Last updated on June 29th, 2020
39. A hairdresser, beautician, nail artist or MegaBet gambling office is easily accessible in the country.
40. Cyprus is known for its sunshine! It receives sunshine for more than 300 days during a year, which is nearly double the amount received in Britain.
41. Paphos is home to various rare species including the Careta Careta turtle that swims in the sea. Seasonally, it crosses the Mediterranean and comes offshore around August to lay eggs. These turtles are well-guarded in nesting areas and can lay about 80 eggs.
42. The Zenobi (The Zenobia Shipwreck), a ro-ro ferry that sunk in 1980, is one of the top dive attractions in the world today. On the decks, vending machines and carpets dominate. It is also home to tuna and barracuda.
43. The remains of the oldest known pet cat were found in Cyprus, buried with its master. Archeologists found the remains to be dating back about 9,500 years.
44. The blissful Church of Agios Kyprianos is believed to be a place where bad spirits are removed. Nestled at the center of Meniko, it has an impressive bell tower featuring ogive arches. But a number of renovations have been done to improve the original layout.
45. Any history buff should know the road to the Tombs of the Kings. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is located outside the city of Paphos. Even though no king has ever been buried here, there is so much to learn about high officials who reigned during the 4th Century or the Bronze Age.
46. One of the fantastic specialties Protaras offers is the halloumi or the wonder cheese which is widely regarded as a traditional Cypriot dish. Halloumi is a real deal with a mixture of Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. It is usually served fried, grilled, or cold. It hardly melts and a vegetarian option is available as well.
47. Lefkara village is reputed for its lace. In 1481, Leonardo Da Vinci, a veteran painter from Italy, visited the place to buy lace and since then the place entered the List of Intangible Culture Heritage by UNESCO.
48. Once covered by thick forest, Ayia Napa means wooded valley in ancient Greek. Today, it is a tourist spot that attracts many with white pristine beaches and buzzing nightlife.
49. During the spring season, fans of wildflowers head to northern Cyprus. At the Akamas Peninsula National Park, around the wooded and hillside areas, the rare species of orchids abound.
50. The Limassol Carnival is the liveliest event that happens from around mid-February through the first week of March in Limassol. It entails a series of festivities to celebrate food, wine, cultural dances, and drama. It is hailed as a cure for the cold climate for many visitors arriving from all corners of the world. Visitors claim that the event has a way of making them forget troubles and laugh with their hearts.
51. Fig Tree Bay, which is located in Paralimni town, Ammochostos, is one of the best Blue Flag beaches in Europe. Its glistering waters and fine golden sands have been declared the cleanest in entire Europe.
Cyprus – country at a glance
| Independence | 16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are recognized only by Turkey |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Nicosia (35°10′N 33°22′E) |
| Largest City | Nicosia (35°10′N 33°22′E) |
| Total area | 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) |
| Population | 1,266,676 (July 2020 est.) |
| Literacy rate | total population: 99.1% |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
| Official Language | Greek Turkish |
| Borders | No land borders. It is an island nation. |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Religion | Christianity and Islam |
| Demonym | Cypriot |
| Life expectancy at birth | 79.3 years (2020) Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life. |
| Government type | Republic of Cyprus - presidential democracy; Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (self-declared) - semi-presidential democracy |
| President | Nicos Anastasiades |
| Climate | temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters |
| Terrain | central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast |
| Mean elevation | 91 m |
| Lowest point | Mediterranean Sea 0 m |
| Highest point | Mount Olympus 1,951 m |
| Natural resources | copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment |
| Agricultural land | 13.4% |
| Birth rate | 10.9 births/1,000 population (2020 est.) |
| Death rate | 7 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.) |
| Sex ratio | 1.04 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| National symbols | Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove |
| National colors | Blue and white |
| Industries | tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone and clay products |
| Exports | $2.805 billion (2017 est.) citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing |
| Imports | $7.935 billion (2017 est.) consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, transport equipment |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $37,200 (2017 est.) |
| Time Zone | EET (UTC+2) Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) |
| Internet country code | .cy |
| Calling Code | +357 |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Table last updated | March 23, 2020 |