Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon and is an island republic in the Indian Ocean off the south-eastern coast of India. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannâr. Lying between the two nations is a chain of tiny islands known as Adam's Bridge. Sri Lanka is somewhat pear-shaped, with its apex in the north. The greatest length from north to south is about 440 km (about 273 mi); the greatest width is about 220 km (about 137 mi). The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 sq km (25,332 sq mi).