The Land

Terraced rice fields

Sri Lanka can be divided into two distinct halves. The northern half is a flat plain leading to the Jaffna peninsula. A series of coral islands called Adam's Bridge runs from the north west coast of Sri Lanka to the south west coast of India.

The southern half is dominated by a central mountainous area over 2000 metres high, the two highest points being Mt Pidurutalaga and Adam's Peak. Adam's Peak, once thought to be higher than Pidurutalaga, is an important pilgrimage site for all the country's religions - Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The coastal areas of the south, south east and west are mainly sandy with palm trees and lagoons and are especially popular tourist destinations. The northern coastline is much rockier.