Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia, located about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) off the southern coast of India. Popularly referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, it is home to around twenty million people.Because of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia, and has been a center of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times.

Today, the country is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation, with nearly a third of the population following faiths other than Buddhism, notably Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population, with Tamils, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include the Muslim Moors and Malays and the Burghers.Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, coconuts and rubber, Sri Lanka boasts a progressive and modern industrial economy and the highest per capita income in South Asia.

The natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage, make it a world famous tourist destination. Nestling off the southern tip of India, the tropical island of Sri Lanka has beguiled travelers for centuries with its palm-fringed beaches, diverse landscapes and historical monuments.

Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India.

Capital: Colombo

Official language: Sinhala

Government type:  Republic

President: Mahinda Rajapaksa

Head of government: President Mahinda Rajapaksa

National Holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

Area

total: 65 610 km²
land: 64 740 km²
water: 870 km²

Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October).

Population:  20 926 315 (July 2007)

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Internet domain: .lk

International dialing code: +94

Sources: www.wikipedia.org

http://news.bbc.co.uk