Tourism in Cyprus is one of the thriving industries and contributes a major share in the country's economy. Cyprus tourism blends the ancient and
the contemporary in the true sense. According to popular legend Cyprus is considered to be the birthplace of the female deity Aphrodite. Since ages Cyprus has been in the middle of several wars fought between the Egyptians, Persians, Assyrians and Mycenaean s. It was also colonized by the British at one point of time. However, the most significant confrontation in Cyprus has been the one between the Turks and the Greeks. All these conquerors have left their imprints on the land in the form of Crusader castles, tombs and monuments. Some of them, though existing in a dilapidated state, are of great cultural value. Moreover the topography of the island, mountains in the central part of the island and the surrounding coastline, all combine to make it a favorite destination among tourists from various parts of the world.
Modern day Cyprus carries forward the legacy of the ancient world along with carving out a niche of its own. It wonderfully combines mountains, vineyards, beaches, olive trees and remains of the earlier world.
