Akrotiri Peninsula (Cyprus)

The Akrotiri Peninsula is a short peninsula which includes the southernmost point of the island of Cyprus. It is bounded by Episkopi Bay to the west and Akrotiri Bay to the east and has two capes to the south-west and south-east, known as Cape Zevgari and Cape Gata.[1]

For the peninsula of the same name on Crete, see Akrotiri, Crete.

The most prominent features of the peninsula are the Akrotiri Salt Lake and the aerodrome, which is RAF Akrotiri and Limassol BBC Relay.

In December 2018, a Byzantine church with mosaics including inscriptions in perfect condition dating back to the reign of Emperor Heraclius was discovered during the twelfth excavation season by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprusat the site of Katalymata ton Plakoton, according to an Athens Macedonia News Agency. The Greek Christian inscription described a text “My Lord help those who honor your name”.[2][3][4][5]

Environment

The peninsula, including a variety of wetlands, coastal scrub, dunes and the Episkopi cliffs, has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports breeding, wintering or passage migrant populations of several bird species. [6]

The wetlands to the north of the Akrotiri Salt Lake contain evidence for Bronze Age climate change.[7]

References
  1. "Akrotiri". The CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  2. "Department of Antiquities - Excavations". www.mcw.gov.cy. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  3. "2018 excavations at Katalymata ton Plakoton on west coastline of Akrotiri Peninsula concluded". The Archaeology News Network. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  4. "Byzantine Churches Uncovered in Cyprus - Archaeology Magazine". www.archaeology.org. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  5. Chrysopoulos, Philip. "Important Christian Monument Discovered in Cyprus | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece". Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  6. "Akrotiri Peninsula - Episkopi Cliffs". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  7. Hazell, Calian J.; Pound, Matthew J.; Hocking, Emma P. (2021-12-09). "Response of the Akrotiri Marsh, island of Cyprus, to Bronze Age climate change". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 587: 110788. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2021.110788. ISSN 0031-0182. S2CID 245026545.

34.61°N 32.97°E / 34.61; 32.97

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