North Central Province, Sri Lanka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North Central Province
උතුරු මැද පළාත
வட மத்திய மாகாணம் Uturumeda Province
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Location within Sri Lanka
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| Country |  Sri Lanka |
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| Created | 1873 | |
| Admitted | 14 November 1987 | |
| Capital | Anuradhapura | |
| Largest City | Anuradhapura | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 10,472 km2 (4,043 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 1st (16.31% of total area) | |
| Population
(2011 census)
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| • Total | 1,259,567 | |
| • Rank | 8th (5.91% of total pop.) | |
| • Density | 120.280/km2 (311.522/sq mi) | |
| Gross Regional Product
(2010)
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| • Total | Rs 232 billion | |
| • Rank | 7th (4.8% of total) | |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka) | |
| ISO 3166 code | LK-7 | |
| Official Languages | Sinhala, Tamil | |
.PNG)
The North Central Province (called Uturumeda Palata in Sinhala and Wada Maththiya Maakaanam in Tamil) is one of the nine provinces in Sri Lanka. Its capital city is Anuradhapura. This province is not very crowded, meaning fewer people live there compared to other areas. It is known for its rich history and ancient sites.
Contents
Where is North Central Province?
The North Central Province is located in the north-central part of Sri Lanka. It shares borders with several other provinces. To the north, it meets the Northern Province. To the east and southeast, it borders the Eastern Province. The Central Province is to its south. Finally, the North Western Province is to its west and southwest.
The province is mostly flat land. It has many ancient reservoirs, also called "tanks," which were built long ago to store water for farming. These tanks are very important for the people living there.
History of the Province
The North Central Province has a very long and important history. It was home to ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka. The city of Anuradhapura, the capital of the province, was once the capital of an ancient kingdom for over a thousand years. This makes it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Many kings ruled from Anuradhapura. They built amazing structures like large stupas (dome-shaped buildings for Buddhist relics) and complex irrigation systems. These systems helped farmers grow crops even during dry seasons. The province was officially created in 1873.
Economy and Life
The economy of the North Central Province is mainly based on agriculture. This means most people work in farming. They grow crops like rice, vegetables, and fruits. The ancient irrigation systems, including the large tanks, are still used today to help with farming.
While the province has a rich history, its economy is still developing. Efforts are being made to improve it through tourism and other industries. Many visitors come to see the ancient ruins and learn about Sri Lanka's past.
Important Towns
Anuradhapura is the main city in the North Central Province. It is managed by a Municipal Council. Besides Anuradhapura, there are several other important towns in the province:
- Polonnaruwa-Kaduruwela
- Medawachchiya
- Kahatagasdigiliya
- Hingurakgoda
- Nochchiyagama
- Kekirawa
- Minneriya
- Horowpatana
- Tambuttegama
- Manampitiya
- Eppawala
- Habarana
- Maradankadawala
- Rambewa
- Mihintale
- Talawa
- Padawiya
- Kebitigollawa
- Giritale
- Mahailuppallama
- Welikanda
Government of the Province
Like other provinces in Sri Lanka, the North Central Province has its own government. The main leaders are the Governor and the Chief Minister.
- The Governor is appointed by the President of Sri Lanka. They represent the central government in the province.
- The Chief Minister is the head of the provincial council. This council is made up of elected representatives from the province. They work together to manage the province's affairs, like education, health, and local development.
Interesting Places to Visit
The North Central Province is a great place to visit if you love history and nature.
Ancient Cities
The most famous attractions are the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. These are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can see huge ancient stupas, beautiful carvings, and old palaces. It's like stepping back in time!
Wildlife and Nature
The province also has several national parks, like Minneriya National Park and Kaudulla National Park. These parks are famous for their large herds of wild elephants. You can also see many other animals and birds there.
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Northern Province | Northern Province | Eastern Province | |
| North Western Province |  |
Eastern Province | ||
 North Central Province  |
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| North Western Province | Central Province | Eastern Province |
Images for kids
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Divisional Secretariats of North Central Province, Sri Lanka
