We are sure that many of our readers will think of bloody conflicts when Sri Lanka is mentioned. Unfortunately, the country experienced a major civil war from 1983 to 2009. After the war, which was finally suppressed, political stability gradually began to be established in the country. It is good that those days are over because we learned as the world that Sri Lanka is indeed a heavenly country.
Sri Lanka, a small island country located right next to India, has an ancient history of thousands of years and a geography that amazes those who see it. In addition to the traces of the British who colonized the region for a long time, the local culture is also evident in every step of the country’s streets. On the other hand, let’s take a closer look at interesting information about Sri Lanka, some of which you will hear for the first time, whose wild nature is still standing.
Unusual facts about Sri Lanka:
- It has an interesting nickname because of its location.
- Sri Lanka is a complete expert on renewable energy.
- Asia’s first in education.
- Sri Lanka has an incredible biodiversity.
- One of the oldest flags in the world belongs to Sri Lanka.
- Does Ceylon tea sound familiar from somewhere?
- It is possible to encounter a UNESCO heritage in the country every step of the way.
- The world’s oldest tree planted by human hands is located in Sri Lanka.
It has an interesting nickname because of its location:
When you look at the world map and want to find Sri Lanka, you come across an interesting image. The country is an island in the lower right corner of India that looks like a blob from it. For this reason, Sri Lanka is called the Tears of India, unfortunately, the bloody events in the country strengthen this name. Another name for the country is the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka also deserves this name because the country’s biodiversity is one of the richest in Asia.
Sri Lanka is a complete expert on renewable energy:
Sri Lanka’s recovery has started well and continues rapidly. There are exactly 15 hydroelectric power plants in the country, which wants to minimize foreign dependence on energy. According to 2017 figures, 50 percent of the country’s energy needs are met from renewable resources, and 20 percent from these hydroelectric power plants. Thanks to the numerous rivers and waterfalls in the country, these power plants work smoothly.
Asia’s first in education:
The Sri Lankan government has attached great importance to education so that the events that took place do not happen again. Compared to other countries in South Asia, Sri Lanka has the highest literacy rate. In other words, 92 percent of people over the age of 15 in the country can read and write. Moreover, the rate of doing best in mathematics, that is, simple mathematical operations, which is evaluated in the same category as literacy, is 92 percent. This rate is targeted to be 100 percent in the near future.
Sri Lanka has an incredible biodiversity:
Sri Lanka, despite being a small island country, has an incredible biodiversity. 123 different mammal species, 227 different bird species, 178 different reptile species and 122 different amphibian species live in the country. It is possible to encounter many different creatures during regular safari trips in areas such as Udawalawe National Park, Minneriya National Park, Wilpattu National Park and Yala National Park. There are 7500 Asian elephants living in the country.
Do not think that this biodiversity exists only on land, the country’s coasts are just as rich. If you want to have my tea and drink it while looking at the ocean on the beach, it’s easy to see a blue whale. If you join the blue cruises, you can see plenty of sperm whales, fin whales, killer whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish and even sharks. Of course, for this reason, it is useful not to open too much while swimming.
One of the world’s oldest flags belongs to Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka was colonized by the British in 1815. This terrible period ended in 1948 and the country declared its independence. Unfortunately, a civil war started in 1983 and only ended in 2009. Don’t think that Bran is a nascent state after hearing this political turmoil because Sri Lanka was founded by Prince Vijaya in the 5th century as the Land of the Lions and the flag used today dates from those days when the country was founded.
Does Ceylon tea sound familiar from somewhere?
Ceylon tea, which is one of the most consumed types of black tea all over the world, especially in our country, is produced in Sri Lanka. The reason why it is called by this name is that the country was called Ceylon when it was a British colony. Tea agriculture, which started with the planting of a tea plant brought from China for the first time in 1824, is one of the largest industries in the country today. More than one million people in the country earn their living from tea. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest exporters of tea.
It is possible to encounter a UNESCO heritage in the country every step of the way:
We have said that Sri Lanka has an ancient culture of thousands of years, it is not us, UNESCO is saying this. There are eight UNESCO world heritage sites in the country. Considering how small a country it is, this number is quite high. The UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka are:
- Sacred City of Kandy
- Sigiriya Ancient City
- Sacred City of Anuradhapura
- Galle Old Town and Walls
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City
- Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve
- Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
The world’s oldest man-planted tree is located in Sri Lanka:
The fig tree named Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in the Mahamewna Gardens is considered sacred as the world’s oldest tree planted by human hands and has an interesting story. While meditating in India, Lord Gautama Buddha leaned against a tree and instantly experienced enlightenment. He cut a piece of the tree and took it to Sri Lanka and planted it here in 228 BC. Protected by Buddhist monks for thousands of years, many security measures have been taken around the tree to avoid damage.
We talked about the extraordinary information about Sri Lanka, which has one of the richest biodiversity in the world, some of which you have heard for the first time. We hope that we will never have to hear the name of this beautiful country again because of conflicts.
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