Southern Province
Sri Lanka · Asia
About Southern Province
Southern Province is a province on the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Southern Province travel guide
Understand
The area encompassed by Southern Province has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of early settlements dating back to the Anuradhapura period. Galle was a key port for international trade, attracting merchants from Arabia, China, and Europe. The Galle Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1588, and was expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century, leaving behind a lasting colonial influence. During British rule, the province became a hub for cinnamon and coconut plantations. In 1833, the British established the Southern Province as part of their administrative structure.
Getting there
The coastal railway line (also known as the southern line) from Colombo provides an efficient, scenic, and cheap way to enter the province. The railway extends as far east as Beliatta and construction all the way to Kataragama in Uva Province is planned. Tourist destinations served by rail in order of increasing distance from Colombo include Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Koggala, Mirissa and Matara.
Getting around
You may be able to tease some bus information from the Southern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority website.
See
Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks. Ussangoda in Ambalantota is a panoramic view of the beach and the sea, and the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama and Kirinda. Although Galle is also an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.