FACTS

Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India

Area (only Total) total: 65,610 sq km

Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)

Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Population: 21,128,773

Main Language (only first): Sinhala

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Colombo

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+5.5

Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948)