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Central Province, Sri Lanka

Coordinates: 7°20′N 80°45′E / 7.333°N 80.750°E / 7.333; 80.750
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Central Province
මධ්‍යම පළාත
மத்திய மாகாணம்
Province
Flag of Central Province
Flag
Location within Sri Lanka
Location within Sri Lanka
Country Sri Lanka
Created1833
Admitted14 November 1987
CapitalKandy
Largest CityKandy
Government
 • GovernorTikiri Kobbekaduwa
 • Chief MinisterSarath Ekanayake
Area
 • Total5,674 km2 (2,191 sq mi)
 • Rank6th (8.63% of total area)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total2,423,966
 • Rank2nd (12.97% of total pop.)
 • Density430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Gross Regional Product
 (2010)[1]
 • TotalRs 465 billion
 • Rank4th (9.6% of total)
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka)
Official LanguagesSinhala, Tamil
Websitecpcouncil.net

The Central Province (Sinhala: මධ්‍යම පළාත Madhyama Palata, Tamil: மத்திய மாகாணம் Malaiyakam Maakaanam) of Sri Lanka consists primarily of mountainous terrain. Both the hill capital Kandy and the city of Nuwara Eliya are located within the Central Province as well as Sri Pada. The province produces much of the famous Ceylon tea, planted by the British in the 1860s after a devastating disease killed all the coffee plantations in the province. Central Province attracts many tourists, with hill station towns such as Kandy, Gampola, Hatton and Nuwara Eliya.

History

Though three successive European powers invaded Sri Lanka during the 16th to the 19th century, the Central Province maintained its independence until the early 19th century when the British finally managed to conqueror Kandy.

The historic Matale town, Temple of the Tooth, Dambulla cave temple,Aluwihare temple and the Sigiriya rock is also in the Central Province.

Geography

The province has an area of 5,674 km²,and a population of 2,421,148. Some major towns include Kandy (119 186), Matale (39 869), Dambulla (75 290), Gampola (26 481), Nuwara Eliya (27 449) Hatton (16 790).

Climate

The climate is cool, and many areas about 1500 metres often have chilly nights. The western slopes are very wet, some places having almost 7000 mm of rain per year. The eastern slopes are parts of the mid-dry zone as it is receiving rain only from North-Eastern monsoon. The Temperatures range from 24°C at Kandy to just 16°C in Nuwara Eliya, which is located 1,889 m above sea level. The highest mountains in Sri Lanka are located in the Central Province. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with deep valleys cutting into it. The two main mountain regions are the central massif and the Knuckles range to the east of Kandy.

Demographics

The population is a mixture of Sinhalese, Tamil and the Moors. Many tea plantation workers are Indian Tamils, brought over to Sri Lanka by the British in the 19th century.

Ethnicity

Ethnic group Population %
Sinhala 1,584,100 65.35%
Indian Tamil 122,438 5.05%
Sri Lankan Moor 482,945 19.92%
Sri Lankan Tamil 223,076 9.2%
Burger 3,589 0.15%
other 7,818 0.32%
Total 2,423,966 100.00%

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Districts of Sri Lanka, Divisional Secretariats of Sri Lanka, and List of cities in Sri Lanka

Central Province is divided into 3 districts and 36 divisional secretariats.

Districts

Administrative Divisions of Central Province
district Capital Area (km²) Population
Kandy District Kandy 1,940 1,279,028
Matale District Matale 1,993 441,328
Nuwara Eliya District Nuwara Eliya 1,741 703,610

Divisional Secretariats

Main article: Divisional Secretariats of Central Province, Sri Lanka

The districts of the Sri Lanka are divided into administrative sub-units known as divisional secretariats. These were originally based on the feudal counties, the korales and ratas. They were formerly known as 'D.R.O. Divisions' after the 'Divisional Revenue Officer'. Later the D.R.O.s became 'Assistant Government Agents' and the Divisions were known as 'A.G.A. Divisions'. Currently, the Divisions are administered by a 'Divisional Secretary', and are known as a 'D.S. Divisions'.

There are 36 divisional secretariats divided in Central Province, which are listed below, by district. There are 20 in Kandy District, 11 in Matale District and 5 in Nuwara Eliya District.

Major Cities

  • Kandy (Municipal Council)

Suburbs of Kandy


Big Towns

Other Towns

Kandy
Largest cities and towns in Central Province, Sri Lanka
Rank City Admin. District Pop. Rank City Admin. District Pop.
1 Kandy Kandy 119,186 7 Nawalapitiya Kandy 14,685
2 Dambulla Matale 75,290 8 Talawakele Nuwara Eliya 3,458
3 Matale Matale 39,869 9 Harispattuwa Kandy 1,690
4 Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya 27,449 10 Kadugannawa Kandy 1,323
5 Gampola Kandy 26,481 11 Sigiriya Matale 1,068
6 Hatton Kandy 16,790
2009 estimate[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ :.News Line : North, East record highest GDP growth rate
  2. ^ http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1208411424&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-127&srt=npan&col=adhoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=&srt=pnan

Maps

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Central Province, Sri Lanka.

7°20′N 80°45′E / 7.333°N 80.750°E / 7.333; 80.750

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