Lefke

Lefke is a town in the northwestern part of Cyprus and the administrative center of the Lefke District in the de facto state of Northern Cyprus. It lies at the southern foothills of the Beşparmak (Five Finger) mountain range near Morphou Bay and experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Historically, the Lefke area has long been inhabited and has ties to Cyprus’s copper-mining heritage, which played a significant role in the island’s economy in antiquity and through the medieval period. The town subsequently passed under various rulers and, after the division of the island in 1974, came under Turkish administration as part of Northern Cyprus. The landscape around Lefke remains rural, with agricultural activity continuing to be important.

The local economy traditionally centered on copper mining and agriculture. Today, agriculture remains significant, with citrus fruits, olives, and vineyards common in the surrounding countryside. Tourism and education have grown in importance, aided by the presence of Lefke Avrupa Üniversitesi (Lefke European University), established in the late 1990s, which offers programs across multiple disciplines and attracts students from the region and beyond.

Culturally, Lefke features a historic town core with remnants of Ottoman-era architecture and religious and civic buildings typical of northern Cyprus towns. The area is known for its scenic mountain-and-coastline setting, contributing to outdoor and cultural activities in the region.