Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, is located to the south of the Indian subcontinent. It lies between 5º55' and 9º55' north of the equator and between the eastern longitudes 79º42' and 81º52'. Sri Lanka is shaped like a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50-km-wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge that almost form a land bridge between the two countries.

With a length of 445 km and breadth of 225 km, Sri Lanka encompasses beautiful tropical beaches, verdant vegetation, ancient monuments and a thousand delights to please all tastes. The relief features of the island consist of a mountainous mass somewhat south of the center with heights exceeding 2,500 m surrounded by broad plains. Palm-fringed beaches surround the island.

The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country. The entire northern half comprises a large plain extending from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The highest mountain is the 2524-m-high Mt Pidurutalagala (near Nuwara Eliya) and the longest river is the Mahaweli that courses from the center and empties into the Indian Ocean at Trincomalee. The best beaches are on the southwestern, southern and southeastern coasts.

In the lowlands, the climate is typically tropical with an average temperature of 27°C in Colombo. In the higher elevations, it can be quite cool with temperatures going down to 16ºC at an altitude of nearly 2,000 m. Bright, sunny warm days are the rule and are common even during the height of the monsoon—climatically Sri Lanka has no off-season. The southwest monsoon brings rain mainly from May to July to the western, southern and central regions of the island, while the northeast monsoon rains occur in the northern and eastern regions in December and January.

The abundance of Sri Lanka's bird life makes it an ornithologist's paradise. Of the recorded 431 species, 251 are resident and no less than 21 are endemic to the island. Of the 242 known species of butterflies, most are found in the regions of the lower foothills (up to 910 m). A few (six species) can be glimpsed above 1210 m.

Of the 86 species of mammals, the pride of place goes to the majestic elephant. Other mammals include the sloth bear, the protected dugong, the wild boar, the porcupine and monkeys, especially the gray langur, which is common throughout the island. Of special interest is the endemic purple-faced leaf monkey, found in the higher hill regions. The island abounds in reptiles of which 75 are endemic. Of the two endemic species of crocodile, the commonest is the marsh crocodile. The beautiful star tortoise is the only land tortoise. Besides, there are five species of turtles, all protected by law. Of the 83 species of snakes, only five are lethal, these being cobra, Russell's viper, Indian krait, Ceylon krait, and the saw-scaled viper.

The diversified climate allows for trees, tropical as well as temperate. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet-zone tropical forests contrast with the arid scrubland and tall palms of the north and east. In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless patanas—Moon Plains, Elk Plains, etc.—to the dark rhododendron forests, wreathed with the protected sphagnum moss, to the gorse covered Horton Plains. From March to May numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poinciana regia, the white Mesua ferrea, and the cherry blossom-like tabebuia burst into bloom. Flowering orchids include endemic varieties such as the protected daffodil and wesak orchids.

      Sri Lanka has a year round abundance of fruits—pineapple, papaya, banana and mango are plentiful throughout the year. Between the months of July and October, mangoosteen, passion fruit, avocado, pear, durian, rambuttan and oranges are also available. For centuries spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated exports, among them cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, pepper, etc. Sri Lanka abounds in tea, rubber and coconut plantations.