Where Is Sri Lanka and What
Is It Known For?

A mother and baby elephant in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, commonly known as Sri Lanka, lies in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of India in South Asia. Known as Ceylon till 1972, the country is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

It has rolling coastal plains, with mountains in the centre-south. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka has lead to the title The Pearl of the Indian Ocean; it is full of lush tropical forests, white beaches and diverse landscape throughout along with a rich biodiversity.

The climate is hot and monsoonal. Most people live on the west coast. Manufactures (chiefly textiles and clothing), tea, rubber, copra and gems are exported. The economy relies on foreign aid and workers’ remittances. The USA and the UK are the main trading partners.