Cyprus Geography

Towns and Cities

Capital City

Nicosia
Pop est. 197,600 (ROC), 62,000 (TRNC)
Elevation 442 ft

Nicosia Pop: 197,600 (ROC 2003 est) 62,000 (TRUC 1997) is the capital of Cyprus. It lies slightly north of centre of the island on the Pedieos River, and remains the only divided city in Europe, being divided by the North/South border. It is the centre of an administrative district, part of which lies in the Turkish sector. Nicosia is an agricultural trade centre and has textile, leather, pottery, plastic industries and copper mining nearby.

Cities

Limassol
Pop est. 135,000
Elevation 32 ft

A city with a population of 135,000 on the South coast of Cyprus on Akrotiri Bay. It is a district administrative centre, a port and a resort. Chrome and Asbestos are mined in the district and wine and agricultural goods are exported.

Major Towns

Paphos
Pop 28,000
Elevation 127 ft

Paphos is a costal town on the southwest surrounded by beautiful countryside and is the tourist capital of the south. With a population of just 28,000 Paphos has as a backdrop the highest mountains in Cyprus, the Troodos Mountains. Paphos has its own international airport nearby and some luxury hotels along the coastline.
Paphos is closely linked with Greek Mythology, and boasts the birthplace of Aphrodite to the east of the town at a small group of rocks called “Petra tou Romiou” or Aphrodite Rocks.

Larnaca
Pop est. 62,000
Elevation 3 ft

A major town with a population of 62,000 is located on the south-east coast and is one of the oldest cities in Cyprus. It boasts a yacht marina and a bustling town, it is also a port and a district administrative centre. Chemicals, refined oil, and salt are important products. The modern section of the town occupies the site of ancient Citium and the town has a fort built by the Turks in 1625.

Famagusta (Gr: Ammochostos)
Pop est. 54,000 (1997)
Elevation 3 ft

Famagusta is major town of 30,798 (1992) on the east coast of Cyprus, on Famagusta Bay. An important port and a Turkish administrative centre, the city was completely evacuated in 1974 when Turkey invaded the island. Before 1974 the majority of the population were Greek Cypriots. Farming is the main occupation in the area and there are other light industries.

Kyrenia
Pop est. 38,000 (1997)
Elevation 137 ft

Dominated by the Kyrenia mountain range, an outcrop of jagged limestone mountains extending to 3,357 ft (1023 m) Kyrenia sits on the northern coastline of the island. 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 Troodos mountains.

Minor Towns

Towns / Villages

Main Source: Department of Statistics