SRI LANKA

Encircled by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka unfolds from low coastal plains to a central spine of highlands, creating distinct climatic and cultural regions within a teardrop-shaped island. Its position along historic maritime routes brought traders and settlers to its shores, leaving behind a varied cultural landscape. Today, it presents a mix of historic sites, wildlife reserves and coastal settlements.

The Cultural Triangle lies at its heart, linking Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, where early kingdoms left behind planned cities and monumental architecture. The old capital, Kandy, remains a key cultural centre, anchored by the Temple of the Tooth (said to hold Buddha’s upper-left canine). Further south-east, in Yala and Udawalawe, there are dry forests and grasslands that support elephants, leopards and rich birdlife. The island’s centre rises into cooler highlands, where colonial-era tea plantations shape landscapes around Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Colombo, on the southwest coast, combines galleries and historic quarters, while the southern and eastern edges possess distinct coastal settings influenced by seasonal monsoon patterns.