*** Welcome to piglix ***

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya
නුවර එළිය (Sinhalese)
நுவரேலியா (Tamil)
City
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya Town Hall and racecourse Ground
Nuwara Eliya Town Hall and racecourse Ground
Nickname(s): Little England
Nuwara Eliya is located in Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Map of Sri Lanka showing the location of Nuwara Eliya
Coordinates: 6°58′0″N 80°46′0″E / 6.96667°N 80.76667°E / 6.96667; 80.76667Coordinates: 6°58′0″N 80°46′0″E / 6.96667°N 80.76667°E / 6.96667; 80.76667
Country Sri Lanka
Province Central Province
District Nuwara Eliya District
Government
 • Type Municipal Council
Area
 • Urban 13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation 1,868 m (6,129 ft)
Population (2011 census)
 • City 27,500
 • Density 3,197/km2 (8,280/sq mi)
Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)
Postcode 22200
Area code(s) 052

Nuwara Eliya (Sinhalese: නුවර එළිය [nuwərə ɛlijə]; Tamil: நுவரேலியா) is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate — the coolest area in Sri Lanka.

The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England, was a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.

Although the town was founded in the 19th century by the British, the district is today visited by native travelers, especially during April, the season of flowers, pony races, go cart races and auto rally.

Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, St Andrew's Hotel and Town Post Office. New hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. Visitors the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting the landmark buildings. Many private homes maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens.


...
Wikipedia

...