In the Mediterranean, Cyprus is the third largest island in terms of area. There are many rumours as to where the name “Cyprus” originates from. One rumour is that it was derived from the name Kinyras, the daughter the famous King of Cyprus. Another one is that it was derived from the henna blossom, but the most common rumour is that it originates from Cuprum, Latin for copper, as there is an abundance of mines in the northwestern region.
Cyprus has a land area spanning 9251 square kilometres and is on the east of the Mediterranean. It’s only 70 km from Turkey, 110 km away from Syria and 420 km from Egypt. North Cyprus is around one-third of the area of the entire island.
The North of the island is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the South by Greek Cypriots. The population of North Cyprus is around 200 thousand. Nicosia is the capital city of the North and other main cities include Kyrenia (Girne), Famagusta (Gazi-magusa), Morphou (Guzelyurt) and Trikomo (Yeni Iskele). Five Finger Mountain Ranges stretches all along the coastline in the North of the island and is rich in term of flora and fauna. The Range has also got tall pine and cypress forests. At an altitude of 1017 meters, Selvilitepe is the highest point of the mountain range. The Mountain Range is named after a hill in the heart of the island, which looks like 5 fingers of a man. The North of the island has numerous rivers that fill up and rise with the rainfall. Kanl_dere being the most famous of these as it splits Nicosia.
To the West of the country you’ll find more fertile lands than in the East, therefore more agricultural production is carried out here. Dry Mesaoria plain is found in the middle of the island, so dry farming is practiced there. To the far East of the island is the Karpas peninsula. There you will find The Golden Beach, which stretches for 3.5 km and is one of the ten longest beaches in the world.
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Tags: cyprus, History, HISTORY OF NORTH CYPRUS, north, NORTHERN, OF