Information on Cyprus

INTRODUCTION

•  Full name: Republic of Cyprus

•  Capital City: Nicosia

•  Language: Greek (official), Turkish and English

•  Currency: Cyprus pound - CY£

•  Religion: Greek Orthodox, Christians, Muslim, Armenian Apostolic and Maronite.

•  National Anthem: Hymn to Freedom

•  Newspaper: Cyprus Mail, Financial Mirror, The Cyprus Weekly and others.

•  Places to Visit: Paphos Harbour & Castle, Larnaca Salt Lake & Hala Sultan Tekke, Cedar Valley, Panayia tou Araka, Choirokitia, Panayia tou Araka.

• Transport: Travel with the help of highways, sea, and by air only.

• Shopping: Handmade Lefkara lace, woven curtains, tablecloths, silks, basket work, pottery, silverware, wine, leather goods.

Get the feel of the European culture well blended with prehistoric enchantment as you visit the land of golden apple popularly known as Cyprus. From the mountain peaks to the ancient ruins, from the olive trees to the citrus groves, from the old stone villages to Byzantine churches, the place is bountiful with attractive treasures.

LOCATION OF CYPRUS

Cyprus is a Eurasian Island nestled within the eastern region of the Mediterranean Sea, lying towards the southern part of Anatolian peninsula known as Modern day Turkey.

PHYSICAL MAP OF CYPRUS

Considered as the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, this place is known for its physical divison. The place is seperated into six major districts namely Lefkosia (the capital city), Ammochostos, Keryneia, Larnaka, Lemesos, and Pafos.

Its areas are engulfed by the Green Line in United Nations especially from the south and acknowledged by Turkey from the neighboring country. Nestled in Asia Minor ( Anatolian peninsula) surrounded by Syria and Lebanon from the eastern end, Isreal from the southeast end, Egypt to the southern end and Greece to the west-north-western end apart from Turkey from the north, this place is worth visiting.

Cyprus is conceived as a transcontinental island and comes in close connection with Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa with major influences from the Greek and British end.

The place is encircled with mountains from all the end especially Kyrenia and Pentadactylos mountains to the northern front and the Troodos mountain range from the southern and western front scattered with central plain of Mesaoria towards the southern end.

CLIMATE OF CYPRUS

The climatic condition of Cyprus is temperate in nature while this Mediterranean island experiences sultry summers and chilly winters with slight amount of down pouring. This dry island witnesses rain from the months of November to March with heavy down pouring during December and February. Enjoy the spring season with mild weather blooming all over with beautiful flowers. One can even wish to ski in the snowy region of Troodos Mountains. The best time to visit the place is during the winter months of December, January, and February. It is during the month of May one can experience windy climate after which the temperature starts ascending.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF CYPRUS

Get assorted range of flora and fauna which is quite rich and varied:

The place is filled with 168 different species of birds, 12 diverse varieties of mammals and 20 different reptile species.

Watch out for sea turtles resting at the Lara Beach adjacent to the Akamas Peninsula. Catch up with moufflon, a mountain ram having broad sinuous horns that is cozily reserved in the Troodos.

Golden Oak is the National Tree of Cyprus. This evergreen shrub sets on the rock-strewn hilly sides especially in the forested region of Pafos, Troodos, Adelfoi and Machaeras. Its flower blossoms during the month of April to May and seasonally matures during November to December.

Cyclamen is the National Plant of the region. This heart shaped leafy plant grows in calcareous or igneous rocks adjacent to steep mountainside that blossoms during September to January.

Pink oleander is common ornamental plant found in abundance in this region. Whereas the dense area of Pafos is a habitat to pink wavy-leaved monkey orchids pleasantly situated here.

Griffon Vulture, Hirundelle, Golden Oriole, Pochard, and the Cyprus Pied Wheatear are some of the migratory birds that can be sighted here .

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