The island of Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean. Its neighbouring lands at the nearest coastal points are Turkey 40 miles north, Syria 60 miles east, Lebanon 108 miles south-east, Israel 180 miles south-east and Egypt 230 miles south.
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is smaller than Sicily and Sardinia and larger than Corsica and Crete .The area of the whole island is 3584 sq. miles. (9250 sq. kilometers). Cyprus has been divided into two autonomous states since 1974. This came about by virtue of the linguistic and cultural differences , and as a result of communal friction which lasted for 11 years. (See history) Greek Cypriots occupy the southern and the Turkish Cypriots occupy the northern part of Cyprus. A boundary known as the ‘Green Line’ which runs through Nicosia, the capital of both South and North Cyprus separates the two states.
North Cyprus is some 100 miles long , 40 miles across at its widest point and has a total area of 1357 sq. miles or nearly one third of the whole of the island.
The geography of North Cyprus is characterized by a unique blend of mountains , plains and beaches. The Kyrenia Range, with its magnificent jagged limestone peaks, the highest of which is Mount Selvili at 3357 ft. runs along most of the north coastline to form a startling backdrop.
To the east of the island the mountain range loses height as it extends along the narrow peninsula known as Karpas or ‘The Panhandle’. Along it one finds the best beaches in Cyprus. Miles of empty bays with pure white sand.
To the south of the Kyrenia range lie the plains of Mesaoria. Here, is situated the divided Capital Nicosia (Lefkosa). Other major centers are Guzelyurt in the west of North Cyprus where most of the citrus produce comes from , The resort town of Kyrenia (Girne) is on the northern coast, and the second resort town of Famagusta (Gazimagosa) in the east.
North Cyprus Population
The population of North Cyprus is, Appx. 200,587 (1997 census)
55% of the population live in urban areas. The urban population is distributed as follows:
(Rounded to the nearest 1000. Census 1997)
Nicosia: 62,000
Famagusta: 54,000
Kyrenia: 38,000
Guzelyurt: 27,000
Iskele: 19,000
The urban population is employed mainly in the service industry and light industries such as beverages, clothing, construction and in other commercial establishments.
The rural population lives in villages. There are some 195 villages in North Cyprus. People in rural areas are mainly engaged in agriculture and produce a variety of crops. Wheat, barley, olives, carobs, melon, grapes, figs, potatoes and basic vegetables are grown commercially on a moderate scale. Citrus is the main export produce, however, exports from North Cyprus have been restricted to a great extent, due to the political status of the state.
The service industry has recently shown an increase mainly in Tourism, Banking and Education. The slow development in the economy has become an advantage for Tourism since it has resulted in unspoiled countryside and thus very low pollution. Education has recently developed to become one of the major sources of revenue, with 5 private universities being opened in the last 10 years, offering a good standard of international education to the students attending from neighbouring countries, mainly Turkey.
North Cyprus climate
The Climate of North Cyprus is a typical Mediterranean Climate. Summers (June to September) are hot and dry, winters (November to March) are usually rainy with a mild temperature. Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant.
The average annual temperature is 20°C (68 F). Summer temperatures average 30°C (90F) with the coldest months of January and February 10°C (50F).
North Cyprus Flora and Fauna
Quite apart from the huge range of cultivated flowers, North Cyprus and especially the Karpas peninsula is a rich botanical area with literally hundreds of species of wild flowers from crown anemones and pink rock roses to purple iris and yellow crowfoot.
From February to June many areas of Northern Cyprus are carpeted with colourful wild flowers. The birds and the butterflies also are glorious, lizards abound, and the loggerhead and green turtle still come ashore to lay their eggs in North Cyprus’s unspoiled beaches.