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Morphou

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Morphou
The symbolic orange monument at the center of Morphou, representing the town's citrus industry
The symbolic orange monument at the center of Morphou, representing the town's citrus industry
Country Cyprus
 • DistrictNicosia District
Country (controlled by) Northern Cyprus
 • DistrictGüzelyurt District
Government
 • MayorMahmut Özçınar
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
18,946
Time zoneEET
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2
WebsiteMorphou Municipality
Municipality (in exile)

Morphou (Template:Lang-el; Template:Lang-tr or [Güzelyurt] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is a town in the north-western part of Cyprus, under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus. It is the administrative center of the Güzelyurt District of Northern Cyprus. Having been a predominantly Greek Cypriot community before the division of the island in 1974, the town is now inhabited by Turkish Cypriots. It is known for its agricultural products, including citrus and vegetables, and hosts the annual Orange Festival, which is a major cultural event.

History

Morphou was founded by Spartans who brought with them the worship of Aphrodite. In the Middle Ages, the city was referred to as Morphou but also Theomorphou.[2] The Morphou area grew more than half of Cyprus citrus fruits. In 16th and 17th centuries, during Ottoman period, Morphou was famous for its export of linen.[3]

The St Mamas Church
İnönü Square

It contains one of the many churches in the country dedicated to St. Mamas, popularly believed to have lived as a hermit in a cave near Morphou. According to local legend, he was a hermit living in very poor circumstances and when the authorities tried to tax him, he evaded them. Soldiers were sent out and captured him but on the way back to town, he saw a lion attacking a lamb, escaped the soldiers, saved the lamb, jumped on the lion's back and in that way came to town. His bravery earned him exemption from tax, hence his traditional attribute.[4][5]

Before 1974, Morphou was an almost entirely Greek Cypriot community. According to the 1960 population census it was inhabited by 6480 Greek Cypriots, 123 Turkish Cypriots and 32 Maronites.[6] Between 1907 and 1948, Morphou was one of the prominent stations of the Cyprus Government Railway.

After the hostilities [7][8] and the division of the island in 1974, population transfers were made in accordance with the population exchange agreement between Turkish and Greek Cypriots (Third Vienna Agreement) under the auspices of United Nations on 2 August 1975;[9] the Greek Cypriots in Morphou moved to the south. In response, the Turkish Cypriots in the south of the island moved to the north, some of which located to Morphou.

The population of Morphou increased slightly from 2006 to 2011.[10] The agriculture in Morphou is expected to be boosted via the increase in irrigated farming by the help of the water pipe-line from Turkey.[11]

North-South crossing

Morphou is home to one of the islands crossing points, which was opened to civilian use in 2003. It is located at Zodeia to the southeast of the town.

The crossing is used by vehicles, and passport/Id checks are done at both sides when crossing. The road goes through the U.N buffer zone, before entering the opposite side of the border, which was set up to prevent any further attacks between the two communities.

Modern era

With a population of 18,000 people, the town is famous for its apples, vegetables, grapefruit and melons for which a large proportion of the citrus fruits are exported and the remainder are turned into fruit juice and canned for local consumption and export. Morphou is also famous for its annual Orange Festival, which is a major event lasting two weeks.

The church is an icon museum now.

Education

In 2005, a Turkish state university, Middle East Technical University, opened its Northern Cyprus campus in Morphou, after the invitation of the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot governments in 2000.

Climate

Morphou has a borderline Mediterranean climate/semi-arid climate as the rest of the island where summers are hot and dry, and winters are cool and wet.[12]

Climate data for Morphou
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 16
(61) 		16
(61) 		17
(63) 		21
(70) 		26
(79) 		28
(82) 		31
(88) 		32
(90) 		30
(86) 		26
(79) 		22
(72) 		18
(64) 		24
(75)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 7
(45) 		7
(45) 		8
(46) 		11
(52) 		15
(59) 		19
(66) 		21
(70) 		22
(72) 		19
(66) 		15
(59) 		12
(54) 		9
(48) 		14
(57)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 73.6
(2.90) 		60.9
(2.40) 		60.9
(2.40) 		17.7
(0.70) 		10.2
(0.40) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		5.1
(0.20) 		27.9
(1.10) 		38.1
(1.50) 		109.2
(4.30) 		403.6
(15.9)
Average rainy days 6 5 4 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 3 8 32
Average relative humidity (%) 72 70 69 73 70 70 69 69 70 69 72 73 71
Source: Weatherbase [13]

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Northern Cyprus

Morphou is twinned with:

References

  1. ^ KKTC 2011 Nüfus ve Konut Sayımı (PDF), TRNC State Planning Organization, 6 August 2013 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Morphou". kypros.org. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  3. ^ "Morphou". cypnet.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  4. ^ "Saint Mamas". nostos.com. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  5. ^ "St. Mamas Monastery". Northern Cyprus.cc. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  6. ^ "1960 Census" (PDF). peace.org. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  7. ^ UN official website UNFICYP Mandate
  8. ^ CIA World FactbookTransnational Issues::CYPRUS; Disputes - international
  9. ^ United Nations, Cyprus Population Exchange Agreement 02.08.1975 United Nations, Cyprus Population Exchange Agreement 2 August 1975.
  10. ^ TRNC's 2006 Official Census TRNC's 2006 Official Census - Table1
  11. ^ Todays Zaman Finalization of water pipeline to Northern Cyprus to boost agriculture, economy
  12. ^ Climate Summary for Morphou
  13. ^ http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=110541&refer=&units=us&cityname=Morphou-Cyprus
  14. ^ "Our Sister Towns". © Morphou Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  15. ^ "Our Sister Towns". © Morphou Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  16. ^ "Elmali Municipality". © Elmali Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  17. ^ "Our Sister Towns". © Morphou Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  18. ^ "Our Sister Towns". © Morphou Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  19. ^ "Our Sister Towns". © Morphou Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  20. ^ "Our Sister Towns". © Morphou Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  21. ^ "TRNC Morphou Municipality". © Zeytinburnu Municipality. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
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