About Cyprus

Lifestyle

The ideal weather and ideal location define the ideal lifestyle of this magnificent Mediterranean island. With more that 340 days of sunshine, residents and tourists get to enjoy the clear warm waters of Cyprus throughout the year.

In November you can swim in the warm Mediterranean in the morning and ski on the slopes of Troodos Mountains in the afternoon.

The sun has an incredible effect on the Cypriot lifestyle and reveals itself in many ways, especially through the diet and characteristics of the Cypriots.

Two of the main industries on the island, tourism and farming prosper from the sun. Cyprus produces a wide array of fruit, vegetables and free-range meat resulting in a delicious and healthy diet evolved from many influences. Greece , Armenia , Lebanon , Syria and Italy have all left their mark on the Cypriot cuisine.

Dining in Cyprus is a very sociable affair and is usually the main reason for friends to meet friends and family to meet family!

Cyprus also has a long tradition of winemaking that goes back over 4,000 years. In ancient times wine was a major source of wealth for the island. Approximately 10% of the island is covered in vineyards. The wines are best sampled at the annual wine festival in Limassol in September.

Cypriots widely speak English as a result of the British influence, and of course to accommodate the great numbers of English speaking tourists that visit the island.

Low Crime Rate

Cyprus enjoys a very low crime rate compared to other Mediterranean countries such as Spain , Portugal , Italy and France . Cyprus crime rate is only one tenth of the average rate of the other European countries (6% of United Kingdom ) . One will find that in residential areas, people rarely lock their cars, many times leave houses, windows or even doors open. This is all due to friendliness and honesty of the local population and the reason people return year after year.

Cyprus and the European community

Since the 1 st of May 2004 Cyprus joined the European Union. The benefits to Cyprus as a whole from membership of the EU are quite substantial, with the whole population of the island benefiting from political, economic, social, environmental and other advantages. The EU is Cyprus 's main trading partner accounting for approximately 50% of total trade, the United Kingdom being Cyprus ' main export destination. Further, Cyprus is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the British Commonwealth and also a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Transport & Telecommunications

In an island like Cyprus , where tourism is one of the main industries, transport and telecommunications systems are certainly of a high standard. There is public transport service with regular connections between cities with scheduled taxi services and comfortable coaches. Private taxis and rental cars are readily available.

Cyprus ranks third (3 rd ) in the world in having modern telecommunications facilities. CYTA (Cyprus Telecommunication Authority) provides the highest level of services by enabling participants to have direct dial access to over 200 countries.

These excellent communications have contributed to a great degree in the progressive development of the island. Our two international airports in Larnaca and Pafos as well as the ports of Limassol and Larnaca, connect Cyprus with all countries of the world. More than 40 airlines operate over 260 flights weekly to and from Cyprus . More than 60 charter airlines fly to Cyprus . Both airports of the island are among the most frequented in the Eastern

Climate & Temperatures

Cyprus enjoys the best Mediterranean climate with more than 340 days of sunshine per year. Larnaca, being a coastal city, enjoys cooler summers and short mild winters.

The swimming season begins from very early April and lasts up to late October, offering the local people and tourists a nice getaway almost all year around.

For the Mountain Resort lovers, Troodos mountains and its surrounding traditional villages are covered in snow from late November up to late January.

Geography

Cyprus is situated in the Eastern Mediterranean at the cross roads of three continents. The island's strategic location has shaped its history and civilization throughout the centuries.

The Greek cultural superiority, high quality standards of life, and generous tax incentives attract millions of tourists each year, great percentage of which become permanent residents to the island.

Cyprus ' total area is 9.251 sq. kms and is comparable in size to Lebanon in the Middle East or Connecticut in the United States . The island's time zone is 7 hours ahead of New York and 7 hours behind Tokyo .

During the winter season the Troodos mountain range is capped with snow, whilst in the resort towns the sun shines for an average of 6 hours a day and the temperature rarely falls below
18 C.

Cyprus is also home to several spectacular, blue salt lakes. In the winter months these lakes are home to numerous migratory birds, most famous of which are the pink flamingos stopping off on their way to Africa .

The Cyprus clock is two hours ahead of the UK. Flights to Cyprus from the UK take just over four hours. There are currently over 40 airlines operating in and out of Cyprus ' two international airports and this figure is changing drastically after Cyprus entered the European Union back in May 2004.

Whether you are looking for villages in the mountains, sandy beaches, green valleys and beautiful landscapes, all connected with excellent infrastructure, Cyprus is the location for you and your family. With tradition to its greatest, with family values that cannot be surpassed, Cyprus IS the ideal location of the past and the future.

 HISTORY

Cyprus has always been one of the most important trading locations between the empires of Europe, Africa and the Middle East .

Blessed and cursed at the same time by its ideal location, throughout history it has been influenced and governed by many different cultures, like the Mycenaeanst, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians.

The culture that was greatly welcomed and adopted was the Greek, which is still today dominating the island.

Peace was kept on the island by the Romans until the 7th century but for the next 300 years the Islamic and Byzantine empires fought for control.

After the reigns of Richard the Lionheart, The Templars and Guy de Lusigan, the Venetians eventually came to power in the 15th century, before handing it to Great Britain .

In 1925 Cyprus became a Crown colony of the UK . Cypriots' love and desire for unification with mother Greece , created many problems for the British and eventually Cyprus earned its independence in 1960.

With 9000 years of legend and history there is much to enchant you. Mountainous villages, crystal clear waters to tempt you, sandy beaches, green valleys and beautiful landscapes, all bathed in sunshine for 340 days each year.