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. |
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
neighboring
countries,
mainly
Turkey. |
