Sri Lanka: Geography#
| Location | Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India |
|---|---|
| Geographic Coordinates | 7 00 N, 81 00 E 7.0,81.0 |
| Area | total: 65,610 sq km land: 64,630 sq km water: 980 sq km [Verified in 8 databases] |
| Land boundaries | 0 km |
| Coastline | 1,340 km |
| Elevation Extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m |
| Highest Mountains | According to Wolfram: Piduruthalagala 2524 m; Adam's Peak 2243 m According to Geonames:Pidurutalagala 2524 m; Adam’s Peak 2243 m; Kikilimana 2240 m; Mahakudagala 2100 m; Water Fall P. T. New 2076 m List verified partially Attempted Explanation: Please help us to try to explain the discrepancies by sending us helpful information to office nospam@TUGraz.at @global-geography.org Important Mountains |
| Terrain | mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior |
| Natural Hazards | occasional cyclones and tornadoes |
| Natural Resource | limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower |
| Land Use | arable land: 18.29% permanent crops: 14.94% other: 66.77% (2011) |
| Climate | tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) |
| Irrigated Land | 5,700 sq km (2003) |
| Renewable Water Resources | 52.8 cu km (2011) |
| Environment_CurrentIssues | deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation |
| Large Cities | Colombo; Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia; Moratuwa; Jaffna; Negombo Colombo; Galkissa; Moratuwa; Jaffna; Negombo [List Verified] Explanation: Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia and Galkissa are same Important Cities |
| Geography-note | strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes |