North Cyprus Geography

Cyprus is the most eastern of the Mediterranean islands it has a total area of approximately 3,572 square miles, with 486 miles of coastline. North Cyprus covers a total land area of 1,357 square miles, nearly one third of the island. It is 150 miles wide and 40 miles deep at its extreme points.

Nearest neighbours are Turkey 40 miles to the north, Syria 60 miles east, Lebanon 108 miles south-east, and Egypt 230 miles south.

The most prominent feature of North Cyprus is the narrow ridge of mountain that runs parallel with the coastline. It is approximately 80 miles long and occupies an area of 100 square miles. Made up of limestone, dolomite and marble, the mountain range is called the Kyrenia Mountains, or Besparmak (Five Finger) Mountains and has its highest point 3,357ft at Mount Selvili Tepe near Lapta.

The great plain that lies between the Kyrenia Range and the Troodos mountains in the south is called The Mesaoria. It is used for the production of cereal crops grown for animal and human consumption and is known as the breadbasket of Cyprus.

The island’s unique shape that resembles a saucepan, has been caused by the shift in the tectonic plates and geological side pressure. These geological phenomena and land erosion have created gulfs and capes. The two capes are Zafer at the tip of the Karpaz peninsula and Korucam to the west. There are two gulfs, Guzelyurt in the west and Gazimagusa in the east.