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General Information


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GENERAL INFORMATION OF CYPRUS

Cyprus is situated at the Northeast end of the Mediterranean basis, is the third largest island with an area of 9,251 square kilometers (3,572 square miles).

DEMOGRAPHY
The 
Population of Cyprus is approximately 812.200 of whom 79.1% (646.900) are members of the Christian Greek Cypriot community and speak Greek. 10.7% belong to the Muslim Turkish Cypriot community and speak Turkish, and 10.2% are foreign workers and expatriates residing in Cyprus. English is widely spoken in Cyprus and regularly used.

HISTORY

Cyprus has a rich and varied history. Many invaders, settlers and immigrants have come here and the island has seen Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Lusignans, Genoese, Venetians, Ottomans, British and Turks. In July 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and since this 36.7% of the island, the so-called Northern Cyprus is occupied. Since 2004 Cyprus is a full member of the European Union.

 

GOVERNMENT
Cyprus is an independent sovereign Republic with a presidential system of government. Under the 1960 Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term of office.

LANGUAGES
Greek and Turkish are the official languages. English is widely spoken. French and German are also spoken within the tourism industry.

RELIGION

Cyprus has seen many empires and cultural influences over the centuries. While the majority of Cypriots are Greek orthodox Christian (85%), other religious faiths are represented on the island as well, including Armenians, Maronites, Roman Catholics and Muslims.

 

CLIMATE

Cyprus is the warmest island in the Mediterranean with more than 300 days of sunshine every year and mild winters. The mean daily temperature in July and August ranges between 29°C on the central plain to 22°C on the Troodos mountains. Climatic conditions in Cyprus can be termed as excellent from a health point of view. Therefore the climate is ideal for holiday travellers throughout the year.

 

FLORA & FAUNA

In Cyprus you can find about 1800 species of plants and beautiful wild flowers. The island is home for local and exotic birds, everywhere you can find lizards and Cyprus is known to host an endangered species, the moufflon.

CULTURAL LIFE / EVENTS
Cyprus is a country where the 20th century still rubs shoulders with history, where one may enjoy customs, festivals and religious fairs, whose origins stretch back into antiquity and at the same time enjoy performances of modern dance or theatres as all art forms continue to flourish on the island.

The visitor's participation in such events is warmly encouraged.
In Cyprus the following Public Holidays are celebrated:
January 1:    New Year's Day
January 6:    Epiphany Day
Variable:Green Monday (50 days before Greek Orthodox  Easter), 2000 - 13 of March, 2001 - 26 of February, 2002 - 18 of March, 2003 - 10 of  March.
March 25:     Greek National Day
April 1:        Greek Cypriot National Day
Variable:Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church). 2000-28 of April, 2001 - 13 of April, 2002 - 3 of May, 2003 - 25 of April
Variable:Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church).2000- 1 of May,2001-16 of April,  2002 - 6 of May, 2003 - 28 of April
May 1:         Labor Day
Variable:Pentecost-Kataklysmos (Festivalof the Flood). 2000 - 19 of June, 2001 - 4 of June, 2002 - 24 of June, 2003 - 16 of June
August 15:     Assumption
October 1:     Cyprus Independence Day
October 28:    Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
December 24:  Christmas Eve
December 25:  Christmas Day
December 26:  Boxing Day
Notes:
- All public services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on Public Holidays. In resort and coastal areas, however, shops and certain services remain open.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
There
is a big selection of taverns with friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Some may have traditional bouzouki live music and you are welcome to enjoy the traditional way of eating, drinking, singing and dancing. The nightlife on the island is suitable to every mood and age: romantic restaurants and cafes, trendy discos and modern nightclubs.

AIRPORTS
Visitors arriving in Cyprus by air, may enter the Republic only through the International Airports of Larnaca and Pafos. All airports in the part of Republic illegally occupied by the Turkish invasion forces, have been declared by the Government of Cyprus as prohibited ports of entry and exit, and no visitor should enter or leave the Republic through these ports. The Airport Tax is included in the airfare.

1. LARNACA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The airport is: 5 km from Larnaca town;
                       49 km from Nicosia;
                       70 km from Limassol;
                       46 km from Agia Napa;
                       139 km from Pafos.


2. PAFOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The airport is: 15 km east of Pafos town;
                       63 km from Limassol;
                       129 km from Larnaca;
                       50 km from Polis;
                      146 km from Nicosia.


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