Fall in love with Aphrodite’s isle, where legend has it the goddess of love arose from the waves, and discover ancient UNESCO-listed sites, wonderful beaches and crystal clear waters. Although compact, this attractive island offers a rich variety of landscapes from pine-clad mountains to golden sandy beaches.
Many people think that Cyprus is a Greek island. It is however an independent state with an own culture and history.
The civil war of the early 70’s lead to the separation of the island in the Turkish- Cypriot part in the north, this state is internationally only recognised by turkey, and the Republic of Cyprus in the South. This Cypriot Republic is internationally recognised as an independent state and has been a member of European Union since 2004.
Cyprus is one of the safest countries in Europe. Crime rates are increasing a little bit, but are apart from the tourist areas hardly a problem.
Country Information
Location Europe, eastern Mediterranean.
Aria
9,251 sq km (3,572 sq miles).
Population 1,120,489 (July 2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.2% (male 93,280/female 88,022)
15-64 years: 73.4% (male 427,752/female 394,578)
65 years and over: 10.4% (male 50,761/female 66,096) (2011 est.)
Population Density 86 per sq km.
Capital name: Nicosia (Lefkosia)
geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Language A large part of the population however has a Greek background and (a dialect of) Greek is the official language of Cyprus. Most Cypriots though speak good English.The majority (approximately 80%) speaks Greek and approximately 11% speak Turkish. Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish
Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centers.
Religion Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%
Time GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.
Head of State President Dimitris Christofias since 2008.
Internet
Internet cafes are located in main towns and resorts, for instance, Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Agia Napa.
Media The Cypriot media reflects the island’s political divide, with the Turkish-controlled zone in the north operating its own press and broadcasters. State-run services compete with a large number of private TV and radio stations. Relays of Greek and Turkish stations are available across the island. Newspapers on both sides of the divide are frequently critical of the authorities.
Telephone
Country code: 357. Telecard or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada.
Post There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service within Europe takes three to four days.Post office hours: (District) Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.
Press
Al cultural and political developments on the island have had an impact on the present Cypriot culture. In the 19th century Cyprus was under British rule, which lasted till 1960, when they obtained independency. In the following years there was a revolt followed by a civil war that lead to the Island’s separation in 1974.
Economy Besides tourism, services an logistics are important aspects of the Cypriot economy. The strategic location of the island near Africa and the Middle East form a strategic base of operations for many business operations. This is reinforced by appealing fiscal climate of the republic.
Main tourist attractions are in Paphos, Agia Napa and Larnaca. Business life is mainly situated in the Capital Niscosia (locally Lefkosia) and Limasol (locally Lemesos).
Since the first of January of 2008 the euro is the official currency of Cyprus, replacing the Cypriot pound (exchange rate €1 = CYP 0,585274).
Official Holidays 2011 1 January - New Year’s Day6 January - Epiphany
7 March - Green Monday 25 March - Greek Independence Day 1 April - Greek Cypriot National Day
22 April - Greek Orthodox Good Friday
23 April - Easter
24 April - Easter
25 April - Greek Orthodox Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
12 June - Pentecost (Kataklysmos)
15 August - Assumption
1 October - Cyprus Independence Day
28 October - Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
25 December - Christmas
Culture Greetings
BACH TO THE CYPRUS INFORMATION
Many people think that Cyprus is a Greek island. It is however an independent state with an own culture and history.
The civil war of the early 70’s lead to the separation of the island in the Turkish- Cypriot part in the north, this state is internationally only recognised by turkey, and the Republic of Cyprus in the South. This Cypriot Republic is internationally recognised as an independent state and has been a member of European Union since 2004.
Cyprus is one of the safest countries in Europe. Crime rates are increasing a little bit, but are apart from the tourist areas hardly a problem.
Country Information
Location Europe, eastern Mediterranean.
Aria
9,251 sq km (3,572 sq miles).
Population 1,120,489 (July 2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.2% (male 93,280/female 88,022)
15-64 years: 73.4% (male 427,752/female 394,578)
65 years and over: 10.4% (male 50,761/female 66,096) (2011 est.)
Population Density 86 per sq km.
Capital name: Nicosia (Lefkosia)
geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Language A large part of the population however has a Greek background and (a dialect of) Greek is the official language of Cyprus. Most Cypriots though speak good English.The majority (approximately 80%) speaks Greek and approximately 11% speak Turkish. Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish
Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centers.
Religion Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%
Time GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.
Head of State President Dimitris Christofias since 2008.
Internet
Internet cafes are located in main towns and resorts, for instance, Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Agia Napa.
Media The Cypriot media reflects the island’s political divide, with the Turkish-controlled zone in the north operating its own press and broadcasters. State-run services compete with a large number of private TV and radio stations. Relays of Greek and Turkish stations are available across the island. Newspapers on both sides of the divide are frequently critical of the authorities.
Telephone
Country code: 357. Telecard or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada.
Post There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service within Europe takes three to four days.Post office hours: (District) Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.
Press
- Newspapers published in English include the Cyprus Financial Mirror, Cyprus Mail (daily), Cyprus Today (Turkish Cypriot) and Cyprus Weekly.
- Simirini is in Greek, while Kibris Gazette is in Turkish.
- Most English papers are available
- Radio 1 (in Greek), Radio 2 (in English, Turkish and Armenian), Radio 3 (in Greek) and Love Radio are operated by CyBC.
