Park geography

Detailed spatial analysis covering mapped boundaries, terrain features, and elevation ranges

Comprehensive Geographic and Environmental Profile of Wasgamuwa National Park in Sri Lanka

This geographic profile details the physical scope of Wasgamuwa National Park, covering its 393.22 square kilometer area within the Central and North Central provinces of Sri Lanka. The documentation includes recorded boundary metrics, forest and grassland habitat classifications, and key riverine associations such as the Mahaweli and Amban Ganga river systems.

Related tags

Dry Zone ForestsElephant HabitatImportant Bird AreaSri Lankan EndemicsAncient Irrigation Heritage

View park overview

Sri Lankan dry-zone wilderness protecting herds of Asian elephants and ancient irrigation heritage

Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park is a protected natural area in central Sri Lanka, spanning the Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts within the Central and North Central provinces. Established in 1984 as part of the Mahaweli Development Project, the park covers approximately 39,322 hectares of dry-zone terrain and was created to provide refuge for wildlife displaced by the massive hydroelectric and irrigation development scheme. The park sits about 225 kilometers northeast of Colombo and occupies a landscape characterized by dry evergreen forests, riverine woodlands, and grasslands surrounding ancient irrigation reservoirs. Wasgamuwa holds particular significance as one of the few remaining strongholds where Sri Lankan elephants congregate in substantial herds, and it has been recognized as an Important Bird Area due to its rich avifauna diversity.

Location: Sri Lanka
Park type: National park
Established: 1984
Area: 393.2 km²
Highest point: 470 m

Wasgamuwa National Park Protected Area

Location overview

Mapped regional boundaries within Central and North Central Provinces

Geographic Location of Wasgamuwa National Park in Sri Lanka

Wasgamuwa National Park is situated within Sri Lanka, spanning parts of both the Central Province and the North Central Province. Map data confirms its status as a single-country protected area with localized provincial administration.

Countries: Sri Lanka, Zambia
Regions: Central Province, North Central Province
Primary location: Central Province

Boundary and coordinates

Interactive protected-area geometry and calculated spatial metrics

Wasgamuwa National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Extent

Mapped park outlines provide visual spatial context for the protected territory. Accompanying boundary facts detail recorded area measurements, coordinate limits, and geographic spans.

Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Boundary area: 395.9 km²
Boundary perimeter: 104.4 km
Northernmost point: 7.8789° N
Southernmost point: 7.6083° N
Easternmost point: 81.0653° E
Westernmost point: 80.8411° E
Geographic centre: 7.7436° N, 80.932° E
North–south span: 29.9 km
East–west span: 24.7 km

Wasgamuwa National Park

Elevation and terrain

Upland topography with recorded rivers and physical features

Wasgamuwa National Park Terrain and Elevation Profile

Recorded elevation records indicate an upland terrain profile reaching 470 meters at its highest point. Associated feature records document specific river systems and islands located within the protected boundary.

Maximum elevation: 470 m
Highest point: 470 m

Selected named natural features

Rivers

Amban Ganga

Rivers

Mahaweli River

Islands

Kalinga Nuwara

Rivers

Mahaweli River

Wasgamuwa National Park Natural Features

Environmental setting

Interpreting upland relief, forest cover, and seasonal water systems

Wasgamuwa National Park Environmental Settings and Habitat Classifications

Recorded classifications frame the physical setting through interconnected habitat types, forest cover, and regional climate zones. Linked categories connect specific environmental properties directly to related protected area records.

Relief: Upland
Climate: Arid
Water: Major water bodies
Forest cover: Mostly forested
Seasonality: Seasonal

Landscape features

Hills · Forest · Grassland · Lakes · Rivers

Habitat types

Tropical forest · Grassland · Riverine habitat · Lacustrine habitat

Park atlas

Trace the regional park geography of central Sri Lanka, comparing protected areas adjacent to Wasgamuwa National Park.

Discover Nearby National Parks and Protected Areas Beyond Wasgamuwa National Park

After exploring Wasgamuwa National Park, browse other national parks and protected areas situated in the broader region of central Sri Lanka. Compare their unique landscapes, key protected species, and geographic characteristics to deepen your understanding of Sri Lanka's conservation efforts.

National parkNorth Central Province

Park boundaries overlap#1 closest

Northeast

Flood Plains National Park: Sri Lanka's Vital Wetland and Elephant Corridor

Mapping the geography of its unique villus system and Mahaweli River flood plain.

Flood Plains National Park stands as a paramount protected wetland ecosystem in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, critically important as an elephant corridor along the Mahaweli River. The park's landscape is defined by its unique villus system, shallow swampy depressions that support extraordinary biodiversity and serve as vital feeding grounds for Asian elephants and migratory waterfowl. Understanding the mapped park boundaries and its regional geographic context reveals its significance in landscape-level conservation efforts within the Mahaweli basin.

