Matara is a major city in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. It's known for its beautiful coastal scenery, historical significance, and cultural heritage. The city is located about 160 kilometers south of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Matara has a rich history, with colonial influences from the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, and it's home to several historical landmarks, such as the Matara Fort and the Star Fort.
Ubicación:Matara se encuentra a 160 km al sur de Colombo, en la costa sur de Sri Lanka.
Cómo llegar a Matara: Se puede llegar a Matara por la carretera principal Colombo–Galle–Matara así como por la línea de tren.
Entorno: El río Nilwala desemboca en el Océano Índico en la playa de Matara, dividiendo la ciudad en dos áreas: el casco antiguo, ubicado en el estuario, y la ciudad nueva en tierra firme. El puente Mahanama de seis carriles conecta la ciudad con el estuario.
Ciudad nueva: La ciudad nueva de Matara se extiende en todas las direcciones. La estación de tren, bancos, tiendas, el campo de críquet y el Fuerte Estrella Holandés ocupan lugares destacados.
Ciudad antigua: El casco antiguo de Matara, también conocido como el distrito colonial en el estuario llamado Fort, alberga la antigua casa de descanso, la Iglesia Reformada Holandesa, la estación de autobuses, el mercado y una mezquita.
Matara – Centro de transporte:Matara es el principal centro de transporte de la Provincia del Sur, con una estación de autobuses bien organizada ubicada en el casco antiguo.
Alojamiento en Matara: Las zonas preferidas para alojarse en Matara son las playas de Polhena y Medawatta.
Playa Polhena & Playa Medawatta: La playa de Polhena ofrece buenas oportunidades para hacer esnórquel, mientras que Medawatta es ideal para practicar surf.
Matara es un destino popular conocido por sus playas, sitios culturales y su vibrante vida local.
Matara District, located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, is renowned for its coastal beauty, rich history, and thriving local culture. Bordered by the Indian Ocean, it features stunning beaches like Polhena and Mirissa, which are popular for swimming and whale watching. The district's economy is driven by agriculture, particularly coconut and tea cultivation, as well as fishing. Historical landmarks such as Matara Fort and the Dondra Head Lighthouse highlight the area's colonial past. With its mix of natural attractions and cultural heritage, Matara District is a captivating destination for both locals and tourists.
About Southern Province
The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle,Matara and Hambantota. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of income for the vast majority of the people of this region.
Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama, Kirinda and Galle. (Although Galle is an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.) During the Portuguese period there were two famous Sinhalese poets called Andare who was from Dickwella and Gajaman Nona who was from Denipitiya in Matara District, composing poems on common man.