- Commercial stations include Radio Proto and Astra 92.8.
- Bayrak Radio-TV operates Bayrak Radio 1 (in Turkish), Bayrak International (in English), Bayrak FM and Bayrak Klasik.
- In addition, the CTO sponsors programs for tourists Mon-Sat on 603kHz (498m) and FM94.8.
Al cultural and political developments on the island have had an impact on the present Cypriot culture. In the 19th century Cyprus was under British rule, which lasted till 1960, when they obtained independency. In the following years there was a revolt followed by a civil war that lead to the Island’s separation in 1974.
Economy Besides tourism, services an logistics are important aspects of the Cypriot economy. The strategic location of the island near Africa and the Middle East form a strategic base of operations for many business operations. This is reinforced by appealing fiscal climate of the republic.
Main tourist attractions are in Paphos, Agia Napa and Larnaca. Business life is mainly situated in the Capital Niscosia (locally Lefkosia) and Limasol (locally Lemesos).
Since the first of January of 2008 the euro is the official currency of Cyprus, replacing the Cypriot pound (exchange rate €1 = CYP 0,585274).
Official Holidays 2011 1 January - New Year’s Day6 January - Epiphany
7 March - Green Monday 25 March - Greek Independence Day 1 April - Greek Cypriot National Day
22 April - Greek Orthodox Good Friday
23 April - Easter
24 April - Easter
25 April - Greek Orthodox Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
12 June - Pentecost (Kataklysmos)
15 August - Assumption
1 October - Cyprus Independence Day
28 October - Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
25 December - Christmas
Culture Greetings
- Men greeting Men – During initial meetings, men shake hands when greeting one another and maintain direct eye contact. A relatively firm handshake is the way to go. Hugs and light pats on the back and shoulder are common between good friends and family. Some men may engage in a kiss on each cheek depending on how well they know each other.
- Woman greeting Woman - A kiss on each cheek is common if two women know each other well. A light handshake is the norm if they are meeting for the first time.
- Man greeting Woman - At a first meeting a warm handshake will suffice and is sometimes combined with slight touches on the arms and/or elbows. Friends and family usually share a kiss on each cheek. Note: It is taboo for religiously observant men to touch women and vice-versa.
- Cypriots tend to be direct in their communication style, but very respectful.
- When paying a bill if you know the owner of a shop somewhat, it’s important to sit down with a cup of coffee and talk about the family (and extended family) first.
- Personal space is important and people normally don’t invade each other’s personal space. A little less than an arm’s length tends to be the norm. This distance becomes greater when interacting with strangers and less when interacting with friends and family
- Business conversations are usually conducted without crossing the personal space boundaries.
- It is best to limit touching during conversation unless you’re among close friends.
- Time is generally viewed in a relaxed sense. It is very common to be late in social situations without giving an explanation for it, or in some cases not showing up at all.
- Business situations generally call for punctuality.
- Being late tends to be the norm. It’s rare for anything to start on time, and people talk about ’ time’ meaning at least twenty minutes after the actual time scheduled.
- Buses tend to run approximately on time, but there are very few. People tend to give freely of their time.
- Is still somewhat patriarchal, so women are expected to do most of the housework and all the cooking and child-care as well as hold down jobs. Attitudes are slowly changing, however, with more equality for younger Cypriots
- When retired, many men go to coffee shops and play backgammon, while women continue cooking and cleaning.
- Ex-pat women are not usually held to the same standard as Cyprus.
- The "moutza", consists of extending all five fingers, palm out, towards a person in a forward motion. The closer the hand is to the other person’s face the more offensive it’s considered. Similar to the American "talk to hand" gesture.
- The legal drinking age is 18, and it is usually enforced. The smoking age is 18 as well, but not heavily enforced.
- Penalties for possession, acquisition, and trafficking of drugs are severe and include fines and mandatory lengthy imprisonment in local jails.
- Breaking traffic rules can result in losing your license.
- Children are allowed to drink with their families from a fairly young age, and lots of people smoke from about age 15.
- Food is an essential element of any and every social occasion in Cyprus.
- Cyprus meze (which means "mixture") consists of many small dishes with a little of everything that is available on the day in that taverna or restaurant. There is no better way to sample Cypriot cuisine than the meze, as you can literally enjoy the widest variety of local food in one sitting. A meze always includes a few Cypriot specialties, mainly halloumi cheese, produced by thyme-fed goats and a delicacy which can be obtained only on the island.
- Cypriot dishes are well seasoned, but not spicy, so there is no fear for visitors of stomach upsets.
- Although Cyprus is an island, the price of seafood is quite high as this part of the Mediterranean is not rich in fish, and many species have to be imported deep-frozen. Traditional Cypriot seafood dishes include small, deep-fried fish and cuttlefish rings.
- Coffee is Greek-style (short, strong and unfiltered).
- Cyprus produces excellent wines, spirits and beer which can only be bought in the south.
- The foothills of the Troodos Mountains are home to much of the best wine.
- Brandy sour is a cocktail made from Cyprus brandy, soda, lemon squash and angostura bitters.
- Commandaria is a sweet desert wine, dates back to ancient times.
- A service charge is added to all bills, but tipping is still acceptable and remains at the discretion of the individual.
BACH TO THE CYPRUS INFORMATION