Area: 173.5 km²
Established: 1984
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Flood Plains National Park Atlas

National parkNorth Central Province

0.1 km away#2 closest

North

Angammedilla National Park: Protecting the Watershed for Parakrama Samudra in North Central Province

Mapped dry evergreen forests and mountainous terrain boundaries.

Angammedilla National Park is a national park in Sri Lanka's North Central Province renowned for its pivotal role in safeguarding the drainage basin for the large Parakrama Samudra reservoir. This protected landscape features significant dry evergreen forest ecosystems and mountainous terrain, contributing to the region's ecological stability and wildlife habitats. Its establishment highlights a commitment to preserving vital natural resources and understanding the complex interplay between protected areas and regional geography.

Area: 75.29 km²
Established: 2006
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Angammedilla National Park protected area

National parkEastern Province

11 km away#3 closest

Southeast

Maduru Oya National Park: Sri Lanka National Park Landscape and Geographic Context

Mapped protected area boundaries within Eastern Province.

Maduru Oya National Park represents a distinct protected area within the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, offering valuable geographic context for atlas-based exploration. This national park's mapped boundaries and its placement within the regional landscape provide critical data points for understanding conservation geography. Discover the park's identity as a protected natural landscape and its role in the broader geographic atlas of Sri Lanka.

Area: 588.5 km²
Established: 1983
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Maduru Oya National Park Protected Area

National parkNorth Central Province

14 km away#4 closest

North

Minneriya National Park: A Protected National Park in North Central Province

Explore mapped boundaries and regional landscape context.

Minneriya National Park is a designated national park offering unique protected landscape exploration within Sri Lanka's North Central Province. This entry provides structured data crucial for understanding the park's geographic features, its defined boundaries, and its significance as a protected area. Dive into the atlas context that illuminates the natural terrain and regional setting of Minneriya National Park.

Area: 88.894 km²
Established: 1997
IUCN: II
Relief: Mixed relief

Minneriya National Park Protected Area

National parkSri Lanka

21 km away#5 closest

Northeast

Somawathiya National Park: A Sri Lankan National Park Protected Landscape

Explore its mapped boundaries and regional geography.

Delve into the geographic identity of Somawathiya National Park, a designated national park within Sri Lanka. This entry provides atlas-level insights into its protected landscape, mapped terrain, and the specific natural area context it offers. Understand Somawathiya National Park's place in the Sri Lankan geography for structured discovery, focusing on its protected status and mapped features without travel logistics.

Area: 376.455 km²
Established: 1986
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Somawathiya National Park Protected Area

National parkNorth Central Province

26 km away#6 closest

North

Kaudulla National Park: Sri Lanka's Protected National Park Geography

Mapped landscape and regional context for Kaudulla National Park.

Kaudulla National Park stands as a protected national park offering valuable geographic insights for atlas explorers. This page details the park's location within the North Central Province, providing context on its mapped terrain and protected area status. Users can delve into the structured geographic data associated with Kaudulla National Park, enhancing their understanding of Sri Lanka's conservation landscapes.

Area: 69 km²
Established: 2002
IUCN: II
Visitors: 10K annual

Kaudulla National Park Protected Area

National parkUva Province

58 km away#7 closest

Southeast

Gal Oya National Park: Protected Landscape and Reservoir Geography in Uva Province

Explore savannah grasslands, elephant populations, and mapped terrain.

Gal Oya National Park presents a unique protected landscape within Uva Province, Sri Lanka. This national park is defined by its broad savannah grasslands, known as thalawa, interspersed with forested hills and the vast Senanayake Samudraya reservoir. Its varied topography, from lowlands to mountain peaks, offers a rich canvas for geographic exploration and understanding protected-area dynamics. The park's consistent visibility of elephant populations across these diverse terrains makes it a key site for wildlife observation within Sri Lanka's atlas of natural heritage.

Area: 259 km²
Established: 1954
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Gal Oya National Park Protected Area Atlas

National parkCentral Province

About 73 km away#8 closest

South

Galways Land National Park: A Protected Landscape within Central Province, Sri Lanka

Explore the mapped geography and protected area context of this national park.

Galways Land National Park is a designated national park within the Central Province of Sri Lanka, offering a distinct focus for geographic exploration. This entry provides specific details on its protected landscape characteristics and its place within the regional atlas. Users can examine the mapped boundaries and understand the natural terrain that defines this conservation area. Discover the unique geographic identity of Galways Land National Park and its contribution to the protected areas network.

Area: 0.27 km²
Established: 2006
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Galways Land National Park protected area

MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue your Atlas Exploration of Wasgamuwa National Park's Geography

Deepen your understanding of Wasgamuwa National Park by examining its protected landscape and its position within Central Province's geography. This detailed view supports structured exploration of national park boundaries and regional natural terrain. Engage with the mapped context of this protected area to build a comprehensive picture for your atlas-based discovery of Sri Lanka's conservation areas.

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Wasgamuwa National Park Protected Area

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