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Nature And Sports Activities |
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Orchids Probably the group of wild flowers that fascinates most spring visitors to our country are the orchids-about 30 different kinds. These have always been rather a problem for a North Cyprus herbarium, because they go black and unrecognizable when dried. so we have provided three ways out for the visitor who want to identify 'this lovely orchid'. One is the complete series of color photographs of all North Cyprus, orchids made by the German specialist A and K Hansen and given to the herbarium as a birthday present. Another aid to identification is our famous 'spirit collection' - orchid flowers preserved in an alcoholic mixture developed by the great British herbarium at kew. In this they lose colors but preserve their shape, an equally important clue. And a third aid is the 4-page 'simplified key' to all the local orchids. This helps you to run down the right name of your specimen by answering a series questions about it, and gives a lot of surprising information about the orchids family too. |
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Sea Turtles There are two main types of sea-turtles nesting along the coast of North Cyprus; Caretta-Caretta, and Chelonia-Mydas. Both are listed as endangered species and under strict protection. The egging season is from mid-May until mid-October. The turtles make their nest by digging the sand 30-60 cm deep. If they succeed laying their eggs and the eggs are not harmed, the baby turtles crawl down to the sea in about 55-60 days. And if the baby turtles manage to survive, they come back to lay their eggs there in 30 years time. it is noted that only one in four thousand bay sea-turtles manage to survive until their adolescence. During their lifetime, and specially they lay their eggs, the sea-turtles are especially vulnerable to external dangers, such as other sea or land animals, noise, pollution, rubbish, and etc. The environmental protection of Northern Cyprus, together with environment related NGO's ( such as Society for protection of marine turtles, green peace movement of North Cyprus, and North Cyprus National Trust) are very active in the protection of the sea turtles of Northern Cyprus, which is home to this friendly guest of our island. |
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Wildlife of North Cyprus With a unique nature and flora, what awaits you is a completely different life in amongst the untouched beauties of North Cyprus. Just as their are beauties that reflect the character of the region, each region also cuddles life forms that add color to it character. on the slopes of the Bes Parmak Mountains, it is possible to see mountain goats and even be track with them when you walking in the mountain. from the many verities of both and small animals, that really draws the attention of both locals and foreigners and at the same time has actually become the symbol of North Cyprus is no doubt the donkey. The donkeys of North Cyprus have chosen for their home the strikingly beautiful and virgin nature of the Karpaz Peninsula. Recently, special measures have been taken for the protection of the donkeys. These animals generally move about in groups and despite their wild nature they have known to act friendly. Those who have been tamed, help out on farms, in villages and are sometimes used for transportation and are simply adored by children. |
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Bird
Watching There are several areas where bird
watching is particularly good. There is a Society for the Protection of Birds
in Northern Cyprus called KUSKOR and they will advise you of where and when to
go. Tel: +90 392 815 7337. Camping There are several official camping
sites in the Girne and Gazi Magusa areas which offer services such as
washrooms, toilets, restaurants and bars. However the more intrepid visitor may
wish to venture out into the wild, where there are no such facilities. There
are no restrictions on such activities except that lighting fires in forest
areas is an offence. Caving There are several caves in Northern
Cyprus that you are free to explore. One, known as the Hot Cave, north of
Agirdag village on the southern slopes of the Five Finger mountains, is a
partially collapsed natural formation. Warm air emanates from the cave, hence
the name. Do not attempt to enter the cave. Another natural cave in Girne area
is the Guvercinlik Cave near Alevkayasi. Access to the cave involves some
fairly difficult climbing. Proceed with caution. There
are three more caves in the Gazi Magusa area. Probably the most beautiful cave
is Incirli Cave, a hundred mete long passage which contains an amazing collection of stalatites and stalagmites. The cave is opened on Sundays (or by
special arrangement with the village muhtar). There is a small entrance fee.
Gastro Cave between Kuruova and Kaleburnu villages is a man made cave
containing three rooms. Finally the omniously named Execution Cave, near
Kaleburnu. There is set to be a golden earthenware jar hidden somewhere in the
cave. Go-Karting There is at present two go-karting
tracks, one in the Kyrenia area Tel: (+90 542) 851 0439, and another near Alaykoy
Nicosia Tel: (+90 533) 866 6173 Horse
riding There are several stables offering
riding lessons in the Girne and Gazi Magusa areas. Some stables also allow
customers to hire horses to take out. Hunting Hunting is the greatest passion of many
a Turkish Cypriot man. The season runs from October to February and is limited
to Sundays only. Hunting areas are strictly controlled by the government and
hunters must be licensed. The most popular prey for hunters are partridge, wood
pigeon and hare. National
Parks Northern Cyprus has one National Park
in the Karpaz Peninsula. Here a large number of birds, wild donkeys, turtles,
rare flora and amazingly beautiful beaches can be found. Photography With its wealth and variety of
landscapes Northern Cyprus is an ideal place for keen photographers. Care
should be taken not to take photographs in the vicinity of military
installations as it is strictly forbidden. Sea
turtle watching There are a number of beaches along the
northern coast where Loggerhead and Green Turtles lay their eggs in the sand
between June and October. If you wish to join a group to watch them, or to
actively help out in the task of helping to protect them, please contact the
Turtle Protection Society. Tel: +90 392 815 2496 / 815 5135 Sightseeing
tours Some tour companies and hotels organize
their own bus tours of the island. If your company does not do so and you wish
to join a tour, contact the Tourist Information Office. Walking/hiking/trekking Hiking tours for people from all ages
and physical disposition are organized by a number of centres in the Girne area
and are generally conducted in the Girne mountain range. One particular tour
party, organized by "Mountain Climbing Sport Association", meets
every Sunday between October and the end of April, and twice a month (again on
Sundays) between the summer months from May to the end of September. During the
winter the tour programmed is published at the beginning of every month,
explaining the route and where to meet etc. All walks, as well as being good
exercise, endeavor to show walkers interesting natural and historical features.
The tours generally start at 7:30 a.m. and finish between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
It is essential that you wear proper grooved walking shoes. You must also take
your own water, and a hiking stick is advisable. Tel:(+90 542) 851 18 00
(Mustafa Cemal-Chief of the association) Water
sports There are several beaches in Kyrenia and
Famagusta, which offer a variety of water sports ranging from water skiing, par ascending,
wind-surfing and Jet skiing. And for diving, Tel: (+90 392) 822 3430. Wildlife
in northern Cyprus With an average of only 51 people per
square kilometer, Northern Cyprus holds the enviable reputation of being
relatively free of pollution, industry or high concentrations of population.
And with 387 km of coastline and pine, cypress and maquis covered hillsides;
Northern Cyprus is something of a haven for wildlife. Northern Cyprus plays
host to over 1600 plant species of which 22 are endemic, 350 species of birds,
of which 7 are endemic, and 26 different species of reptile and amphibian. The
two main reasons for this amazing diversity are, firstly, that Cyprus was not
affected by the last ice-age (which wiped out many species from areas further
north), and secondly, that Cyprus forms a resting, and nesting, station for
birds migrating between Africa and Eastern Europe. Yachting/Boat
Tours Yacht and boat tours are available
throughout the summer from Kyrenia Harbor. There are many vendors, so take time
to find a suitable service. There are also tours which depart from the port in
Famagusta and sail along the Karpaz Peninsula. |
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