Sri Lanka is a democratic and socialist republic south of India with an area of 25,332 square miles and a population of over 20 million. The capital is Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, but Colombo is the largest city. The population is mainly Sinhalese, with Tamil communities. Agriculture, especially tea, sugar, and rubber, is a traditional economic resource, and the food industry is rapidly developing. Sri Lanka has several World Heritage Sites, including Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Golden Temple of Dambulla.
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, more commonly referred to simply as Sri Lanka, is an island south of India. Sri Lanka covers an area of 25,332 square miles (65,610 km²) and is home to over 20 million people. The capital, Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, is not the largest. Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, however, houses the main administrative headquarters of the country, including the parliament and the Urban Development Council. Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka, is home to major universities, as the area is an international metropolis that attracts many foreigners for both business and pleasure.
Sri Lanka was a monarchy well into the 20th century. In 2000 Sri Lanka gained independence from Ceylon. The government is now a democratic and socialist republic where the president is also the commander of the army and the one who appoints the prime minister to govern the parliament. Sri Lanka maintains friendly foreign relations with a number of countries, especially other Asian nations.
The population of Sri Lanka is mainly of Sinhalese ethnicity, a unique group that mainly lives in Sri Lanka. In fact, 98% of Sinhalese reside on the island, with small groups of expats living in Southeast Asia, the UK and Australia. Most people adhere to Buddhism, although some practice a combination of Buddhism with indigenous deities.
Tamil communities, originating in northern Sri Lanka, are also a large part of the population, although they have intermingled with the rest of the residents over the past century. Although English is used extensively for official business, less than eight percent of the population actually speaks it. The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil.
Agriculture, especially of Ceylon tea, sugar and rubber, is a traditional economic resource of Sri Lanka. The food industry is a relatively new but rapidly developing sector. The tea industry, however, remains the largest industry in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is home to several World Heritage Sites, including the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which dates back to 495 AD and is surrounded by the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The Golden Temple of Dambulla and the city of Polonnaruwa are also on the list of protected places.
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