21 interesting facts about Sri Lanka

21 interesting facts about Sri Lanka

On our one -month journey through the country, we learned many interesting facts about Sri Lanka. Here we share the best of you

sri lanka is a rich and fascinating country that seems to have everything a traveler can only want. It is one of the best safarice outside of Africa with a wealth of wild animals that are in its 26 national parks.

There are green rainforests, foggy hills in the middle of fertile tea plantations and kilometers of shimmering beaches. You have a perfect holiday destination on an island that is only a quarter the size of Great Britain!

In addition, the country is affordable and full of delicious cuisine and fascinating history. His people have mastered war, disasters and all the challenges of a developing South Asian country. Despite the turbulence, Sri Lanka and his people move forward quickly.

On our trip through the country, we learned a lot of interesting facts about Sri Lanka. Here we share the best of you.

interesting facts about Sri Lanka

1. Sri Lanka has one of the weakest passes in the world. His citizens can only visit 41 travel destinations without a visa or with a visa on arrival. Incidentally, the visa for Sri Lanka is generally accessible and can be easily arranged by applying for a visa for Sri Lanka on arrival. (Source: Henley Passport Index)

2. Sri Lanka was first colonized by the Portuguese in 1505, then in 1658 by the Dutch and in 1796 by the British. Finally, the country gained full independence in 1948. (Source: BBC)

Atlas & Boots bile Fort was built by the Portuguese, attached by the Dutch and then converted by the British

1. Sri Lanka used to be called Ceylon, which is a transliteration of Ceilao, the name of the country among the first colonial men on the island, Portugal. It changed its name in Sri Lanka when it became a republic in 1972. (Source: The Telegraph)

2. The oldest living tree, which is known that it has been planted by humans, is in Sri Lanka. Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura has been maintained continuously for over 2,000 years. It was bred from a cutting that was brought from Bodh Gaya in India, the tree under which Buddha is said to have found enlightenment. (Source: Lonely Planet)

Atlas & Boots Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura has been maintained continuously for over 2,000 years

1. The first Prime Minister in the world was Si Lankan. In 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the sixth prime minister of Ceylon and the first female prime minister in the world. (Source: The Guardian)

2. Sri Lanka may have been physically connected to India. Hindu supporters believe that the area between India and Sri Lanka - which is now known as Adamsbrücke - was built millions of years ago by Lord Ram and an army of monkeys. Scientists and archaeologists believe that it is a natural formation of sand and stone. (Source: BBC)

3. Adam’s Peak is the most sacred mountain in the country. It stands on 2,243 m (797 feet) and, thanks to a strange recess on his summit, which is known as Sri Pada or Holy Footprint, is of importance in several great religions. Buddhists believe that Buddha's impression comes, Muslims claim that he was the footprint of Adam, while Hindus believe that he belongs to Shiva. Christians also claimed it for St. Thomas. (Source: Rough Guides)

Atlas & Boots Adam’s Peak is Sri Lanka's holiest mountain

1. Sri Lanka was the country, which was hit by the tsunami in 2004 in the Indian Ocean. More than 30,000 people were killed and expelled over half a million. (Source: BBC)

2. Animals throughout Sri Lanka felt the approaching tsunami up to an hour before he arrived. Reports include elephants that run away from the beach and flamingos, flying to higher areas in the Yala National Park. (Source: National Geographic)

3. Sri Lanka is said to be the only country in the world in which you can see the largest landing animal in the world, the elephants, and the largest marine mammal in the world, the blue whale, in a single day. (Source: The Telegraph)

Atlas & Boots An elephant in the Udawalawe National Park

1. Because of its unique shape and location south of India, Sri Lanka is known as the "tear of India". (Source: WORLDADLAS)

2. One of the more racy facts about Sri Lanka is that the state of Google searches for the word "sex" more often than any other country in the world. (Source: Google Trends)

3. Sri Lanka is the fourth largest tea producer in the world (after China, India and Kenya) and the third largest exporter. The country produces three main locations: Ceylon black, Ceylon-green and Ceylon white tea. (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the Un)

Saman Weeratunga/Shutterstock Lipton Tea was founded in Sri Lanka

1. Lipton Tea was founded in Sri Lanka. In 1890 the food dealer Sir Thomas Lipton, born in Glasgow, acquired 5,500 tomorrow of the Dambatenne Teeplanze in Ceylon highlands and began to export them directly to his business in the UK. (Source: Telegraph)

2. 2010 the singer Akon was refused to enter Sri Lanka after one of his video "Sexy Chick" showed a slippery pool party in front of a Buddha statue. The music video triggered violent protests in the capital Colombo. (Source: The Guardian)

alt = "Interesting-Facts-Uber-Sri-Lanka-Akon"> Fair Use Find the Buddha

The World Health Organization Sri Lanka declared
1. 2016 for malaria -free. In the middle of the 20th century it was one of the most affected countries affected by malaria, but its anti-malaria campaign successfully aimed at the parasites transmitted by mosquitoes, which causes the disease. (Source: The Guardian)

2. In Sri Lanka there is the Sigiriya rock fortress, a gigantic rock column that rises 200 m (660 feet) from the forested levels underneath. The UNESCO World Heritage Site built over 1,000 years ago is Sri Lanka's most popular attraction. (Source: UNESCO)

Atlas & Boots The Sigiriya rock fortress rises 200 m (660 ft) from the forested levels

1. Sri Lanka was involved in a 25-year civil war, which is assumed that between 70,000 and 80,000 people were killed. The conflict finally ended in May 2009 when government troops had the last stronghold of the Tamil Tigers. Allegations for abuse by both sides continue. (Source: BBC)

2. For its size, Sri Lanka houses an incredible variety of animals: 125 mammal species, 433 birds, 245 butterflies, 96 snakes, 97 lizards and 383 spiders (including 15 types of bird spider!). (Source: nationally geographical)

Image agency Zoonar/Shutterstock The colorful and rather complicated Srilankic flag

1. The colorful Srilankian flag is quite complicated:
• The lion represents the Singhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation and bravery
• The sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation
• The four Bo leaves-which symbolize Buddhism and its influence on the country-stand for the four virtuous kindness, friendliness, happiness and equanimity
• orange means Srilankische Tamilen
• green means Srilankische Mauren
• chestnut brown means the Singhalese majority
• and the yellow marks other ethnic groups

Phew! (Source: Cia World Factbook)

1. Sri Lanka's complete official name is "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka". The short form Sri Lanka means "shiny island" on Sanskrit. (Source: CIA World Factbook)

If you would like to find out more about Sri Lanka before your visit, we recommend Lonely Planet Sri Lanka.

main picture: Shutterstock

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