Time zone EET (UTC+2) | Population 6,597 (2011) | |
 | ||
Weather 17°C, Wind SE at 18 km/h, 56% Humidity | ||
Karavas (Greek: Καραβάς; Turkish: Alsancak) is a town in the Kyrenia District of Cyprus. It is under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus. As of 2011, the town has a population of 6,597.
Contents
Map of Alsancak
Etymology
The name Karavas comes from the Greek karávi (καράβι), meaning "ship".
History
Prior to the Turkish invasion in 1974, Karavas had a pure Greek population of approximately 3,000. Karavas was captured by the Turkish Army during the second Turkish invasion of Cyprus after July 20, 1974. All Greek Cypriot inhabitants were forced out of Karavas by Turkish military forces and have become refugees within Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriot municipality Alsancak was founded in 1974.
"Pente Mili" is one of the most beautiful beaches in Karavas.
The Cyprus Treasure, an impressive collection of silver vessels, dishes, spoons and jewelry, was found here in 1902 and 1917. It can be found in the British Museum in London, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.
Notable people
Karavas is the ancestral village of the British pop singer George Michael.
Twin towns – sister cities
Karavas is twinned with: