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Cyprus Interest
Kyrenia
Kyrenia is a town on the northern coast with a population
of 38,000 (1997) and lies in the Turkish Controlled sector.
It is dominated by the Kyrenia mountain range, an outcrop
of jagged limestone mountains extending to 3,357 ft (1,023
m). The mountain range is highest in the west and declines
to the east, forming the backdrop to fine white sandy beaches.
To the south of the mountains the Mesaoria plain extends to
the Tróödos mountains.
According to legend the town was established by Achaeans
coming from Peloponnese in the 10th Century BC. Its founders
gave it the name of Kyrenia the name of a mountain in their
homeland. Another legend dates its origins to the Phoenicians,
who formed coastal commercial colonies in the mid 9th century
BC. The name of the city in Roman chronicles is Corenium.
Kyrenia harbour
Ringed with medieval buildings and flanked by a castle, this
is probably on of the most picturesque harbours on the entire
island.
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