Blog About Ciprus

In 1960 Cyprus became independent of Britain (it had been a crown colony since 1925) as the Republic of Cyprus. The long-standing conflict between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority and an invasion of the island by Turkish troops in 1974 produced an actual—although internationally unrecognized—partition of the island and led to the establishment in 1975 of a de facto Turkish Cypriot state in the northern third of the country. The Turkish Cypriot state made a unilateral declaration of independence in 1983 and adopted the name Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Its independence was recognized only by Turkey.

Old Paphos, Cyprus: Petra tou Romiou
Old Paphos, Cyprus: Petra tou Romiou
Petra tou Romiou, the legendary site of Aphrodite's emergence from the sea, near Old Paphos, Cyprus.
© Berlitz—CLICK/Chicago

Land
Cyprus lies about 40 miles (65 km) south of Turkey, 60 miles (100 km) west of Syria, and 480 miles (770 km) southeast of mainland Greece. Its maximum length, from Cape Arnauti in the west to Cape Apostolos Andreas at the end of the northeastern peninsula, is 140 miles (225 km); the maximum north-south extent is 60 miles (100 km). It is the third largest Mediterranean island, after Sicily and Sardinia.

Physical features of Cyprus
Physical features of Cyprus
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Relief
The rugged island of Cyprus resembles a saucepan, with the handle extending northeastward from the main part. The general pattern of its roughly 400-mile (640-km) coastline is indented and rocky, with long, sandy beaches. The Kyrenia Mountains—the western portion of which is also known as the Pentadaktylos for its five-fingered peak—extend for 100 miles (160 km) parallel to and just inland from the northern coast. It is the southernmost range of the great Alpine-Himalayan chain in the eastern Mediterranean; like much of that extensive mountain belt, it is formed largely of deformed masses of Mesozoic limestone.

The Troodos Mountains in the south and southwest are of great interest to geologists, who have concluded that the range, made up of igneous rock, was formed from molten rock beneath the deep ocean (Tethys) that once separated the continents of Eurasia and Afro-Arabia. The range stretches eastward about 50 miles (80 km) from near the island’s west coast to the 2,260-foot (689-metre) Stavrovouni peak, about 12 miles (19 km) from the southeastern coast. The range’s summit, Mount Olympus (also called Mount Troodos), reaches an elevation of 6,401 feet (1,951 metres) and is the island’s highest point.

15. Cyprus is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean.

16. The world’s oldest wine label belongs to Cyprus. Yes, you heard it right! “Commandaria” is recognized as the world’s oldest named wine dating back 5000 years.

17. Cyprus is the only foreign venue at which an English Royal Wedding has been hosted. The wedding happened between King Richard and Queen Joanna on May 12, 1191.

18. There is a tree in Cyprus known to fulfill wishes. This tree at the entrance to the Christian catacombs in Paphos is adorned with handkerchiefs and ribbons. People believe that infertile women will bear children and people will return to their loved ones when something that belonged to them is tied to the tree along with a belief that good will happen.

View of the town of Paphos in Cyprus. Paphos is known as the center of ancient history and culture of the island. It is very popular as a center for festivals and other annual events.
Interesting facts about Cyprus: view of the town of Paphos in Cyprus. Paphos is known as the center of ancient history and culture of the island. It is very popular as a center for festivals and other annual events.

19. Would you believe that a whole town in Cyprus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The name of this town is Paphos. There are a total of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, including the town of Paphos.

20. The capital city of Cyprus—Nicosia—is divided by “The Green Line.” This line is also known as the UN buffer zone. It is the only capital in the world that is divided between two nations – the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The historic city lined with beautiful landmarks has a border zone at the point of division. The wall is a symbol of crises that separates the two nations.

51 Interesting Facts About Cyprus
By Editorial Staff
Last updated on June 29th, 2020

Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean. It has an area of 9,251 square km. Nicosia is its capital and largest city. Greek and Turkish are its official languages. Its official currency is Euro (EUR). It has no land bordering countries. The natives or inhabitants of this region are called Cypriot. With these 51 interesting facts about Cyprus, let’s try to learn more about it!

1. Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

2. Cyprus is the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean.

3. Some of the world’s oldest water wells can be found in Cyprus. The stone-age wells that were discovered in Kissonerga, Paphos have been studied and it is purported that they have been around for about 10,500 years. They represent the sophistication of Neolithic period setlers.

4. The largest bank in Cyprus is owned by the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The church also plays a significant role in the social and political life of the island’s people.

5. Alexander the Great seized the island from the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians in 333 BC.

6. Cyprus became independent from the British in 1960, on August 16th. However, they celebrate their independence day on the 1st of October every year.

7. Legend has it that the Greek goddess of love–Aphrodite–was born in Cyprus. The country is also known as the playground of the Gods. Aphrodite is said to have emerged from a rock at Latchi (now called Aphrodite’s beach) in Poli Crysochous. As the ocean waves crush over this rock, they form pillars of foam that resemble the goddess of love.

8. The island nation had seen its golden era during the Copper and Bronze Ages. At that time, the country was among the wealthiest of nations.

Cyprus, Greek Kípros, Turkish Kıbrıs, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty.

Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Limassol, Cyprus: Sanctuary of Apollo Hylate
Limassol, Cyprus: Sanctuary of Apollo Hylate
Ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylate near Limassol, Cyprus.
© karnizz/iStock.com
A “golden-green leaf thrown into the Sea” and a land of “wild weather and volcanoes,” in the words of the Greek Cypriot poet Leonidas Malenis, Cyprus comprises tall mountains, fertile valleys, and wide beaches. Settled for more than 10 millennia, Cyprus stands at a cultural, linguistic, and historic crossroads between Europe and Asia. Its chief cities—the capital of Nicosia, Limassol, Famagusta, and Paphos—have absorbed the influences of generations of conquerors, pilgrims, and travelers and have an air that is both cosmopolitan and provincial. Today Cyprus is a popular tourist destination for visitors from Europe, favoured by honeymooners (as befits the legendary home of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love), bird-watchers drawn by the island’s diversity of migratory species, and other vacationers.

Cyprus, Greek Kípros, Turkish Kıbrıs, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty.