Cyprus Topography
Districts
The whole island is divided into the six districts of Nicosia, Limassol. Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta and Kyrenia - the last two of which have been separately administered since 1974.
Geological origin
Although in history and culture closely connected with Europe, Cyprus is geographically part of Asia. Thetwo main ranges of hills, the Kyrenia (Pentadaktylos) range and the Troodos Mountains, run parallel to the Taurus in Asia Minor.
In the Neolithic period, some 60 million years ago, an arm of the sea divided the island into two parts, corresponding broadly to the Kyrenia range in the north and the Troodos massif in the south. In the Late Tertiary era earthquakes and a rise in the level of the sea-bed created the Mesaoria plain, which lies between the two Early Tertiary ranges of hills.
Topographical variety
The characteristic outline of Cyprus, with the long and narrow Karpasia peninsula reaching north-east, was seen in antiquity as resembling a deerskin. This green Mediterranean island is also remarkable for the variety of its topography, with a series of sandy and shingly beaches, wide bays and rugged cliffs round the coasts, steeply scarped volcanic hills, forest-covered up to the highest peaks, upland regions with gently rounded hills and deep valleys, and fertile plains.
Five different landscape zones can be distinguished in Cyprus: the coastal regions, the ranges of hills (Kyrenia and Troodos) which run parallel to them, the foothills ofthe Troodos and the large central plain, the Mesaoria, which lies between the two ranges of hills.
Coastal regions
The coastal regions show great variety of scenery. On the east coast are beautiful bays, the finest sandy beaches being at Famagusta and Ayia Napa. On the south coast are the large towns of Larnaca and Limassol and much tourist development carried out since 1974 which has reduced the natural charm of this coastal region. The north and west coasts have a varied pattern of scenery, long, lonely sandy beaches alternating with sheer cliffs, beautiful bays with rough and stony beaches.
Kyrenia and Pentadaktylos ranges
The Kyrenia range in the north of the island - a rugged and sparsely wooded chain of hills 128km/80 miles long - consists of limestones, marbles, phyllites and serpentines. The highest point in the range, which extends eastward to the narrow Karpasia peninsula, is Kyparis sovouno (1024m/336Oft). The hills fall steeply down to the north coast. The Kyrenia Hills are also known as Pentadaktylos ("Five-Fingered") after the lower Pentadaktylos range (730m/2395ft), whose five peaks rise up like the fingers of a hand.
Troodos
The volcanic Troodos massif in south-western Cyprus, extending from westto east for a distance of 80km/50 miles and rising to 1951m/6401ft in Mt Olympos (also known as Khionistra, the "Snow-Capped One"). occupies, including its foothills, almost a third of the island's area. Unlike the Kyrenia range, it is densely wooded up to its highest peaks. With its mild and agreeable climate and its refreshing coolness it is a popular recreation area in the hot summer months and offers skiing in winter.
Mesaoria plain
The Mesaoria plain lying between the two ranges of hills is an impor tant agricultural region. It extends from Morphou Bay in the north-west to Famagusta Bay in the east, and now lies mainly in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus. The plain consists of Late Tertiary sediments and fertile alluvial soils and is broken up by dry valleys and tabular hills.
The largest town in Cyprus is Nicosia (pop. 203,000), the island's capital, which lies in the Mesaoria plain. It is now cut in two by the boundary between the Greek and Turkish parts of the island.
Cyprus Towns
Second to Nicosia is Limassol (pop. 120,000), on the south coast, the largest port and tourist centre. To the east of Limassol, in a wide bay, is Larnaca (pop. 60,000), which has increased in importance since 1974 following the construction ofthe new airport. Paphos (pop. 21,000). on the west coast, offers the attractions of its extensive ancient remains and in recent years has also developed into a popular seaside resort.
At the east end of the island is the town of Famagusta (Turkish: Gazi magusa). with a population of just under 25,000. Until 1974 it was Cyprus's largest port and principal tourist centre, but since the division of the island has declined in importance. On the Turkish-occupied north coast isthe picturesque little port of Kyrenia (Turkish: Girne; pop. 7000), one of the most charming towns on the island.