1. SRILANKASRILANKA

2. Land Known as Ceylon until 1972 Political Capital: Kotte Commercial Capital: Colombo Island-nation Fewer than 20 miles off the coast of India. Covering 25,332 square miles; slightly larger than West Virginia. About 32% of the land is forested

4. Language Official languages: Sinhala and Tamil. The constitution designates English as a unifying language.

5. Religion Theravada Buddhism: the more conservative branch of the religion: About 70 % About 15% (mostly Tamils) are Hindus. 8% Muslim and 8% Christian

6. Traditional Attire for Women Sri Lankans take great pride in their appearance. A woman wears a saree or redda (a wraparound skirt that is tucked at the waist) with a hatte (blouse) that leaves the midriff bare. Youth and people in cities wear Western-style clothing

8. Traditional Attire for Men Loose-fitting trousers and a long shirt that reaches to mid- thigh. A sarong that reaches to the ankles.

9. Dating and Marriage If a young couple begins a serious relationship, they are expected to eventually marry. Arranged marriages are still common. Marriage between members of different ethnic groups is socially unacceptable.

10. Recreation Cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, followed by soccer, table tennis, and volleyball.

11. PRESIDENT (Head of state and government) Mahinda Rajapaksa

12. Population 56 th most populous country at a little under 21 million people Ethnic Groups: Sinhalese: 74% of the population; in the southwest The Ceylon (Sri Lankan Tamils) Tamils: ancestors lived on the island for centuries The Indian Tamils: ancestors imported during the British colonial era.

13. Sri Lankan Civil War 1983-2009 Tamil Tigers: separatist militant organization fought to create an independent Tamil state Considered a terrorist organization Defeated by the Sri Lankan military