Geography & environment — Sri Lanka
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Sri Lanka: Asia
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Asia
- Geographic Coordinates
7 00 N, 81 00 E
- Total Area
25,332 Square Miles 65,610 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
24,954 Square Miles 64,630 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
378 Square Miles 980 Square Kilometers
- Coastline
833 Miles 1,340 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
- Highest Point
2,524 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
- Lowest Point Location
Indian Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
2,201 Square Miles 5,700 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Monsoons produce two rainy seasons. The southwest monsoon lasts roughly from May to September. During this period, the southwestern part of the island, including Colombo, receives much of its average annual rainfall of 100 inches. The northeast monsoon, from about October or November through February, provides the northern and eastern parts of the island virtually all their average annual rainfall of 60 inches. Monsoon showers can become torrential in the Colombo area. December through March generally proves the driest period.
- Terrain
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
- Location
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
- Total Area
25,332 Square Miles 65,610 Square Kilometers
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
deforestation
soil erosion
wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization
coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution
freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff
waste disposal
air pollution in Colombo
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation