Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Capital: Colombo Area: total: 65,610 sq km land: 64,740 sq km water: 870 sq km Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m Highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Palm trees, Sri Lanka More pictures Purchase this poster

Population: 20,926,315 (July 2007 est.) Nationality: Sri Lankan(s) Ethnic groups: Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1%. Religions: Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 7%. Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%. English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population.

Tropical monsoon. Northeast monsoon from December to March. Southwest monsoon from June to October.

Government type: Republic. Independence: 4 February 1948 (from the United Kingdom). National holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948).

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