Trincomalee is the capital of the Eastern Province lying on the east coast of the island. The city is a height of 8 meters above sea level. The average temperature in Trincomalee is 27.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1631 mm. Trincomalee is world-famous for the natural deep-water harbor. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbors. Trincomalee has always been a strategic location since the European traders were trading across Asia. Situated on a peninsula on the north-east coast of Sri Lanka, this port city is often referred to simply as Trinco. Its beaches are renowned for their pristine quality and shallow water ideal for swimming. These beaches are sheltered by the bay and for over 100 meters, the water stretch is shallow enough for you to walk into the ocean. The beaches provide a wide range of recreational activities such as swimming, bathing, surfing, scuba diving, fishing, and even whale watching. Trinco is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island such as Uppuveli and Nilaveli, and stunning corals at Pigeon Island, which is a marine national park situated on an island. Trincomalee, a natural deep-water harbor, has attracted seafarers like Marco Polo, Ptolemy, and sea traders from China and East Asia since ancient times. Trinco, as it is commonly called, has been a seaport since the days of the ancient Sri Lankan kings. The earliest known reference to the port of Gokarna is found in the Mahavamsa stating that in 5th century BC, when King Vijaya who having failed to convince his brother to come to Sri Lanka as his successor, got down his youngest son Panduvasdeva, who landed at Gokarna and was subsequently enthroned at Upatissagama. The city of Trincomalee is also a treasure trove worth discovering. It has the largest Dutch Fort in the country, Fort Federick. Originally, built by the Portuguese from the remnant of the demolished ancient Hindu Koneswaram temple, the structure was fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. The ancient Kanniya hot springs dating back to the legendary King Ravana period are another popular attraction. The water in these springs is believed to have curative properties.
