With a bit of effort, however, it`s possible to escape the hordes and immerse yourself in a culture that draws on Europe, the Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion. Crusader castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread Roman mosaic floors.
Environment
An island in the far eastern Mediterranean Sea, below Turkey and to the west of Syria, Cyprus is is actually two countries - the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey) and the southern Republic of Cyprus. There are two large mountain ranges on the island: the Kyrenian Range in North Cyprus and the Troödos Massif in the centre of the Republic. The northern mountains are mainly limestone, the southern are volcanic rock. These ranges are separated by the Mesaoria Plain.
Climate
Cyprus has always been an island, and many Cypriot species, particularly plants, are found nowhere else in the world. There are three main habitats in Cyprus: the mountain ranges, the coastal plains and the cultivated lands. The coastal plains are irrigated by seasonal streams, and some support citrus orchards, but native flora and fauna have been largely displaced by tourism.
The Cypriot climate is typically Mediterranean, with very hot summers in July and August. Most of the year is dry, with unpredictable rains falling in December, January and February. Cyprus often suffers drought years, and water is such a scarce commodity that it is often rationed.
When to Go
The shoulder seasons - April/May and September/October - are the most pleasant times, climatically, to visit Cyprus. Summer - June to August - can be very hot, and winter is sometimes wet but still pleasant.
People
The population of TRNC is around 200 000. The language of the TRNC is Turkish and the community adheres to Islam. Lefkosa, the thousand-year-old capital of Cyprus is better known to foreigners by its mediaeval name, Nicosia. It lies just to the north of the geographical centre of the island at an elevation of 160 metres and is the seat of government as well as the main business centre. The city`s origins go back in history as the earliest human settlements found in the vicinity of the modern city date back to the 3rd millennium BC. The first inhabitants were attracted by what was then a rich river. Today`s dried up stony river bed is a far cry of its former bygone glory. It was only about 1000 years ago that Lefkosa (Nicosia) became the capital of Cyprus at a time when the island`s rulers were forced to withdraw inland in order to protect themselves from the raiding Saracens, who were marauding the coastal towns. Ever since it has remained the capital sharing the country`s fate through the centuries.
The Coastlands
There are several plains on the coasts of the Island. These are divided into two groups.1. Alluvial coastal plains, 2. Eroded coastal Plains. The TRNC has 396 km of it. In the north is the Girne valley with its narrow dentelated coasts, in the west is the Guzelyurt valley; in the east is the Magusa valley. Coasts of Cyprus are 783 km. long. The most important gulf of the island are Hacisofu, Guzelyurt, Gazimagusa, Iskele, Limasol and Yalova. The capes are as follows: zafer, Poyraz, Pile, Dogan, Ikizler, Arnavut and Korucam.
OTHER NAMES OF ISLAND
The island of Cyprus through the ages has had many different names; some of them are: Asi, Yatnana, Alasiya, Iantannai, Atnana, and Khettim.
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North Cyprus
