Overall Score
The largest city in Sri Lanka, Colombe, sits on the shore of the Lakkadia Sea in the eastern part of the country. There is constant high humidity, temperatures around 26-28deg all year round, and the mosquitoes are dominant, bringing heavy precipitation. Colombe is in a heavily populated region and has the largest population in Sri Lanka, with more than 5.5 million people. The Greater Colombo region also includes the capital of the country – Sri Jayayahuera-Cottera.
It is curious that the name of the city given to it by the Portuguese in honor of Christopher Colombe is related to the local Singolian name Colombe – Êîlá-àìba-tota, which stood for «manga-gunga-raquo;.
Colombo developed historically as a port settlement. It is known that 2,000 years ago ships of Chinese, Indian and even Roman merchants entered the city of Colombo. From the 8th century onward, the factories of the Arabian merchants in the Mongolian province controlled a large part of the local Sino-Singaporean princes. In the 16th century, the Portugalians came here, and were expelled by the Dutch East Indian Company in 1656. From 1802, when the English settled on the island, Cololey became the capital of the country. The city retained its capital status after the independence of Sri Lanka (1848) until 1983. Yet the countrys main economic power is in Colombo, as are its largest research and education institutions. Colombe – one of the largest ports in the South Asian region.
The center of the business and cultural life of Colombe – the Fort area, so named because of the fortitude of the porrogals that guarded the port. It is now home to banks, grocery stores, hotels, and administrative buildings. The individual neighborhoods in Colombo vary greatly in their architectural appearance as well as in the ethnic composition of their populations.
Colombos main features are the Jemmy-ul-Alfar Chapel (1909), which is a flint-colored pier, and the Jemmy-ul-Alfar Chapel (1909), The Hindu temple of Gangaramaiah (1841), Viharamhadevi Park (1865), the National Museum, the University and the City Hall. A favorite place for walking and recreation – the wide waterfront-École des Halle-Feuils.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 64 US AQI Moderate. Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 650,000 people
- GDP: $3,910 / year
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 8 Mbps
- Best wireless: AirTel
- Pay without cash: No, cash only esp. for foreigners
- Tipping: Rs. 200 tip is enough at most upscale restaurants. Small change less than Rs. 100 is fine for smaller cafes and restaurants. Most locals do not tip at restaurants and a 10% (or an amount relative to the total bill) is not expected as such.
- Apartment listings:
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Pickme
- Best hospital: Durdans
- Best short-haul air carrier: Sri Lankan Airlines
- Best intl air carrier: Sri Lankan Airlines
- Monthly costs for expat: $650
- Monthly costs for family: $1100
- Monthly costs for local: $320
- Meal: $1.3
- Small Cola: $0.2
- Beer 1 Pint: $0.6
- Coffee: $0.4
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