Sri Lanka

island nation · South Asia · Indian Ocean · diverse cultures

Island in the Ocean. Sri Lanka is an island country located southwest of India in the Indian Ocean, separated by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. It sits about 40 kilometers from India's southern coast.

Two Capital Cities. Sri Lanka has two capitals: Colombo is the largest city and the heart of business and culture, while Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital where laws are made.

Many Cultures Living Together. About 22 million people live in Sri Lanka, with the majority being Sinhalese speakers, followed by Tamils and other groups like Moors, Burghers, and Malays. This mix of cultures has shaped the island's unique identity.

Formerly Called Ceylon. Sri Lanka's old name was Ceylon, which it used for centuries before taking its current name. The word Ceylon comes from an ancient Sanskrit name for the island.

Strategic Ocean Location. Sri Lanka sits at a crossroads between the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, sharing maritime borders with the Maldives to the southwest and neighboring the waters near Myanmar and Bangladesh across the sea.