Sri Lanka Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Sri Lanka?

Overview

A pear-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka lies 18 miles from India at its closest point. It has an area of 25,332 square miles, a length of 268 miles, and a width of 139 miles. Located in the tropical zone between 5 N and 9 N and between 80 E and 82 E.

Sri Lanka has many areas of scenic beauty and historic interest. The island consists of two main topographical sections: the mountainous south-central region which rises to 8,281 feet above sea level and the low-lying northern, eastern, and southwestern coastal plains. Dense vegetation covers a large part of Sri Lanka, particularly the southern and western coasts. Rubber and coconut trees grow in the midlands and lowlands, and the highlands have vast tea estates.

In Colombo, temperatures rarely rise above 90 F or drop below 70 F; relative humidity varies from 70% during the day to 90% at night. The mountainous districts have an average day temperature of about 60 F, but at night it drops rapidly, sometimes to near freezing in winter in places such as Nuwara Eliya (altitude of 5,905 feet).

Geography - note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

Sri Lanka Use of Natural Resources

Geographic Location	Asia
Total Area	25,332 Square Miles 65,610 Square Kilometers
Land Area	24,954 Square Miles 64,630 Square Kilometers
Water Area	378 Square Miles 980 Square Kilometers
Irrigated Land	2,201 Square Miles 5,700 Square Kilometers
Coastline	833 Miles 1,340 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	7 00 N, 81 00 E
Terrain	mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Highest Point	2,524 Meters
Highest Point Location	Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Lowest Point Location	Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural Resources	limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower
Time Zone	UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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