Cyprus
has many fine hotels, from large and luxurious to small and
simple. The tourist office offers a free Hotel Guide.
Holidays
New
Year's Day, Epiphany (Jan. 6), Green Monday (Mar. 10), Greek
Independence Day (March 25), Greek Cypriot National Day (April
1), Good Friday (April 25), Easter Sunday and Monday (April
27 and 28), Pentecost/Kataklysmos (June 16), Assumption (Aug.
15), Cyprus Independence Day (Oct. 1), Christmas and Boxing
Day (Dec. 25 and 26).
Highlights
Lefkosia
(Nicosia), the 1,000-year-old capital is encircled by fortress
walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century. The old city
is sprinkled with historical buildings as well as shops, cafes
and tavernas. Lemesos (Limassol), the second-largest city, is
spirited and cosmopolitan. It is the main port, the centre of
the wine industry, and a bustling resort. Pafos is where Aphrodite,
goddess of love, is said to have risen from the sea. Spectacular
archaeological excavations continue here. Larnaka, site of the
modern international airport, has a palm-lined seafront bustling
with cafes, tavernas, shops. Lefkara still produces the lace
that Leonardo da Vinci chose as an altar cloth for Milan's cathedral.
The monastery of Stavros graces the square of Omodos, a wine-producing
village. Entertainment, Dining, and Shopping in Cyprus...
Has a considerably lower price rate for holiday or second homes from
other EE countries?
Has one of the lowest costs of living and very low crime rates, one
sixth of the European average?
Enjoys high standards of schooling and medical care?
Is among the most developed countries in the world regarding telecommunication
and ranks 3rd in the world regarding quality and technology?
Enjoys 340 days of sunshine?
WHY CYPRUS
As a tourist destination, Cyprus enjoys several competitive advantages
over other Mediterranean destinations. The climate is attractive on a
year-round basis, the destination is safe with a low crime rate, the standard
of living is high, the cost of living is low, the people are warm and
friendly and there are no language barriers.
In the real estate market, the buyers are usually British retirees and
to a lesser extent British second home buyers account for the bulk of
the Cyprus market while there is evidence of increased demand from the
Swiss, German and Scandinavian markets.
General Information
This island republic of spectacular beauty offers sandy beaches, rugged
cliffs and cool
pine forests. Its 9,000-year-old cultural heritage blends East and West.
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea,
south of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 9,250 sq km (note-of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot
area)
land: 9,240 sq km, water: 10 sq km
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claims: continental
shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers
and cool, wet winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant
plains along southern coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m , highest point: Olympus 1,952 m
Ethnic
groups: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek Cypriot area;
0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish 18% (1.3%
of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks live in
the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live
in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish
Cypriot area)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%,
Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Languages: Greek,
Turkish, And English
Government
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus note: the Turkish Cypriot area
refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"
(TRNC) Data code: CY
Government type: republic note: a desegregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the
island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation
was further solidified following the Turkish intervention in July 1974 following
a Greek junta-based coup attempt, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto
control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized
government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf
DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by Turkey;
both sides publicly call for the resolution of inter-communal differences
and creation of a new federal system of government
Capital: Nicosia note: the Turkish Cypriot area's capital is Lefkosa
(Nicosia)
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta,
Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note-Turkish Cypriot area's
administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta,
and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK) note: Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed
self-rule on 13 February 1975 from Republic of Cyprus
Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution
to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots
have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own
constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State
of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed
by referendum on 5 May 1985
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
Flag description: white with a copper-coloured silhouette
of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper)
above two green crossed olive branches in the centre of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish
communities note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal
red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red
star on a white field
ol
pine forests. Its 9,000-year-old cultural heritage blends East and West. 
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant
plains along southern coast
