Nature Attractions of Sri Lanka

Teardrop island of Sri Lanka is full of natural wonders. From huge rocks in the middle of forests, to herds of wild elephants and rolling hills, Sri Lanka has plenty to offer the nature lover. You will find a wide range of ecosystem here, too. There is a coastal beach, dry forest and rain forests. There misty hills and mountain ranges.

The island consists mostly of flat to rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the south-central part. The highest point is Pidurutalagala, reaching 2,524 meters above sea level.

Sri Lanka has 103 rivers. The longest is the Mahaweli River, extending 335 kilometers. These waterways give rise to 51 natural waterfalls of 10 meters or more. The highest is Bambarakanda Falls, with a height of 263 meters. Sri Lankan coastline is 1,585 km long. Coastline and surrounding waters support highly productive marine ecosystems such as fringing coral reefs and shallow beds of coastal and estuarine sea grasses.

Sri Lanka has 45 estuarine and 40 lagoons. Sri Lanka mangrove ecosystems cover more than 7,000 hectares. Sri Lanka is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world. Although the country is relatively small in size, has the highest density of biodiversity in Asia. Most are very high of species between flora and fauna, 27% of the 3,210 flowering plants and 22% of the mammals are endemic. Sri Lanka has declared 24 wildlife reserves, which are home to a variety of native species such as the Asian elephant, leopard, sloth bear, and the unique small loris, a variety of deer, the purple-faced languor, the endangered wild boar, porcupines and Indian pangolins.

Sri Lanka is home to over 250 types of resident birds. It has been stated several bird sanctuaries including Kumana. There are 22 National Parks in Sri Lanka and most popular four Yala, Wilpattu, Minneriya and Udawalawe contains some of the most impressive wildlife found in Asia.