Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean. The landscape varies between rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rocky hills and forest-covered mountains. The Troodos Mountains in the center of the island rise to almost 1,952m (6,400ft) and provide skiing during the winter. Between these and the range of hills which run eastward along the north coast and the ‘panhandle’ is the fertile Messaoria Plain. The Morphou Basin runs around the coast of Morphou Bay in the west.

The capital of Cyprus since the 12th century, Nicosia stands at the heart of the Mesaoria Plain. It is currently divided by the ‘Green Line’, a UN buffer zone that separates the Turkish-occupied north of the island and the Government-controlled south. The Old City, which is being renovated in part, is defined by 16th-century walls built by the Venetians. Among attractions and points of interest are the Cyprus Museum, a storehouse of the island’s archaeological treasures, the Folk Art Museum, the new Archbishop’s Palace, St John’s Cathedral, Byzantine churches, the Byzantine Museum/Makarios Cultural Center and the Ömeriye Mosque.

History

Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided de facto into the government-controlled two-thirds of the island and the remaining one-third of the island, which is administered by Turkish Cypriots. Greek and Turkish Cypriots share many customs but maintain distinct identities based on religion, language, and close ties with their respective "motherlands." Greek is predominantly spoken in the south, Turkish in the north. English is widely used. Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education. The majority of Cypriots earn their higher education at Greek, Turkish, British, and other European or American universities. Both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities have developed private colleges and state-supported universities.

Cypriot culture is among the oldest in the Mediterranean. By 3700 BC, the island was well inhabited, a crossroads between East and West. The island fell successively under Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian, Greek, and Roman domination. For 800 years, beginning in 364 AD, Cyprus was ruled by Byzantium. After brief possession by King Richard I (the Lion-Hearted) of England during the Crusades, the island came under Frankish control in the late 12th century. It was ceded to the Venetian Republic in 1489 and conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1571. The Ottomans applied the millet system to Cyprus, which allowed religious authorities to govern their own non-Muslim minorities. This system reinforced the position of the Orthodox Church and the cohesion of the ethnic Greek population. Most of the Turks who settled on the island during the three centuries of Ottoman rule remained when control of Cyprus--although not sovereignty--was ceded to Great Britain in 1878. Many left for Turkey during the 1920s, however. The island was annexed formally by the United Kingdom in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I and became a crown colony in 1925.

Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom and established a constitutional republic in 1960, after an anti-British campaign by the Greek Cypriot EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters), a guerrilla group that desired political union, or enosis, with Greece. Archbishop Makarios, a charismatic religious and political leader, was elected president.

Shortly after the founding of the republic, serious differences arose between the two communities about the implementation and interpretation of the constitution. The Greek Cypriots argued that the complex mechanisms introduced to protect Turkish Cypriot interests were obstacles to efficient government. In November 1963, President Makarios advanced a series of constitutional amendments designed to eliminate some of these special provisions. The Turkish Cypriots opposed such changes. The confrontation prompted widespread intercommunal fighting in December 1963, after which Turkish Cypriots ceased to participate in the government. Following the outbreak of intercommunal violence, many Turkish Cypriots (and some Greek Cypriots) living in mixed villages began to move into enclaved villages or elsewhere. UN peacekeepers were deployed on the island in 1964. Following another outbreak of intercommunal violence in 1967-68, a Turkish Cypriot provisional administration was formed.

In July 1974, the military junta in Athens sponsored a coup led by extremist Greek Cypriots against the government of President Makarios, citing his alleged pro-communist leanings and his perceived abandonment of enosis. Turkey, citing the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, intervened militarily to protect Turkish Cypriots.In a two-stage offensive, Turkish troops took control of 38% of the island. Almost all Greek Cypriots fled south while almost all Turkish Cypriots fled north. Since the events of 1974, UN peacekeeping forces have maintained a buffer zone between the two sides. Except for occasional demonstrations or infrequent incidents between soldiers in the buffer zone, the island was free of violent conflict from 1974 until August 1996, when violent clashes led to the death of two demonstrators and escalated tension. The situation has been quiet since 1996.

Tourism is the main component of the southern service economy but, in recent years, financial services (including ‘offshore' enterprises) have also assumed an important role. The UK's sovereign military bases on the southern coast and near the partition boundary are a major source of revenue for the south.

Economic development of the northern occupied part of Cyprus has been severely limited by lack of diplomatic recognition and it continues to rely heavily on economic support from Turkey. The profile of the northern occupied part of Cyprus's agricultural sector is similar to that of the south; manufacturing is relatively insignificant; tourism relies heavily on visitors from the Turkish mainland. Both parts of the island rely on imported raw fuels for their energy supplies.

