Travel Northern Cyprus Useful information

A brief Introduction to Northern Cyprus

The origin of the Word Cyprus is uncertain. Some say Cyprus is derived from Greek word for Copper, while others say that copper is a corruption of the Greek word for Cyprus. Various historians have used various names: Cyprus. Kriptos and Kition, to name but a few and now Kuzey Kibris - North Cyprus.

Situation

The island is situated in the north - eastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea, It is about 40 miles from the coast of Turkey to the North, 60 miles from Syria to the east and 250 miles from Egypt to the south.

Area

The area of the island is 3,572 square miles, with a coastline of 486 miles, The North covers roughly 1/3 of this. It is the third largest island in this sea, being smaller than Sicily and Sardinia.

Physical Features

The Most prominent topographical features of the island are the two mountain ranges separated by a wide and fertile plain - the Mesarya ( Meaning land between the mountains ).

The Northern Range, Known as the Kyrenia Mountains and the Southern Range, Know as the Trodos Mountains.

The Kyrenia Mountain range  is about 80 miles long. It is a narrow range running parallel to the coastline. Occupying an area of approximately 100 square miles, it is composed predominantly of limestone, dolomite and marble, and attains an height of cover 2,000 feet, culminating, in the highest peak known as Mount o Cypresses near Lapta, at an elevation of 3,557 feet. The largest spring in the island is found in the range. Chiefly covered with olive and carob trees.

Population

The first count of the population began in 1881, soon after the British occupation of the island in 1878. There are now in the region of 200,000 people living in Northern Cyprus.

Languages

Turkish is principal language. English is widely spoken and understood.

Local Time

Cyprus sun time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, which means that it is two hours ahead of the UK.

Pictures from North Cyprus

St.hilarion Castle North Cyprus

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