Geo Unit 03
Geo Unit 03
Geo Unit 03
Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean with a land area of about 65,610 km², has a variety of
landscapes, each with unique physical and human features. Let's explore the main regions:
1. Hill Country
• Elevation: Above 300m sea level, mainly in the Central Hills and Sabaragamuwa Hills.
• Physical Features:
o Mountain ranges, plateaus, rivers flowing through valleys, waterfalls, and gaps.
o Vegetation cover compatible with relief and climate.
o Tea plantations with tea factories, worker houses, bungalows, and developed road
systems.
o Commercial cultivation of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and livestock farms.
o Road networks with many bends due to the hilly terrain.
• Human Activities:
o Tea cultivation and associated industries.
o Tourist attractions including hotels, tourist bungalows, and recreational areas.
• Tourist Features:
o Both local and foreign tourists visit for physical and mental relaxation.
2. Dry Zone
5. Coastal Belt
• Features:
o Islands, bays, lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, and sand sheets.
• Human Activities:
o Fishing in shallow sea and lagoons.
o Industries based on coastal resources like coir products and dry fish.
o Tourist attractions with hotels, restaurants, archaeological sites, lighthouses,
religious centers, and sanctuaries.
• Tourist Features:
o Attractive coastal areas like Tangalle, Hambantota, Passikudah, Unawatuna,
Arugam Bay, and Hikkaduwa coral reefs.
• Environmental Concerns:
o Damage due to coral reef breaking and sand removal from beaches.
Summary: Though Sri Lanka is a small island, it has diverse landscapes. Traveling from North
to South or East to West, one can observe all these landscapes in a day, showcasing the island's
rich physical and cultural diversity.