Sri Lanka

Comprises island of the same name and small islets. Settled by proto-Australoid peoples from southern Asia; Indo-Europeans immigrated here in the 5th century BCE, developed into Sinhalese; was Buddhist center by 3rd century BCE; invasions by Hindu Tamils from India 1st-12th century; visited by Arabs in the 12th century, by Europeans in the 16th century; official languages are Sinhalese and Tamil, though English is also used.

Quick Facts on Sri Lanka

Go Historic ID
36758
Names
Sri Lanka
Location
Population
23,044,123 (#58 in world) (2021 est.)
Languages
Sinhala (official and national language) 87%, Tamil (official and national language) 28.5%, English 23.8% (2012 est.)
Ethnic Groups
Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)
Religions
Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.)