Cyprus is the most easterly of the Mediterranean islands and the third largest in the area after Sicily and Sardinia in the Mediterranean. At the nearest coastal points it is 40 miles from Turkey, 60 miles from Syria, and 250 miles from Egypt. North Cyprus is some 100 miles long, 40 miles across at its widest point and has a total area of 1357 square miles, comprising nearly 36% of the island of Cyprus. The location of Cyprus in the Mediterranean makes it a strategic crossroads between three continents and has been used by travellers in their various journeys throughout history. Background Traces of ancient peoples are evident: Assyrians, Phoenicians, Macedonians, Hellenists, Persians, Romans and Egyptians among others. These were followed by Byzantines, Crusaders, French Lusignans, Venetians, Ottomans and the British. There was then an unsettled period following independence in 1960, but this was ended with partition in 1974.

With such a background, Cyprus has developed a unique character which is a blend of all that has gone before. Part of its unique character is the natural beauty of the northern part of the island. The coastline offers fine, uncrowded beaches; you can still arrive at a beach and enjoy being the only one there. The mountains provide a lovely backdrop to the beaches but are very well worth visiting themselves; the track systems (many of which can be driven along) offer good walking. In the spring there are many wild flowers including some endemic to Cyprus. What makes Northern Cyprus special apart from its beaches, mountains and natural beauty? Well, to these you add a super climate, and the hospitality of the Turkish Cypriots.

Climate
Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers from mid-May to mid-October and with mild winters from December to February, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is the season of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breezes create a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Winters are mild with some rain, but even in January there are generally six hours of bright sunshine during the day.

Geography
North Cyprus is characterized by a unique blend of mountains, plains, and beaches. The Kyrenia (Five Finger) mountain range, with its magnificent jagged limestone peaks, the highest of which is Mount Içova at 3,357 ft. runs along most of the northern coastline 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 more affectionately, `The Panhandle'. It is here that the best beaches of Cyprus can be found, long wide empty bays of the purest sand that stretch for miles.

Cities and the towns
To the south of the Kyrenia range lies Nicosia (Lefkosa), the capital of North Cyprus, through which runs the boundary, or as it is called `The Green Line' separating the North from South Cyprus. The other major centres are the tourist resorts of Famagusta (Magusa), Kyrenia (Girne), and the citrus centre of Güzelyurt (Morphou).