Sri Lanka

Location
Sri Lanka - a country located on the same island in the Indian Ocean near the southern tip of India. Polk Strait and the Gulf Mannar separating Sri Lanka from India, rather narrow (in the narrowest part of their shares only 20 km of water area). For overland between Sri Lanka and India used Adams Bridge - a chain of small islands, coral reefs and sandbanks, which are interconnected bulk dams and bridges.The territory of the republic - about 66 square kilometers The maximum length from north to south - 430 km. From west to east - 225 km.The most important historical events.Around 500 BC Sinhalese prince Vijaya, who arrived on the island with an army of India, conquered the tribes who lived here and named the island Vedda named a "Singhaladvipa", ie Lion Island (hence the name of the general population of the island - Sinhalese). Arabs in their own way Singhaladvipu renamed in Serendib. Under this name, the island became widely known in the Middle East in the early medieval period. Sinhalese often for the name of the country used the Sanskrit word "hind," which means "land", "island".About 3 c. AD the island was captured by the Tamils. They drove the Sinhalese to the south, after which the two ethnic groups continued to fight for control of the island until the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century. They were followed by Dutch and then British, who ruled the island since 1802. The name of the island Singhal has gradually turned into English in the Cylon (Ceylon).Hence the Russian name of Ceylon. But the island was used for a long time, and another name for the country - Lanka, meaning "blessed, beautiful land" (the prefix "Sri" in the modern title - an expression of deep reverence.)In 1948 the country gained independence, becoming a colony of Great Britain in its dominion. In 1972 a constitution was adopted, and since 1978 the country was renamed the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.The climate.

Sri Lanka is in close proximity to the equator, the northern part of the island (2 / 3 area) is located in the subequatorial monsoon belt, the south - in the equatorial. This is a country of perpetual summer.The average annual temperature in the low-lying areas of the country holds about 27 C. Less hot in the mountains, and there is year-round heat - usually temperatures range from +23 C to +25 ° C, only in some of the mean annual temperature falls to 16 C.Although there receive higher rainfall, the rains are unevenly distributed throughout the year. The highest rainfall is in the summer.This time, the south-west monsoon winds saturated with moisture. In winter, dominated by the northeast monsoon, which brings much less rain.Most of the island - the plain. Only in the south are seen the outlines of angular central mountain range, which rises to 1000-2000 m above sea level. The highest point of the island - mountain reaches 2524 m. PidurutalagalaThe economy.

Basis of the economy of Sri Lanka consists of three plantation crops - tea, rubber-tree Hevea and coconut palm.The most important product is manufactured in Sri Lanka - tea.High-quality Ceylon tea is widely known throughout the world. Sri Lanka is the second largest in the world after India.Hevea, which gives sap - latex, from which the rubber is grown on mountain slopes in the south-west of the island. Sri Lanka - one of the largest producers of natural rubber in the world.Coconut trees grow almost everywhere, but most of the trees located on the west coast of the island. Perhaps no other plant does not provide much useful products as they can be obtained from the coconut palm. Of the dried pulp of ripe nuts - copra oil squeeze, coming directly to food, as well as for the production of soap, glycerine and other valuable products. The oil cake is used as cattle fodder and fertilizer. Coconut palms are used in the confectionery industry. From fermented palm juice get an alcoholic drink. The fibrous sheath nut - coir is used to weave ropes, baskets, mats.Most of the shell are ativirovanny coal. Along with some countries in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka is among the leading suppliers in the world market coir products, especially oil and copra.Main food crop in Sri Lanka - Fig. In Sri Lanka, were grown to hundreds of different varieties of rice, each of which needs certain soil and climatic conditions. Different varieties ripen over a period of 3 to 6 months. During the year, in many places removed 2-3 crops.The population.

The population of Sri Lanka's 18.5 million people. 71% of the population - it is Sinhalese, occupying a leading place in the cultural, economic and political life.The second largest nation - Tamil - 20% of the total population. They enjoy all civil and political rights along with the Sinhalese. The remaining 9% of the population are Moors, Malays, Pathans and Baluchis, burgers, Eurasians, infidels, and Sri Lankan gypsies.The main language - Sinhala, the official language - English. Tamils ​​speak Tamil, Moors - in Arabic.Religion of the overwhelming number of Sinhalese Buddhism is (67%), Tamil Hindus Shaivite persuasion (17%), but part of the Sinhalese and Tamils ​​are Christians (8%), Moors, Malays, Pathans and Baluchis are Muslim (7%), Vedda - Animist .