Cyprus

I

Introduction

Cyprus, republic, and third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located west of Syria and south of Turkey. The island has a maximum length of about 225 km (140 mi) from Cape Andreas in the north-east to the western extremity of the island. Its maximum width, from Cape Gata in the south to Cape Kormakiti in the north, is about 97 km (60 mi). The total area of the country is 9,251 sq km (3,572 sq mi). Nicosia is the capital and largest city. Since 1974 the northern third of Cyprus has been occupied by Turkish troops and has formed, de facto, a separate (though officially unrecognized) state.

II

Land and Resources

Cyprus is irregular in shape. In the extreme north-east the island narrows abruptly to form the Karpas Peninsula, which extends east towards the Syrian coast. Much of the land is a flat, treeless plain, located in the interior and called the Mesaoria (Greek, “between the mountains”); it extends from the western to the eastern coasts and is bordered on the north and south by mountain ranges. The northern range, known as the Kyrenia Range, is notable for its rocky, unbroken character. The Kyrenia Range parallels the coastline, extending into the Karpas Peninsula; its highest point is 1,019 m (3,343 ft). The southern range, called the Troodos Mountains, covers most of the south-western portion of the island. This range is broken and has many abrupt cliffs. Mount Olympus (1,953 m/6,406 ft) is its highest peak.

A

Rivers and Lakes

Cyprus has no permanent rivers. A number of watercourses bring the overflow from the winter rains down to the Mesaoria plain in spring but are dry for most of the year. The island has a few freshwater lakes and two large salt-water lakes.

B

Climate

Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate, with summers that are hot and dry and a cool, rainy season that extends from October to March. The mean annual temperature is 20.6° C (69° F). The annual rainfall averages less than 500 mm (20 in).