Northern Province, Sri Lanka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Northern Province
வட மாகாணம்
උතුරු පළාත |
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![]() Sunset over a lagoon
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![]() Location within Sri Lanka
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![]() Districts of the Northern Province
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Country | Sri Lanka | |
Created | 1 October 1833 | |
Provincial council | 14 November 1987 | |
Capital | Jaffna | |
Largest City | Vavuniya | |
Districts | ||
Government | ||
• Type | Provincial council | |
• Body | Northern Provincial Council | |
Area | ||
• Total | 8,884 km2 (3,430 sq mi) | |
• Land | 8,290 km2 (3,200 sq mi) | |
Area rank | 3rd (13.54% of total area) | |
Population
(2012 census)
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• Total | 1,058,762 | |
• Rank | 9th (5.22% of total pop.) | |
• Density | 119.176/km2 (308.665/sq mi) | |
Time zone | UTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka) | |
Post Codes |
40000-45999
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Telephone Codes | 021, 023, 024 | |
ISO 3166 code | LK-4 | |
Vehicle registration | NP | |
Official languages | Tamil, Sinhala | |
Flower | Kaanthal | |
Tree | Maruthu | |
Bird | Seven sisters | |
Animal | Male deer |
The Northern Province (Tamil: வட மாகாணம் Vaṭakku Mākāṇam; Sinhala: උතුරු පළාත Uturu Paḷāta) is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka. Its capital city is Jaffna. This province is home to most of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. A long conflict in Sri Lanka started here.
Provinces in Sri Lanka were first set up in the 1800s. Later, in 1987, Provincial councils were created. These councils were formed by a change to the country's Constitution. For a time, between 1988 and 2006, the Northern Province and the Eastern Province were joined together. They formed a single area called the North Eastern Province.
Contents
Districts of the Province
The Northern Province is divided into five smaller areas called districts. Each district has its own unique features and communities.
Government and Leadership
The Northern Province has its own government, known as the Northern Provincial Council. This council helps manage the affairs of the province.
Key Leaders
- Governor: The Governor is like the president of the province. The current Governor is Maj Gen G. A. Chandrasiri.
- Chief Minister: The Chief Minister leads the provincial council. The current Chief Minister is C. V. Vigneswaran.
- Members of Parliament (MPs): These are people elected to represent the province in the national Parliament.
Geography and Size
The Northern Province is the third largest province in Sri Lanka. It covers a total area of 8,884 square kilometers. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Location and Neighbors
The province is surrounded by water on three sides: the Bay of Bengal to the north and east, and the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar to the west. To the south, it shares borders with other Sri Lankan provinces. These include the Eastern Province, North Central Province, and North Western Province.
Population and People
According to the 2012 census, about 1,058,762 people live in the Northern Province. This makes it the ninth most populated province in Sri Lanka.
Languages Spoken
The main languages spoken in the Northern Province are Tamil and Sinhala. These are also the official languages of the province.
Symbols of the Province
Each province often has its own special symbols. For the Northern Province, these include:
- Flower: Kaanthal
- Tree: Maruthu
- Bird: Seven sisters
- Animal: Male deer
Learn More
- Tamil Eelam
- You can visit the official website of the Northern Provincial Council to learn more: Northern Provincial Council
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Provincia Norte (Sri Lanka) para niños