you prefer sports? Surfing, snorkeling and diving to discover the coral reefs or hiking in the mountains are waiting for you! Looking for relaxation? Go to the sumptuous beaches of the south and try your hand at meditation. And if you are interested in history and culture, you will discover the old walled city of Galle, the Buddhist temples, the fortress of Sigiriya, the caves of Dambulla, the ruins of Polonnaruwa and of course the cities of Colombo, Jaffna and Kandy.

The Sri Lankans speak mostly Sinhalese but also some English which is taught as a first foreign language and will help you to make yourself understood on the spot. The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee.