Karpass Peninsula

Part of the Karpass Peninsula from space
Golden Beach (Greek: Χρυσή Ακτή; Turkish: Altin Kumsal) on the Karpass Peninsula, at sunset

The Karpass Peninsula (Greek: Καρπασία; Turkish: Karpaz), also known as the Karpas Peninsula or Karpasia, is a long, finger-like peninsula that is one of the most prominent geographical features of the island of Cyprus. Its farthest extent is Cape Apostolos Andreas, and its major population centre is the town of Rizokarpaso (Greek: Ριζοκάρπασο; Turkish: Dipkarpaz). De facto, the peninsula forms the İskele District of Northern Cyprus, while de jure it lied in the Famagusta District of the Republic of Cyprus.

It covers an area of 898 km2, making up 27% of the territory of Northern Cyprus. It is much less densely populated than the average of Northern Cyprus, with a population density of 26 people per km2 in 2010. The town of Trikomo/İskele, the district capital, is considered to be the "gateway" and the geographical starting point of the peninsula, along with the neighboring village of Boğaz. Apart from Trikomo, the most important towns and municipalities in the area are Yialousa, Galateia, Rizokarpaso, Komi Kebir and Akanthou.[1]

The peninsula hosts a number of historical sites. These include the Kantara Castle, Apostolos Andreas Monastery, ruins of the ancient cities of Karpasia and Aphendrika, Ayias Trias Basilica among numerous others.[1]

There are more than 46 sandy beaches in the peninsula, which are the primary Eastern Mediterranean nestling grounds for the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).[2] The Golden Beach, also known as the Nangomi Beach, is situated around 15 km from the town of Rizokarpaso and is considered one of the finest beaches of Cyprus. With a total length exceeding 3700 m, it is one of the least tourist-frequented beaches in the island.[3][4] The Karpass Peninsula is home to the Karpass donkey, known as a symbol of Cyprus; there are campaigns carried out jointly by Turkish and Greek Cypriots to conserve the rare donkeys of Karpass.[5]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Karpaz Area Local Development Strategy". EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot Community. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Karpas (Karpaz)". Cypnet. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Karpaz-Akdeniz'in Saklı Cenneti", Caretta&Caretta, 50, November 2008, p. 30-44.
  4. ↑ "Nangomi Beach". Cypnet. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Donkey campaign unites Cypriots". BBC News Online. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2012.

External links

Coordinates: 35°31′40″N 34°16′38″E / 35.527756°N 34.277344°E