Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sardinia and Sicily. It lies 65 km from Turkey's southern coast. Other  neighbouring countries are Syria (97 km), Lebanon (108 km), Egypt (370 km), Israel and Greece. Since the division of Cyprus in 1974 the Turkish Cypriots have lived in the northern part of the island while Greek Cypriots live in the south. Mainly the effects of side pressures have formed the island's present shape during different geological ages. ‘Capes' have been formed where the land has strength against the erosion of the sea and ‘Gulfs' have been formed where the land was weaker and so gave way to erosion. There are two capes, Zafer Cape at the end of the Karpaz peninsula and Korucam Cape to the west. The two gulfs are at Guzelyurt and Famagusta.
Area: The total area of the island is approximately 9,252 sq km, but North Cyprus covers a total area of 3,515 sq km or nearly one third of the whole island. It is some 242 km wide and 64 km deep approximately at its extreme points.
Coastline: The coastline consists of enchanting coves, rocky coast and long golden sandy beaches. The beaches of North Cyprus are among the cleanest and safest in the Mediterranean. The average water temperature is 24C between May and October. The summer season sees the Hotel Beaches offering an excellent service to its customers in terms of eating and drinking facilities, not failing to mention the provision of beach umbrellas and beach loungers. Some of the beaches of Norhern Cyprus will also offer activities such as water skiing, banana rides, jet-ski, wind surfing and scuba diving.
Mountains: The most prominent feature of Norht Cyprus is the northern range of mountains, known as the Kyrenia Mountains, or Five Finger Mountains. It is a narrow range, approximately 130 km long, running parallel to the coastline. Occupying an area of about 260 sq km, it is composed predominately of limestone, dolomite, and marble. The highest point is Mount Selvili, near village of Lapta, at 1,023 m. The largest spring in the North Cyprus is in this range near Five Finger Mountains. The fertile north coast is chiefly covered with olive and carob trees.
Plains and Lowlands: The Mesaoria plain, which lies in the centre of the island, between the Kyrenia Mountains and the Troodos Mountains in the south, is used for the production of central crops such as wheat, barley and oats. It is known as the breadbasket of Cyprus.
Sea and Shore: The northern and eastern shores of North Cyprus are lapped by the clear, blue, warm waters of the Mediterranean. All along the coastline are bays and beaches where swimming and sunbathing can take place the whole year round. The largest bays are Guzelyurt and Famagusta and main peninsulas are Zafer, Korucam and Kasa.
Earthquakes: Cyprus is located in the palm of what is known as the Cyprian Arc. Unfortunately the exact location of the Cyprian Arc is still under debate. It seems that each time that a study is conducted, different results emerge. It has reached the point that people do not even know what type of fault the Cyprian Arc is.
North Cyprus Climate: North Cyprus as well as the whole island enjoys typical Mediterranean climate with long, warm and dry summers from mid-May to mid-October and mild and wet winters from December to February. The short autumn and spring periods complete the seasons of the year.
Temperatures: Summer in North Cyprus is a season of hot weather, high temperatures and cloudless sky, but the sea breeze make a pleasant atmosphere in coastal areas. The temperature of the hottest months of July and August crawls to 34 °C and even to 40 °C. In the interior of the island the temperature during the coldest months is between 7 and 15 degrees. As the relief grows higher, the temperature gets lower. That is why the coastal areas boast higher temperatures while the Kyrenia Mountain range gets more rainfall and the temperatures are lower. Winters are mild with some rain and only occasional quick-melting falls of snow on the Kyrenia Mountain range. Whole Cyprus enjoys high sunshine duration in all coastal areas, even in January there are generally six hours of bright sunshine during the day. The weather in North Cyprus provides the visitors a truly pleasant holiday all year round.
Rainfall and Snow: The average rainfall of 402 mm, however, is below Mediterranean average, conforms more to the climate pattern of the eastern Mediterranean. Although snowfall is not typical of Cyprus, it can remain on the Troodos massif in the southern part. The coastal plains get a low rainfall, on average from 340 to 500 mm, falling predominately in the winter. Nicosia town is characterized by low average rainfall (324 mm) as it is situated in the outback of the island. In the hilly areas the average rainfall varies between 500 and 750 mm, falling particularly in winter, rarely in the summer. Due to the altitude, the highest number of rainfall is bound to the Kyrenia Mountain range, where it ranges between 750 and 1110 mm with very little rainfall. It is the Kyrenia Mountains that create a climatic barrier and make Kyrenia town a sunny destination with very little rainfall all year round.
Weather and Clothing: As the weather in Cyprus is changing during the year, here are some suggestions for what to wear during the seasons:
- December - January: Although it is the winter time for Cypriots, the sunshine is not absent. During this period you should be prepared for all the kinds of weather that a European spring may bring. The evenings and nights are cold. Recommended are winter clothes but definitely not heavy coats.
- February - March: A period with occasional rain, sometimes chilly evenings however, there is plenty of warm and sunny days. March is a spring period in Cyprus. Light winter clothes with medium-weight wear.
- April - May: Pleasantly warm days, though temperatures may decrease at night. Recommended is medium-weight and summer apparel with woollies for the evenings.
- June - July - August: Be prepared for heat, hot summer days with the cloudless sky and temperatures reaching up to 40° C. Recommended is very light summer clothing and make sure you wear sunglasses and a hat and have plenty of sun cream. Take a bottle of water with you everywhere.
- September - October: Hot or warm days with chilly October evenings. Light-weight clothing for the day and medium-weight, like light jacket for the evenings in October.
- November: Pleasantly warm and sunny days. Recommended is medium-weight clothing supplied with light woollies.
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