Spread over an area of 6.5 square miles, Galle is the capital of the Southern Province. The city of Galle has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. When the Arabs and Chinese came to Malacca for trade across the Red Sea, their target was the city of Galle. It is said that the city of Galle was a calm sea in the middle of the Middle East sea route every day of the year. Galle is truly a living world heritage site. Only two or three countries in the world have such a living heritage. The port of Galle has been used as the main port of Ceylon since before the conquest of Ceylon by the Westerners. The Port of Galle, which has been exporting cinnamon from Sri Lanka to foreign countries since 1400BC, has been used as the main trading center for exports.
Galle Harbor is a natural harbor located in Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Today, the Port of Galle is one of the most active regional ports in the country. It is also the only Sri Lankan port to facilitate cruise liners. The Port of Galle has been identified by the International Vessel Associations as one of the best attractions in the world for sailing. The port of Galle was a major port in the country and was in use even before the Christian era and gained importance after the 12th century. By the 14th century, the Port of Galle was the most important port in Sri Lanka and retained its importance until the construction of an artificial harbor in Colombo in 1873.
Galle Fort has been a major port in the Indian Ocean for over 200 years since the construction of the Galle Fort in the 17th century and has been an important hub for boats and ships plying between Europe and Asia. In the late 19th century, when the British colonial government built the Colombo breakwater harbor, most international maritime traffic shifted from Galle to Colombo. Subsequently, the port of Galle became a lifeline port in the country.
