About Sri Lanka
The map shows Sri Lanka, an independent island state, consisting of a main island and some small islands. The island nation is located 30 km (19 mi) southeast of the southern coast of
India in the Indian Ocean, between the Laccadive Sea in the west and the Bay of Bengal in the east.
In 1948, British Ceylon was granted independence. In 1972 the island became a republic within the Commonwealth, and its name was changed to Sri Lanka. The country shares maritime borders with the
Maldives and India.
With an
area of 65,610 km² Sri Lanka is somewhat larger than twice the size of
Belgium or slightly larger than the
U.S. state West Virginia.
Sri Lanka's landscape is mostly low with flat to rolling coastal plains. In the south-central interior of the island is a mountainous region. There is the country's highest mountain
Pidurutalagala, (Mount Pedro) at 2,524 m.
The island has a tropical climate moderated by ocean winds.
Sri Lanka has a
population of 21.7 million people (in 2019). The official capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; the largest city and administrative capital is
Colombo. Spoken
languages are
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%. About 10% of the population speak English as a second language.
The map shows the island of Sri Lanka with provincial capitals, major cities and towns, main roads, railroads, and major
airports.
More about Sri Lanka
Tea plantation near Kandy in Sri Lanka.
Photo: Mal B
Map shows the location of following Sri Lankan cities and towns:
NORTHERN PROVINCE
Elephant Pass (Gateway to Jaffna),
Jaffna (capital of the Northern Province), Kankesanturai, Kayts, Kilinochchi, Madhu Road, Manjulam, Mannar, Mullaittivu, Nedunkeni, Point Pedro, Puliyankulam, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Silavatturai, Talaimannar, Vavuniya, Vellankulam
NORTH CENTRAL
Anuradhapura (one of the ancient capitals, today capital of North Central Province), Habarane, Hamillewa, Horuwupotana, Kebitigollewa, Kekirawa, Maragahewa, Medawachchiya, Polonnaruwa
NORTH WESTERN
Pannala, Kuliyapitiya, Kurunegala, Chilaw, Ganewatta, Maho, Anamaduwa, Galgamuwa, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Pomparippu
EASTERN PROVINCE
Amparai, Batticaloa, Chenkaladi, Kalmunai, Kantalai, Kathiraveli, Kehelula, Kumana, Maha Oya, Mutur, Nilaveli, Okanda, Paddiruppu, Pankulam, Pottuvil, Pulmoddai, Tirrukkovil, Trincomalee, Uhana, Valachchenai
CENTRAL PROVINCE
Dambula,
Kandy (second largest city in the country), Matale, Naula, Nuwara Eliya
SOUTHERN PROVINCE
Akuressa, Ambalangoda,
Galle, Hambontota, Kirinda, Matara, Tangalla, Tissamaharama, Udugama
WESTERN PROVINCE
Beruwala,
Colombo (major seaport, largest city and cultural center of Sri Lanka), Gampaha, Horana, Ja-Ela, Kalutara, Matugama, Moratuwa, Mount Lavinia, Negombo, Panadura, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (New Capital Territory, seat of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and de jure capital)
SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE
Balangoda, Embilipitiya, Kegalla, Pelmadulla, Rakwana,
Ratnapura (the "City of Gems", famous for the trade of precious stones, capital city of Sabaragamuwa Province)
UVA PROVINCE
Badulla (capital, known for tea trade), Bibile, Buttala, Haputale, Kataragama, Monaragala, and Telulla.
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use above map for educational purposes, please refer to the Nations Online Project. 
