Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and largest city, with a population approaching 1 million in the city proper and several million in the greater metropolitan area. The city sprawls along the coast, with distinct neighborhoods each having their own character. Fort and Pettah form the old commercial core. Cinnamon Gardens (officially Colombo 7) contains upscale residences, embassies, and parks. Bambalapitiya, Wellawatte, and Dehiwala stretch south along the coast with mixed residential and commercial development. The city has been a trading port for over 2,000 years, though it only became the capital in 1815 when the British consolidated their control of the island. The Portuguese and Dutch had earlier footholds here, and their influence remains visible in the architecture and place names. Since independence in 1948, Colombo has grown rapidly, particularly in recent decades with significant infrastructure development and high-rise construction. Colombo’s climate is hot and humid year-round, typical of a tropical coastal location. The southwest monsoon affects the city from May to September, bringing heavy rains, while the northeast monsoon from December to February brings lighter precipitation. The driest months are typically January, February, and March. The city serves as the main arrival point for most international visitors to Sri Lanka, with Bandaranaike International Airport located about 35 kilometers north of the city center. Many travelers pass through Colombo at the beginning or end of their Sri Lanka trip, though an increasing number spend a day or two exploring the city itself.