Sri Lanka / Nanda Pethlyagoda Wanasundera.

Cover title: Sri Lanka : idyllic island.

Introduction, Geography, History, Government, Economy, Environment, Sri Lankans, Lifestyle, Religion, Language, Arts, Leisure, Festivals, Food. Includes map of Sri Lanka, Time Line, Glossary, Bibliography, Index.

This beautiful, colorful, country is a tiny island in the Indian Ocean and one of the most intriguing facts offered in this book is that the old name for the country was Serendip. The Sri Lankans have a troubled political past and still experience problems with radical rebel parties, yet they have a democratic tradition and a high voter turnout. As part of the "Cultures of the World" series, this book offers an overall look at the country, including chapters detailing the geography, history, economy and environment. The people, their lifestyle, religion and food are also covered. The "Festivals" chapter gives a sense of the diverse population, as there are Hindu, Christian and Muslim festivals. Several ethnic recipes appear in the back of the book, along with maps, a timeline, pertinent facts and resources for further study.