Vital Statistics 2002
- Size: 65525km
- Capital: Sri Jayawadenepura
- Commercial capital: Colombo
- Annual per capita GNP: US$876
- Population: 19.6million
- Population density: 311 people per sq km
- Life expectancy at birth: 74 female,69 male
- Literacy rate: 91.8percent
- Languages: Sinhala, Tamil ,English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages.
- Ethnic mix: Sinhalese,74percent;Tamlis,18 percent;
Muslims,7percent;Burgers(descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonists)and others 1 percent
- Religions: Buddhism,70 percent;Hinduism,16percent;
Christianity,7percent,Islam,7percent
- Climate: Lowlands tropical,average270C
Central Hills cooler, with temperatures dropping to 140C .The south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July. While the north-eastern monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. Sri Lanka boosts a good climate for holiday-makers throughout the year.
- Location: Island off the south-eastern shores of India,5055 and 9050 north of the equator in the Indian Ocean.
- Major Exports: Textiles and garments petroleum products, tea, rubber &rubber products, gems and jewellery and spices.
- Labour Force: 37 percent agriculture;44 percent industry and commerce;19 percent service industries.
Data as of 2002 by Department of Census and Statistics www.statistics.gov.lk
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