Destination Cyprus
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily and Sardinia, and is situated at the eastern end of the sea. The island has an area measuring 226 kilometers long and 98 kilometers wide. The mountains of Cyprus are covered with pine & cedar trees they were formed from volcanic & igneous rock. The highest, in the Troudos range, see snow fall which results in a short skiing season during January. The climate is one of long warm summer days with lots of rain free dry weather. Winters are short with rain mainly during January & February.
The Greek Cypriots comprise more than 85 percent of the population, the Turkish Cypriots make up 12 percent and foreign and EU residents the remaining amount. The languages spoken on the island are Greek, Turkish with most locals fluent in English. The legal system is based on the English system with most lawyers having been trained in the UK. The Euro is the national currency with the Cypriot pound becoming non-legal tender in February 2008.
Cyprus produces many foods including barley, grapefruits, grapes, lemons, olives, potatoes, olive oil & wine. The main mineral is copper which lends its name and importance into the countries name.
The main highways in Cyprus are well maintained and modern and thus the car is the favorite method of transport along with bus and taxi. There is no railway system on the island.
Tourism is, of course, extremely important to Cyprus. Visitors enjoy the islands long history and historic sites, its fantastic beaches and scenery and of course it’s year round climate. The sun shines well over 300 days per year making the island a desirable destination out of the normal European traditional holiday season.
The position of the island, close to Asia, Africa & Europe, has earned Cyprus the title of the "Crossroads of the World."
A Brief History of Cyprus
The earliest signs of life in Cyprus date back to the pre-Neolithic period, 10,000 to 8500 B.C. During the Bronze Age (2500 to 1050 B.C.), copper was extensively mined and a metal work industry developed on the island.
During the Late Bronze Age (1650 to 1050 B.C.), Myceneans (ancient Greeks) settled on the coasts of Cyprus bringing with them the Greek language, their religion and their customs. They constructed the new cities of Paphos, Salamis & Kition.
King Evagoras of Salamis, who ruled from 411 to 374 B.C., unified Cyprus and it became a leading political and cultural center of the Greek world. In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great defeats Persia and Cyprus became part of his empire. After his death Cyprus becomes part of the Greek Alexandrine world.The capital transferred from Salamis to Paphos.
In 358 B. C. Cyprus becomes part of the Roman Empire.
In 45 A.D., the Apostles Paul and Barnabas arrived in Cyprus to spread the Christian doctrine. Cyprus thereby became the first country to be governed by a Christian.
In 965 A.D., the Arabs were expelled from Asia Minor and neighbouring coastal areas by Byzantine Emperor, Nikiforos Focas, ending the raids.
Nicosia became the capital of Cyprus in the tenth century.
A period of rule by the Venetians began in 1489 that would continue until 1571. The Venetians used Cyprus as a fortified base against the Turks. Trade and culture languished under the heavy taxes imposed to pay for the fortifications. Even so, Turkey successfully attacked Cyprus, eventually gaining control of the island. Under Turkish rule, which lasted for 300 years (1571 to 1878), and the Greek Orthodox Church was re-established.
In 1925 Cyprus was declared a Crown colony.
In February 1959 Cyprus became an independent republic with a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice president. In 1960 Cyprus was proclaimed an independent state and became the 99th member-state of the United Nations. It became a member in the same year of the Commonwealth.
In 1963 the president of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, suggested amendments to the constitution, with which the Turkish Cypriot leaders disagreed. The Turkish leaders then set up Turkish military enclaves in Nicosia and other parts of the island, with the help of military personnel from Turkey.
This event marks the separation and division of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, although in many villages and towns the people of Cyprus continued to live together in peace and friendship. On 15 July 1974 the Greek military junta organized a coup against Archbishop Makarios. Turkey took the opportunity to invade Cyprus. On 20 July 1974 40,000 Turkish troops landed on the island.
Currently the Greek Cypriots occupy the southern two-thirds of the island and the Turkish Cypriots, with the aid of Turkish military and budgetary support, occupy the northern third. A United Nations peacekeeping force maintains a buffer zone between the two sectors.
