Sri Lanka is Practically on the equator lying between 5°55' - 9°51'N. Consequently there is not much difference between the length of night and day, both being around 0600 and it is completely dark by 2100. Its Position has meant that Sri Lanka is at the heart of the Indian Ocean trading routes.

After the opening of the route round the Cape of Good Hope by Vasco da Gama in 1498 the island was brought into direct contact with Western Europe. The opening of the Suze Canal in 1869 further strengthened the trading links the West.