For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors. Head for the rolling hills to escape the heat of the plains in the cool of tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life, and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low. Marco Polo considered Sri Lanka the finest island of its size in all the world, and you'll likely agree after exploring the country's fabled delights. What takes your fancy? Beaches? The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. Culture? Try the Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances. Ruins? You'll find enough ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy that inner archaeologist. Warning Though the worst of Sri Lanka's civil war is past, numerous regions are still considered too dangerous to travel. Pockets of the northern and eastern areas are heavily mined. The security situation in the Jaffna Peninsula remains uncertain. Visits can be made to Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay but should be restricted to these places. Areas north of Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Nilaveli, as well as the eastern side of the island south of Trincomalee, including Batticaloa, should be avoided. In Colombo and southern tourist resorts, theft and violent crime are often aimed at foreigners. That said, southwestern Sri Lanka is safer now than it has been in years. Full country name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Area: 66,000 sq km Population: 19 million Capital City: Colombo People: 74% Sinhalese, 18% Tamils, 7% Moor, 1% other Language: Sinhalese, Tamil, English Religion: 69% Buddhist, 15% Hindu, 8% Muslim, 8% Christian Government: republic Head of State: President Chandrika Kumaratunga Head of Government: Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse GDP: US$48.1 billion GDP per capita: US$2,500 Annual Growth: 4.7% Inflation: 9.3% Major Industries: Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco Major Trading Partners: US, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, India, Iran, Taiwan, Belgium, Hong Kong, China, South Korea

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