Cyprus: population, climate, area

Cyprus today is one of the most beautiful and most popular places on the Mediterranean. The mild climate and charming nature give rest here a special attraction. The main beauty of Cyprus is the sea, the blue sky, golden beaches and centuries-old sights. And what else could be needed for a perfect pastime ?!

general information

Relating to the continent Asia Cyprus is the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is not entirely calm. This is due to the fact that Cyprus since 1974 due to the invasion of Turkey is divided into 2 parts - the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Each of the parts of the island is separated by a buffer zone, controlled by the UN. The capital of both Republics is located in the city of Nicosia.

Cyprus: population

The total population of Cyprus is just over one million people, of which 80% live in the Republic of Cyprus and 20% in Northern Cyprus.

On the island of Cyprus, the population is mixed. This is due to the division of the island and the attractiveness of moving here. Population of Cyprus (nationality): over 90% of the local - Greek Cypriots, the rest of the population - it's the British, Russian and Armenians. In the northern part of the island of Cyprus, the population was divided into Turkish Cypriots, Turks and some others. The official languages on the island are Greek and Turkish. In the Republic of Cyprus, the population speaks excellent English.

How to get there

Most tourists and visitors fly to the island by plane. In Cyprus, there are two international airports located in the cities of Larnaca and Paphos.

The airport of the Turkish part of Cyprus is called Ercan. It is not recognized international. Despite this, it takes some flights from abroad.

You can also sail to Cyprus by ferry. In particular, the island has a ferry connection with the Greek city-port Piraeus, with the islands of Crete and Rhodes, with the Egyptian Port Said, Israeli Haifa and Ankokna in Italy. The main port of the Republic of Cyprus is in the city of Limassol, from where ferries, merchant ships and cruise ships depart.

Climatic and weather conditions

The climate here is subtropical with quite hot and dry summers, warm and mild in winter. Even in winter, snow can be found only in the mountains.

In Cyprus, it is best to come in high season - in the summer or in September, when the strong summer heat passed, but the sea is still warm. The most pleasant summer weather is in the coastal areas of the island.

Cities

Ayia Napa is a young and cheerful resort with a vibrant nightlife. Beautiful beaches here provide the best sandy beaches of Cyprus, the gentle sea and the local water park.

Larnaca is the 3rd largest city on the island. It is quite a famous and popular Mediterranean resort.

Limassol is the business capital of Cyprus with the main commercial port and a lot of office space for large world companies.

Paphos is one of the most ancient cities in Cyprus. It has many attractions.

Protaras is a young and developing resort located in the south-eastern part of the island. The city is calm and crowded.

Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus, located in the center of the island.

Kyrenia is an old city in the north of the island, part of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The city loves tourists with its many beaches and interesting sights.

Facilitates the life of tourists the lack of a language barrier on the island of Cyprus. The language of the inhabitants of the island is Greek and Turkish, but many speak fluent English.

sights

At one time, Cyprus was the center of many historical achievements, and the territory of the island was not developed by one civilization, which gave rise to thousands of archaeological tracks on the map of the island. It is a question of a great number of architectural structures of different times and other historical artifacts located in Cypriot museums or churches.

Throughout the island there are a lot of historical monuments that attract the attention of many tourists.

In Cyprus, you can find the remains of settlements since the Stone Age - these are the Roman theaters, Byzantine churches, monasteries, castles of the Crusaders, and much, much more. All this wealth determines the unique atmosphere of the island, where beauty and peace, ancient culture and modernity were united.

Traveling around the country

Cyprus is a fairly small island, so some types of transport are not present here. So, the railway communication was stopped in the last century.

The bus service here is not very developed.

A rather developed taxi system acts as a substitute for it. In Cyprus, there are 3 types of taxi: intercity, intercity and rural.

The car can be rented by persons with international driving licenses, aged from 25 to 70 years, with a driving experience of 3 years. In some private firms, less serious rental conditions can be found.

Kitchen

Local cuisine is a perfect example of the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean. From the Greek and Turkish cuisines here came the custom of cooking grilled food or in the form of thick soups and soup. But, unlike Turkish cuisine, local food is less acute. Influenced on Cyprus and Italian cuisine, from which came such ingredients for cooking, like mint, cinnamon, basil, coriander, arugula. Also in Cyprus, curry and ginger are used. In general, it is possible to single out the dominant oriental influence, this consists in the presence of sweet dishes with a lot of spices and oils in them.

Often, fresh vegetables and fruits are eaten here. Meat dishes in Cyprus are very popular with local people.

The most common dish here is meze, it can be found in every restaurant on the island. Meze is an assortment of different cold and hot snacks. The best way to get acquainted with the Cypriot cuisine than the meze is not. As a garnish in Cyprus, usually eat rice, pasta and legumes.

For dessert, they usually use baklava or lukum. The most popular drink in Cyprus is wine. For those who like stronger drinks, there is "Zivaniya" - village grape vodka. Also Cypriots love coffee very much.

Prices in Cyprus in restaurants are slightly lower than European ones. The cost of breakfast for one person from 5 euros, lunch or dinner from 10 euros.

Purchases

The main purchases and souvenirs from Cyprus are usually items and products, traditionally part of the unique culture of this island. These include jewelry, local wines, olive oil and folk crafts. Also it is worth buying local leather goods - bags, purses, wallets, shoes and outerwear. Prices in Cyprus for high quality leather goods can be called democratic. For example, the cost of leather belt from 10 euros, bags from 35 euros.

Well, the absence of a language barrier on the island of Cyprus (the language of the inhabitants we already mentioned) will help make an excellent purchase.

Holidays

In small villages, many ancient customs and rituals have been preserved, especially those observed in the days of Christmas, New Year, Easter. For the Orthodox Church of Greece, Easter is the most important holiday of the year.

Also, the inhabitants of Cyprus celebrate many national holidays, local or seasonal. The Wine Festival in Limassol is very popular here, held annually in September. It goes on for several days and includes tasting of local wines, concerts and theater performances, competitions of singers and dancers.

Local customs and customs

The population of the island for many centuries includes Cypriots from Greece and Turkey. The cultures of these peoples differ and still retain their characteristics in the way of life and religious views. Cypriots of Greek origin are heirs of Greek culture, but because of the long stay under English patronage they adopted some features of life peculiar to Europeans. On the island, left-hand traffic, and English is almost the second language for the country and the first in professional-business relations. Cypriots of Greek origin profess Orthodoxy (in the north, in the Turkish part of the island, Islam dominates).

There are no strong restrictions for tourists in the country. When visiting the existing religious sites, churches and monasteries, attention should be paid to the form of clothing. Women in such places are recommended to wear long skirts, clothes that cover their shoulders, and men should wear trousers.

In summer, local residents go to the "siesta" - an afternoon rest from 13:00 to 16:00. On Wednesdays and Saturdays all shops are open until lunchtime.

Conclusion

This island is truly one of the best places for an unforgettable holiday. The sun, Cyprus, the sea, golden beaches - these words will forever be associated with memories of paradise rest on this wonderful island.