Sri Lanka – travel guide with tips for your holiday
Sri Lanka is in the field of innertropischen equatorial climates. In the southwest of the island to reach the heights rainfall of up to 2 500 millimeters with two peaks in May and October. In the east fall rainfall of 1 500 millimeters per year. The driest areas are located in the northeast and southwest. The average annual temperature is 32.2 degrees Celsius in the lowlands and 21.1 ° C in the higher mountain regions.
Sri Lanka is known for the beauty and diversity of its vegetation. Overall, approximately 28 percent of the country’s forested area. In the southwest of the country are vast areas of dense tropical rainforest covered. The higher mountain regions are also heavily forested. In the coastal plains grow many different types of palm. Savannas and dry forests dominate the northern and eastern part of the island.
The Sri Lankan wildlife, including many from endangered species count is very diverse and includes, among others, cheetahs, leopards, several species of monkeys and elephants. There are also numerous species of reptiles, including crocodiles and pythons.
The deforestation is very high, because the rain forests for the collection of firewood, timber for export or for the investment of plantations will be cleared. This is a big part of the habitat for flora and fauna lost, and the subject of increased soil erosion. Another problem is poaching, the still numerous endangered species fall victim to. The ecosystems on the coast of Sri Lanka suffer from the discharge of effluents. Still trying to the Government of Sri Lanka to preserve the flora and fauna. Approximately 13.3 percent (2000) of the land is under protection. The protected area covers Sinharaja one of the last pristine areas of rainforest on the island. It was founded in 1988 by UNESCO’s world cultural heritage.
Approximately 74 percent of the population of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese. The biggest minorities are the Ceylon Tamils and Indian Tamils, which together account for about 18 percent of the population. The rest of the population comprises the Moors (descendants of the Arabian Sea and merchants), the Burgh (descendants of Portuguese and Dutch), the Malays and the Wedda, the natives of Sri Lanka.
The population of Sri Lanka is approximately 19.9 million (2004), resulting in a population density of 308 people per square kilometer.