Reunification talks continue and with the introduction of a very pro-unification president having been elected in 2008 there promises to be further developments to come. Access to northern Cyprus is available to both Cypriots and visitors either by foot or motor vehicle.
The Greek Cypriots comprise more than 85 percent of the population, the Turkish Cypriots make up 12 percent and foreign and EU residents the remaining amount. The languages spoken on the island are Greek, Turkish with most locals fluent in English. The legal system is based on the English system with most lawyers having been trained in the UK. The Euro is the national currency with the Cypriot pound becoming non-legal tender in February 2008.
Cyprus produces many foods including barley, grapefruits, grapes, lemons, olives, potatoes, olive oil & wine. The main mineral is copper which lends its name and importance into the countries name.
The main highways in Cyprus are well maintained and modern and thus the car is the favorite method of transport along with bus and taxi. There is no railway system on the island.
Tourism is, of course, extremely important to Cyprus. Visitors enjoy the islands long history and historic sites, its fantastic beaches and scenery and of course it’s year round climate. The sun shines well over 300 days per year making the island a desirable destination out of the normal European traditional holiday season.
The position of the island, close to Asia, Africa & Europe, has earned Cyprus the title of the "Crossroads of the World."
A Brief History of Cyprus
The earliest signs of life in Cyprus date back to the pre-Neolithic period, 10,000 to 8500 B.C. During the Bronze Age (2500 to 1050 B.C.), copper was extensively mined and a metal work industry developed on the island.
During the Late Bronze Age (1650 to 1050 B.C.), Myceneans (ancient Greeks) settled on the coasts of Cyprus bringing with them the Greek language, their religion and their customs. They constructed the new cities of Paphos, Salamis & Kition.
King Evagoras of Salamis, who ruled from 411 to 374 B.C., unified Cyprus and it became a leading political and cultural center of the Greek world. In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great defeats Persia and Cyprus became part of his empire. After his death Cyprus becomes part of the Greek Alexandrine world.The capital transferred from Salamis to Paphos.
In 358 B. C. Cyprus becomes part of the Roman Empire.
In 45 A.D., the Apostles Paul and Barnabas arrived in Cyprus to spread the Christian doctrine. Cyprus thereby became the first country to be governed by a Christian.
In 965 A.D., the Arabs were expelled from Asia Minor and neighbouring coastal areas by Byzantine Emperor, Nikiforos Focas, ending the raids.
Nicosia became the capital of Cyprus in the tenth century.
A period of rule by the Venetians began in 1489 that would continue until 1571. The Venetians used Cyprus as a fortified base against the Turks. Trade and culture languished under the heavy taxes imposed to pay for the fortifications. Even so, Turkey successfully attacked Cyprus, eventually gaining control of the island. Under Turkish rule, which lasted for 300 years (1571 to 1878), and the Greek Orthodox Church was re-established.
In 1925 Cyprus was declared a Crown colony.
In February 1959 Cyprus became an independent republic with a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice president. In 1960 Cyprus was proclaimed an independent state and became the 99th member-state of the United Nations. It became a member in the same year of the Commonwealth.
In 1963 the president of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, suggested amendments to the constitution, with which the Turkish Cypriot leaders disagreed. The Turkish leaders then set up Turkish military enclaves in Nicosia and other parts of the island, with the help of military personnel from Turkey.
This event marks the separation and division of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, although in many villages and towns the people of Cyprus continued to live together in peace and friendship. On 15 July 1974 the Greek military junta organized a coup against Archbishop Makarios. Turkey took the opportunity to invade Cyprus. On 20 July 1974 40,000 Turkish troops landed on the island.
Currently the Greek Cypriots occupy the southern two-thirds of the island and the Turkish Cypriots, with the aid of Turkish military and budgetary support, occupy the northern third. A United Nations peacekeeping force maintains a buffer zone between the two sectors.
Reunification talks continue and with the introduction of a very pro-unification president having been elected in 2008 there promises to be further developments to come. Access to northern Cyprus is available to both Cypriots and visitors either by foot or motor vehicle.
CyprusHomeandLiving
Providers Of Management & Maintenance Throughout Eastern Cyprus
Contact Us At: andy@cyprushomeandliving.com Telephone: 00357 97727127 / 00357 99169045