The decision of the north to allow visits across the partition may presage the development of a cross-border economy, but these links remain problematic due to the unresolved political situation. This concession on the part of the north was driven mainly by the acceptance of the south into the European Union in 2004, and the eurozone on 1 January 2008. Turkey, which ultimately controls the fate of the northern part of Cyprus, is an aspirant member of the EU, and a solution to the present division of the island is viewed by many as a key facilitator of Turkey's own accession.

The official languages are Greek in the south and Turkish in the north part of Cyprus. English is used for trade. The New Greek, which is being spoken and written in the south part, varies a little from the mother tongue.

Most people also speak English, but in the northern part less than in the south. The Turkish in the north is similar as the language on the mainland of Turkey.

Cyprus as whole is comprised of many different religions, yet, in terms of majorities there are only two. In the southern part for the most part the majority (78 %) are considered as being followers of the Greek Orthodox Church and its faith. In the north the majority of the population can be considered as being Muslims and thus followers of Islam (18 %). The rest (4 %) are the smaller religious groups of the Anglicans, Roman and Latin Christians, Maronites, Armenian Orthodox, Greek Evangelics, Jews and others

The island enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate with long, warm and dry summers from mid-May to mid-October. The winters are mild and sometimes rainy, lasting from December to February. Summers and winters in Cyprus are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.

Summer on the island is a season of high temperatures with cloudless sky, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in coastal areas. The hottest month ranges from 21 – 34 °C, in the high summer the temperatures reach up to 40 °C. In the interior of the island the temperature during the coldest months is between 7 and 15 degrees. Relief is a significant factor as far as temperatures are concerned. The higher the relief the lower the temperature is. In sunny coastal holiday resorts is therefore higher temperature while the Troodos Mountains or the Kyrenia Mountain range gets more rainfall and lower temperatures. Winters are mild with some rain and only occasional quick-melting falls of snow. The whole island boasts high sunshine duration in all coastal areas, even in January there are generally six hours of bright sunshine during the day. The weather in Cyprus is really most pleasant for holidays all year round.

The average rainfall of 402 mm, however, is below Mediterranean average, conforms more to the climate pattern of the eastern Mediterranean. Although snowfall is not typical of Cyprus plains and coastal areas, it can remain on the Troodos massif for 50 days a year. The coastal plains get a low rainfall, on average from 340 to 500 mm, falling predominately in the winter (Paphos town: 428 mm, Polis Chrysochou: 471 mm, Limassol town: 435 mm, Larnaca town: 369 mm). Nicosia town is characterized by lower average rainfall (324 mm) as it is situated in the outback of the island. In the hilly areas the average rainfall varies between 500 and 750 mm, falling particularly in winter, rarely in the summer. Due to the altitude, the highest number of rainfall is bound to the mountainous areas, where it ranges between 750 and 1110 mm with very little rainfall in the summer.

Required Clothing:
December - January: It is the winter time for Cypriots however, at daytime the sunshine is not absent. During this period you should be prepared for all the kinds of weather that a European spring may bring. The evenings and nights are cold. Recommended are winter clothes but definitely not heavy coats.

February - March: Occasional rain, sometimes chilly evenings. Plenty of warm and sunny days. March is a spring period in Cyprus. Light winter clothes with medium-weight wear.

April - May: Pleasantly warm days, though temperatures may fall a bit at night. Medium-weight and summer apparel with woollies for the evenings.

June - July - August: Hot summer time with the cloudless sky and temperatures up to 40° C. Recommended is very light summer clothing. Make sure you wear sunglasses and a hat. Have plenty of sun cream with you as well as a bottle of water.

September - October: Hot or warm days with cooler October evenings. Light-weight clothing for the day and medium-weight, like light jacket for the evenings in October.

November: Pleasantly warm and sunny days. Recommended is medium-weight clothing supplied with light woollies.

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Visitors wishing to obtain non-Cypriot currency at Cypriot banks for business purposes are advised that this is only possible by prior arrangement.All major credit cards are accepted at most places. There are ATMs in main towns and tourist areas.May be cashed in all banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours are generally Mon-Fri 0830-1230 in June, July and August; Mon-Fri 0815-1230 and Mon 1515-1645 rest of year. Certain central banks may also open Tues-Fri in the afternoon. Banks in Larnaca and at Pafos International Airport are open all day

• Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
• Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.
• Country code: 357

The following goods may be imported into Cyprus by visitors arriving from countries outside the EU without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• lL of spirits (over 22% volume) or 2L of fortified wine or sparkling wine, 2l of still wine
• 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
• Goods (excluding jewellery) up to €175. The limit is reduced to €90 for travellers under 15 years of age.

