The Geography of Sri Lanka & the Maldives
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are two South Asian island nations in the Indian Ocean. While relatively close to each other, they offer unique and diverse profiles in terms of their climates, physical, and human geography.
Sri Lanka
The island of Sri Lanka lies just to the southeast of India. It had early settlements and kingdoms like the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The island’s location attracted colonizers, starting with the Portuguese in the early 16th century, followed by the Dutch, and finally the British.
After nearly 150 years of colonization, Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948. It later saw a brutal civil war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), from 1983 to 2009.
The island features a diverse geography including beautiful coastlines, central highlands, lakes, and rivers.
The central highlands are dominated by the Knuckles and Central mountains, with Pidurutalagala being the highest peak reaching over 8200 feet. The island’s rivers, such as the Mahaweli and Kelani, are crucial for agriculture and hydroelectricity.
Sri Lanka features a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons influenced by monsoons. The southwest monsoon, from May to September, brings heavy rains to the southwestern part of the island, while a December to February monsoon affects the northeast. Average temperatures range between 77°F to 86°F year-round in coastal regions but can drop in the central highlands.
Colombo, the largest city, is the country’s commercial and industrial center. It attracts travelers with its mix of skyscrapers, colonial buildings, and markets. Kandy, another key city, is renowned for its culture, particularly the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a pilgrimage site and tourist attraction. The historic city of Galle, with its well-preserved Galle Fort, is an example of the country's colonial history.
Sri Lanka’s economy is diverse, with agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Tea, rubber, and coconut are major agricultural exports, while manufacturing of textiles and garments provide employment. However, the economy faces challenges such as political instability and high debt.
The Maldives
The Maldives’ history has been influenced by South Indian, Sri Lankan, and Arab traders. Islam was introduced in 1153, shaping local culture. The Maldives were a British protectorate from 1887 until gaining full independence in 1965. Since then, the Maldives has developed rapidly, transforming from a predominantly fishing-based economy to a popular luxury tourism destination.
The Maldives consists of 26 atolls, which are made up of over 1,000 coral islands spread across 34,750 sq. miles. The islands are low-lying, with the highest natural point barely reaching 8 feet above sea level. This makes the Maldives particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Coral reefs, lagoons, and white sand beaches contribute to its reputation as a tropical paradise.
The Maldives also experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity. The country has a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. Temperatures generally hover around 75°F to 88°F throughout the year, with high levels of humidity and occasional cyclones.
Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Maldives. This densely populated area is home to most of the country’s population, government institutions, and commercial activities. To address the population pressure on Malé, Hulhumalé, a reclaimed island, has been developed with modern infrastructure and planned urban spaces. Addu City, the second-largest urban area, is also important due to its location and economic activities.
The Maldivian economy is reliant on tourism. Fishing, particularly tuna fishing, is another important sector. In recent years, the Maldives has also focused on developing financial services and offshore banking.