| The location of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean
makes it a strategic crossroads between three continents and has been used by
travellers in their various journeys throughout history. 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.
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Traces of ancient peoples are evident: Assyrians, Phoenicians, Macedonians,
Hellenists, Persians, Romans and Egyptians among others. Byzantines, Crusaders,
French Lusignans, Venetians, Ottomans and the British followed these. With such
a background, Cyprus has developed a unique character, which is a blend of all
that has gone before. The total area of the island covers 3584 square miles
(9,282 square km). Northern Cyprus is some 100 miles long, 40 miles across at
its widest point and has a total area of 1357 sq. miles (3,355 square km),
which is nearly one third of the whole of the island.
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The geography of Northern Cyprus is characterized by a unique blend of
mountains, plains and beaches. The coastline offers fine, uncrowded beaches;
you can still arrive at a beach and enjoy being the only one there. The
mountains provide a lovely backdrop to the beaches but are very well worth
visiting themselves; the track systems (many of which can be driven along)
offer good walking. In the spring there are many wild flowers including some
endemic to Cyprus. 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 Northern Cyprus. Long miles of sunny bays with pure white sand.
To the south of the Kyrenia range lie the plains of
Mesaoria. Here, is situated the Capital of Northern Cyprus, Nicosia (Lefkosa
for the locals). Other major centres are Guzelyurt and Lefke in the west of
Northern Cyprus where most of the citrus produce comes from, The resort town of
Kyrenia (Girne for the Locals) is on the
northern coast of Cyprus, and the second resort town of Famagusta (Gazimagosa
for the locals) in the east.
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