Cyprus

Location
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia with an area of 9,251 sq. kilometres of which 1,733 are forested. It has a maximum length of 240 kms from east to west and a maximum width of 100 kms from north to south.

It is situated at the north-eastern end of the East Mediterranean basin at a distance of 380 kms north of Egypt, 105 kms west of Syria and 75kms south of Turkey. The Greek mainland is some 800 kms to the west. The nearest Greek islands are Rhodes and Carpathos, 380 kms to the west.

The latitude of Cyprus is 34 33’ - 35 34’ north and its longitude 32 16’ - 34 37’ east.

Climate
Cyprus has an intense Mediterranean climate with the typical seasonal rhythm strongly marked in respect of temperature, rainfall and weather generally. Hot, dry summers from mid-May to mid-September and rainy, rather changeable winters from November to mid-March are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.

Temperatures are high in summer and the mean daily temperature in July and August ranges between 29 C on the central plain to 22 C on the Troodos mountains, while the average maximum temperature for these months ranges between 36 C and 27 C respectively. Winters are mild with a mean January temperature of 10 C on the central plain and 3 C on the higher parts of the Troodos mountains and with an average minimum temperature of 5 C and 0 C respectively.

Towns and Population
The population of Cyprus is 793.100 of whom 80,7% are Greek Cypriots (including Armenians, Maronites and Latins), 87,600 (11,0%) are Turkish Cypriots and 66,000 (8,3%) foreigners residing in Cyprus.

The capital of the island is Nicosia with a population of 206.200 (end of 2001) in the sector controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. It is situated roughly in the centre of the island and is the seat of government as well as the main business centre.

The second largest town is Limassol in the south, which has around 161.200 (end of 2001) inhabitants. It is Cyprus' main commercial port and an important tourist resort.

Larnaca, in the south-east of the island, has a population of 72.000 (end of 2001) and is the island's second commercial port and an important tourist resort.

Paphos in the south-west with a population of about 47.300 (end of 2001) is a fast developing tourist resort, home to the island's second International Airport and an attractive fishing harbour.

Political System
Cyprus is a Republic with a presidential system of government.
Under the 1960 Constitution, executive power is vested in the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term of office. The President exercises executive power through the Council of Ministers and the Government Spokesman appointed by him.
Each Minister is the head of his Ministry and exercises executive power of all subjects within that Ministry's domain.

Travel Information
Formalities:
- valid passports
- For visitors from E.U. member-states, identity card is also accepted.

Preparation for the trip
Permanent Information in the following Tourist Offices:

• UNITED KINGDOM
  Cyprus Tourist Office,
  213, Regent street,
  London W1, R8-DA
  Tel: 071-7349822,
  Telex:LDN 263068 CYTOUR G
  Telefax: 2876534
  
• UNITED STATES
  Cyprus Tourism Organisation
  13, East 40th str., New York 10016
  Tel: (212)6835280
  Telex: 6976459 CTO UW
  Telefax: (212) 6835282
  
• SWEDEN
  Cypriotiska Statens Turistbyra
  Vasagatan 11, S-III-20 Stockholm,
  Tel: 08/115578, Telex: 15718 CYPERN S,
  Telefax: 106414

Exchange:
Cyprus Pound (CYP) £ 1 = 1,1 English Pound
                                     = 1,7 American Dollar
                                     = 1,75 Euro
All major international credit cards are accepted (Amex, Visa, Master-Card).

Difference of time: (from London) + 2 hours throughout the year

Transportation: on the island of Cyprus there is no railway and in public transportation are rare and not very reliable (with the exception of specific bus lines connecting cities and villages on regular itineraries). The most commonly used means of transportation is shared taxi: affordable, air-conditioned and pleasant. Also, one could easily rent a car, a scooter or even a bicycle. European driving license is accepted.

IMPORTANT:  In Cyprus like in the U.K, people drive on the left side!

Languages: Greek and Turkish are the official languages of Cyprus but English is widely spoken by almost every one, since it remains the language of commerce!