# Karpas Peninsula > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Karpas_Peninsula > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Karpas_Peninsula.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpas_Peninsula > Source revision: 1353042930 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Peninsula on the island of Cyprus The Karpas Peninsula as seen from space. The **Karpas Peninsula** ([Greek](/source/Greek_language): Καρπασία, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Greek): *Karpasía*; [Turkish](/source/Turkish_language): *Karpaz*), also known as the **Karpass**, **Karpaz** or **Karpasia**, is a long, finger-like [peninsula](/source/Peninsula) that is one of the most prominent geographical features of the [island of Cyprus](/source/Island_of_Cyprus). Its farthest extent is [Cape Apostolos Andreas](/source/Cape_Apostolos_Andreas), and its major population centre is the town of [Rizokarpaso](/source/Rizokarpaso) (Greek: Ριζοκάρπασο; Turkish: *Dipkarpaz*). It is currently under the [de facto](/source/De_facto) control of the [internationally-unrecognised state](/source/Unrecognised_countries) of [Northern Cyprus](/source/Northern_Cyprus).[1] ## Geography [Golden Beach](/source/Golden_Beach%2C_Cyprus) on the Karpas Peninsula, at sunset 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 [Trikomo](/source/Trikomo%2C_Cyprus) (İskele), the district capital, is considered to be the "gateway" and the geographical starting point of the peninsula, along with the neighboring village of [Bogazi](/source/Bogazi) (Boğaz). Apart from Trikomo, the most important towns and municipalities in the area are [Yialousa](/source/Yialousa), [Galateia](/source/Galateia), [Rizokarpaso](/source/Rizokarpaso), [Komi Kebir](/source/Komi_Kebir) and [Akanthou](/source/Akanthou).[2] The peninsula hosts a number of historical sites such as [Kantara Castle](/source/Kantara_Castle) and [Apostolos Andreas Monastery](/source/Apostolos_Andreas_Monastery), as well as the ruins of [Agia Trias Basilica](/source/Agia_Trias_Basilica) and the ancient cities of [Karpasia](/source/Karpasia_(town)) and [Aphendrika](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aphendrika&action=edit&redlink=1) among numerous others.[2] There are more than 46 sandy beaches in the peninsula, which are the primary Eastern Mediterranean nesting grounds for the [loggerhead](/source/Loggerhead_sea_turtle) (*Caretta caretta*) and [green sea turtles](/source/Green_sea_turtle) (*Chelonia mydas*).[3] The [Golden Beach](/source/Golden_Beach%2C_Cyprus) is situated around 15 km from the town of Rizokarpaso and is considered one of the finest and most remote beaches of Cyprus. It is one of the least tourist-frequented beaches in the island.[4] The Karpas Peninsula is home to the [Karpas donkey](/source/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.[5] ## 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](/source/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](/source/Partridge). 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](/source/Epinephelus_marginatus)) and *lahos* (*[Epinepheluses](/source/Epinephelus)*). The price per kilogram of each species ranges from 35-80 Turkish lira,[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] 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 - A beach in [Davlos](/source/Davlos) - A beach in [Galateia](/source/Galateia) - [Apostolos Andreas Monastery](/source/Apostolos_Andreas_Monastery) - Two [Karpas donkeys](/source/Karpas_donkey) - A [sand lily](/source/Pancratium_maritimum) on the Karpas Peninsula ## See also - [Ayios Theodoros Karpasias](/source/Ayios_Theodoros_Karpasias) - [List of peninsulas](/source/List_of_peninsulas) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Northern Cyprus pursues bid for international recognition"](https://www.brusselstimes.com/1138076/northern-cyprus-pursues-bid-for-international-recognition). *The Brussels Times*. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024. The TRNC is not accepted by the UN, as it is considered an occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-euproje_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-euproje_2-1) ["Karpaz Area Local Development Strategy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141228220829/http://www.tccruraldevelopment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/local_development_strategy_karpaz_area.pdf) (PDF). EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot Community. Archived from [the original](http://www.tccruraldevelopment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/local_development_strategy_karpaz_area.pdf) (PDF) on 28 December 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-cypnet_3-0)** ["Karpas (Karpaz)"](http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/city/iskele/karpas/). Cypnet. Retrieved 27 March 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "Karpaz-Akdeniz'in Saklı Cenneti", *Caretta&Caretta*, 50, November 2008, p. 30-44. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Donkey campaign unites Cypriots"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7361353.stm). *[BBC News Online](/source/BBC_News_Online)*. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2012. Authority control databases International VIAF Other Yale LUX [35°31′40″N 34°16′38″E / 35.527756°N 34.277344°E / 35.527756; 34.277344](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Karpas_Peninsula¶ms=35.527756_N_34.277344_E_source:dewiki_region:CY-03_type:landmark) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Karpas Peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpas_Peninsula) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpas_Peninsula?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.