Sri Lanka: Geography

The World Factbook 1993: Sri Lanka Geography

Location: South Asia, 29 km southeast of India across the Palk Strait in the Indian Ocean

Area: total area: 65,610 km2 land area: 64,740 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,340 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

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

Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay

Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 37% other: 23%

Irrigated land: 5,600 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment: occasional cyclones, tornados; deforestation; soil erosion

Note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes