GEOGRAPHY OF CYPRUS
CYPRUS GEOGRAPHY
LOCATION
CYPRUS is an island independent country located in the eastern
Mediterranean Sea, 97 km west of Syria and 64 km south of Turkey.
It's the third biggest in size island of the Mediterranean.
AREA
- Total area: 9,250 km2
- Land area: 9,240 km2
- Comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
The island is 225 km from east to west and at most 97 km from north to
south with a coastline of 648 km.
Its compact in shape except for a long, tapering peninsula to the northeast.
POLITICAL PROBLEM
In 1974 there has been a forceful Turkish invasion, in the island, which
resulted in 37% of Cyprus to be still under Turkish occupation. Since then
200,000 Cypriots are refugees, 1619 Greek Cypriots are still missing. For
over 23 years now Turkey in violation of numerous UN and security council
resolutions keeps the island divided.
CLIMATE
Temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The
island provides a perfect climate for summer holidays. It is estimated that
there are 300 sunny days each year!!
The temperature varies with the elevation, but January averages are about
10 deg C (50 deg F) and those of July about 35 deg C(100 deg F). Rainfall
which occurs mainly in winter, is rarely more than 380mm (15in) in the
lowlands, but is higher in the mountains. Surface drainage is by short,
small streams that are usually dry in the summer. The native vegetation
is adapted to the climate and consists mainly of drought-resisting scrub
and conifers(including eucalyptus, pine, acacia, and cypress).
TERRAIN
Topographically Cyprus consists of two mountain masses (on the north and
south) and a central lowland. The Kyrenia Range lies close to the north
coast and consists mainly of limestone. To the south is the Mesaoria
Plain, in which the densent population is found. The southern half of
the island is occupied by the rugged Troodos mountains, composed mainly
of volcanic rocks and reaching a maximum elevation of 1953 m(6407 ft)
NATURAL RESOURCES
Copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth
pigment.
LAND USE
- Arable land: 40%
- Permanent crops: 7%
- Meadows and pastures: 10%
- Forest and woodland: 18%
- Other: 25%
- Irrigated land: 350 km2 (1989)
ENVIRONMENT
Moderate earthquake activity; water resource problems (no natural reservoir
catchments), seasonal disparity in rainfall.
RETURN 
TO THE CYPRUS ACCESS PANEL
RETURN
HOME