Geography of Sri Lanka

Off the southeast coast of India is the substantial island nation of Sri Lanka. Its official name now is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, but up until 1972, it was known as Ceylon. Instability and ethnic warfare have plagued the nation for a very long time. The island of Sri Lanka is thought to be the geologically most southerly extension of peninsular India (the Deccan), with which it shares a continental shelf and several of its fundamental lithologic and geomorphic traits.

Nine tenths of the island's surface and subsoil are made up of crystalline, hard rock formations such quartzite, granite, gneisses, and khondalite (a type of metamorphic rock).

Physical Features

In the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a pear-shaped island. With 64,630 square kilometres (24,950 square miles) of land and 980 square kilometres (380 square miles) of water, the country has a total area of 65,610 square kilometres (25,330 square miles). It has 1,340 kilometres (830 mi) long coastline. Sri Lanka's main island is the twenty-fifth largest island in the world by area, with 65,268 km2. The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait Divide Sri Lanka from the Indian subcontinent, which is located about 645 kilometres (400 miles) to the north of Sri Lanka.

Around Sri Lanka, there are a number of islands, with the Jaffna Peninsula's westernmost islets being the most notable. 20,869,000 people called Sri Lanka home as of 2011. According to elevation, Sri Lanka's topography can be loosely split into three regions: the coastal belt, the plains, and the central highlands. The "heart of the country" is thought to be the central highlands. The highest peak in Sri Lanka is Pidurutalagala, which is 2,524 meters (8,281 feet) high and is located in the south-central area. The high plateau that extends from north to south forms the interior of the highlands. The Knuckles Massif, which is to the north, is made up of peaks that climb higher than 1,800m (5,905ft), steep escarpments, and deep gorges.

There are many plains in Sri Lanka that are between 30 and 200 meters (98 and 656 feet) above sea level. The mountain ranges suddenly appear as a massive wall where the plains and the central highlands meet in the southeast. The plains are level to the east and north. This island is surrounded by a coastal belt that rises about 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level. Beautiful sandy beaches may be found along much of Sri Lanka's coastline.

Climate

The lowlands of Sri Lanka see consistently high temperatures, which range from an average of 72 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit each month. In addition, the central highlands' higher height results in cooler temperatures, with monthly averages between 44⁰ and 71⁰ F. Although rainfall is a notable contributor to the country's diurnal and seasonal climate variations, regional variations also arise due to the type, timing, and unpredictability of rainfall.

The Indian subcontinent is split into Wet Zones, Dry Zones, and an Intermediate Zone based on the aforementioned variables. Additionally, Sri Lanka's climate can be described as tropical and fairly hot, yet the pattern of rainfall varies considerably from the country's yearly average. The variation in rainfall had a significant impact in preserving the soil moisture and surface drainage pattern throughout the year.

Flora and Fauna

Tropical wet lowland evergreen forest, tropical sub-montane forest, tropical montane forest, and tropical moist monsoon forest are a few of Sri Lanka's major ecosystems. Neotropical forest is another name for Sri Lanka's tropical wet lowland evergreen forest. Additionally, rather than experiencing seasonal water constraint, this type of forest is characterized by consistently warm and humid circumstances. The most opulent forest cover may be found in Sri Lanka's central hills and southwest.

Additionally, the tropical submontane forest is located above 1,220 m and is found in an area with considerable rainfall; yet, there aren't many noticeable fluctuations in temperature between winter and summer. The central highland region of Sri Lanka is home to a tropical montane forest habitat, which is often found above 1,000 meters. This nation's tropical wet monsoon forests can be found in the area between dry mixed evergreen forests and tropical rain forests.

The majority of Sri Lanka's climax vegetation cover has been significantly reduced by substantial forest removal for habitation, timber harvesting, and agriculture. As notable survivors of the old evergreen forests that once covered the Wet Zone, only the Sinharaja forest and the Peak Wilderness in the southwest interior remain. The majority of the Dry Zone's woods are secondary vegetation that evolved over hundreds of years of recurrent clearing and farming. The variety and abundance of flora and wildlife in Sri Lanka's pristine forests are amazing. Through uncontrolled exploitation, wildlife such as elephants, leopards, bears, buffalo, and peafowl as well as tree species including ebony, mahogany, satinwood, and teak are rapidly disappearing.

River System

About 100 "rivers," the most of which are only wet-season rivulets, make up Sri Lanka's surface drainage system. The country's mean annual river discharge is accounted for by twelve major rivers, with those that totally traverse the Wet Zone (the highlands and the southwest; see below) contributing nearly half of the total discharge. All significant rivers, with the exception of the Mahaweli River, which is 208 miles long and flows radially from the Central Highlands to the sea.

The Mahaweli flows toward the northeast coast after beginning on the western slopes of the highest parts of the highlands and taking a meandering path in its upper reaches before entering the plain east of the highlands. This river is a great asset for irrigation in the drier areas of the country since a portion of its catchment is far within the Wet Zone, giving it a bigger and less seasonally fluctuating flow than the other Dry Zone rivers.

Conclusion

An island country off the southeast coast of India with a pear-shaped shape is called Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). It is distinguished by a variety of geographical characteristics, such as crystalline rock formations, highlands, plains, and stunning sandy beaches along its 1,340 km long coastline. The weather is tropical, with greater lowland temperatures and lower central highland temperatures. Tropical wet lowland evergreen forests, montane forests, and different wildlife species make up Sri Lanka's flora and fauna. There are around 100 rivers in the island's river system, with the Mahaweli River being the longest and most crucial for irrigation.

FAQs

1. What standout physical characteristics does Sri Lanka possess?

Sri Lanka has a variety of landscapes, including highlands, plains, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear rock formations.

2. How does the weather in Sri Lanka?

The lowlands of Sri Lanka get continuously high temperatures, while the central highlands experience lower temperatures. The nation's patterns of rainfall are diverse.

3. What types of plants and animals can you find in Sri Lanka?

The nation is home to montane forests, tropical wet lowland evergreen forests, elephants, leopards, bears, buffalo, and peafowl, among other wildlife species.

4. What is Sri Lanka's main river?

The longest and most significant river in Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli River, provides irrigation to the nation's arid regions.