Introduction to Northern Cyprus

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To the east of the island the mountain range loses height as it extends along the narrow peninsula known as Karpas or "The Panhandle". Along it one finds the best beaches in Cyprus. Miles of empty bays with pure white sand.

The resort town of Kyrenia is on the northern coast, and the second resort town of Famagusta in the east.

Quite apart from the huge range of cultivated flowers, North Cyprus and especially the Karpas peninsula is a rich botanical area with literally hundreds of species of wild flowers from crown anemones and pink rock roses, to purple iris and yellow crowfoot. From February to June many areas of North Cyprus are carpeted with colourful wild flowers. The birds and the butterflies also are glorious, lizards abound, and the loggerhead and green turtle still come ashore to lay their eggs on North Cyprus's unspoiled beaches.

The average annual temperature is 20°C (68F). Summer temperatures average 30°C (90F) with the coldest months of January and February 10°C (50F).