Prohibited Imports:
Agricultural products and propagating stock, such as natural fruit, flowers, seeds etc. without the approval of the relevant authorities; the importation of a number of other articles such as uncooked meat, fish and dairy products, animals, fire arms and explosives, pirated or counterfeit goods, obscene publications is also prohibited or restricted.

Getting Around Cyprus

The national airline is Cyprus Airways (CY)
Main Airports:
Larnaca (LCA) is 5km (3 miles) south of Larnaca and 50km (31 miles) from Nicosia.
Taxis are available outside the airport terminal to and from the airport. Duty-free shop, tourist information, bank/bureau de change, bars and restaurants, Cyprus Hotel inforrmation and Reservation Office, car hire and post office are also at the airport.

Pafos (PFO) is 15km (9 miles) east of the city (journey time - 25 minutes).Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Tourist trvladvrmation, duty-free shop, Cyprus Hotel trvladvrmation, cafeteria and car hire are also at the airport.

Passenger ships from the ports of Limassol and Larnaca connect Cyprus with various Greek and Middle Eastern ports, including Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Haifa, Port Said, Jounieh and many Greek islands. Services are reduced during the winter months. Since 1974, the Cyprus government declared the ports of Famagusta (Ammochostos) and Kyrenia, and the airport of Ercan, all in the northern part of the island, as illegal ports of entry to Cyprus.

After political changes in Europe for the past couple of years now, and accession of the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus) into the European Union dating 1 May 2004, regulations for entry to the Cyprus Island are becoming less strict. However, for some countries limited options still exist. Turkey residents can visit North Cyprus, but South Cyprus is for them literally inaccessible (unless they marry a Turkish Cypriot).

The citizens of European Union nations like:Turkey, USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Israel, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Australia and New Zealand do not require visa to enter the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. All other nationals should check their position with regard to passports and visa with the nearest Embassy or Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus . Foreign country visitors have their passports stamped at the arrival checkpoints of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which are only legal ports - Ercan airport (or military airports for military purposes), Famagusta and Kyrenia seaport and when entering North Cyprus via South Cyprus your passport is stamped at border checkpoints. If you travel from North Cyprus to South Cyprus , visa form needs to be completed and stamped at the border checkpoints. This paper visa form is loosely inserted into the passport and stamped either you depart or arrive in North Cyprus.

After arriving in the TRNC (the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus ) you can stay for up to 3 months which is provided by your tourist visa. If you consider prolonging your stay, you need to apply for a residency permit at local Immigration Office which allows you to reside in Northern Cyprus . Your work permit should be issued prior to arrival in North Cyprus.

The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the seaports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos. If you travel to South Cyprus via North Cyprus then you have to cross the border checkpoints and have your visa paper form stamped upon departure from Northern Cyprus . Turkish mainland citizens are not allowed to enter South Cyprus . For those intending to be employed in the Republic of Cyprus the issue of an employment permit by the Migration officer and all the necessary documents are required prior to departure for South Cyprus . Visa requirements for entry to the Republic of Cyprus vary, but as of latest they remain as follows.

The House of the Olive is set high on a hill just outside the village of Anogyra, for which you turn off at the signpost from the motorway onto the Pachna road, about half way between Limassol and Paphos. It offers visitors the chance to learn more about the history of olive oil making, to purchase high grade extra virgin oil, or browse among the many olive-related products on sale in the gift shop, after which you can sit down in the tiny café area and watch (when in season) locals bringing in their just-picked olives to tip into one end of the pressing process.

This beach is the most popular within Protaras Beach . The British christened it "Fig Tree Bay" and the name was given after the single fig tree that stands guard back from the beach and is claimed to have been brought from the east in the 17 th century. The beach has fine-grained sand, the sea is clear and it is supplied with recreational facilities like water-skiing, paragliding and more. Many tourists, however, find it difficult to spot the beach itself, as it is not signed from the inland bypass road, lined by a chain of restaurants. Only the hotels are indicated. If you decide to spend your holiday here, remember that Salparo Hotel Apartments mark the north end of the bay, and the Nausicaa Beach Hotel Apartments the southern edge.