Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country located in southern India. It has a population of over 20 million and is the world's 44th most populous country. Sri Lanka is known for its rich culture, stunning beaches, iconic Sinhalese temples and beautiful wildlife. The central government is based in Colombo, while numerous provincial governments operate across the island. A majority of the population are Sinhalese Buddhists, with minority populations of Muslims, Christians and Hindus.