Karpas Peninsula

Coordinates: 35°31′40″N 34°16′38″E / 35.527756°N 34.277344°E / 35.527756; 34.277344
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Karpasia peninsula
)
Part of the Karpas Peninsula from space
Golden Beach on the Karpas Peninsula, at sunset

The Karpas Peninsula (

Republic of Cyprus
.

Geography

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

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

There are more than 46 sandy beaches in the peninsula, which are the primary Eastern Mediterranean nesting grounds for the

Karpas donkey, known as a symbol of Cyprus; there are campaigns carried out jointly by Turkish and Greek Cypriots to conserve the rare donkeys of the peninsula.[4]

Activities

Most of the activities in the Karpas Peninsula are related to agriculture, fishing, hunting, and some to micro-tourism. Local farmers take advantage of this natural environment to grow different fruits and vegetables mostly as sub-subsistence farming (although for local commerce too). The region is mostly known for its karpuz (Turkish for "watermelon"). Several tourist businesses can be found in the town of Rizokarpaso. These are generally restaurants serving traditional Turkish-Cypriot Cuisine, including meze.

Due to its geographical position, the Karpas Peninsula is somewhat protected from human interference. This makes it a pristine natural environment, home to many inland and marine species. When hunting season starts, the Karpas's forests are a popular location to go hunting for partridges. Meanwhile, the coastal region, with its clear waters, moderate northern currents, and rocky bottom with cave-like structures, is home to two of the most highly valued fish species: the orfoz (dusky grouper) and lahos (Epinepheluses). The price per kilogram of each species ranges from 35-80 Turkish lira,[when?] depending on the location and the season. However, fishing rates in the Karpas region and most of North Cyprus dramatically decreased last century because of the use of dynamite. This is why the Zafer Burunu (the tip of the peninsula) is now a protected natural heritage area, where marine species are slowly recovering to healthy population parameters.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ a b "Karpaz Area Local Development Strategy" (PDF). EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot Community. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Karpas (Karpaz)". Cypnet. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Karpaz-Akdeniz'in Saklı Cenneti", Caretta&Caretta, 50, November 2008, p. 30-44.
  4. ^ "Donkey campaign unites Cypriots". BBC News Online. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2012.

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