Basic Information About Cyprus
CYPRUS UPDATE
Cyprus is an island located in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, close to Europe, Asia and Africa, a steppingstone to three continents. It is a country with superb natural beauty and has a remarkable variety of landscape and scenery. Its rugged coastline alternates between rocky shores, promontories and sandy bays while extensive plains, rolling hills and forest-clad mountains, scattered with picturesque villages, cover the island area. The pleasures of Cyprus come from its apparent simplicity - the straightforward physical charm of the island and the natural warmth of the people. Of course, one could not cover beauties of this renowned island of Love in a page!
Geography
Cyprus is situated in the north-eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, 33o east of Greenwich and 35o north of the Equator and has an area of 9,251 square kilometers, of which 1.733 are forested. The capital of the island is Nicosia (Lefkosia); 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 and it is Cyprus' main commercial port and an important tourist resort. Larnaca in the south east of island is the island's second commercial port and an important tourist resort. To the north of the town is located the island's oil refinery, while to the south is situated Larnaca's International Airport. Finally, Paphos in the southwest is a fast developing tourist resort; Home to the island's second International Airport and it has an attractive fishing harbour.
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 mid-November to mid-March are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. The coldest month is January with minimum and maximum temperatures of 6oC to 10oC, respectively, while in August, the hottest month, the corresponding minimum and maximum temperatures are 21oC and 36o C.
Land and crops
The coastline is indented and rocky in the north with long, sandy beaches in numerous coves in south. The north-ern coastal plain, covered with olive and carob trees, is backed by a steep, narrow mountain range of limestone, the Northern or Pentadaktylos Range,. In the southwest the extensive mountain of Troodos, covered with pine, dwarf oak cypress and cedar. Between the two ranges lies the fertile plain of Mesaoria to the east and the still more fertile irrigated basin of Morphou to the west. Cyprus has two salt lakes. The principle crops in the lowlands are cereals, vegetables, potatoes, and citrus. The olive tree grows everywhere, but flourishes particularly on the sea-facing slopes of the Troodos Mountains. Deciduous fruit trees are grown in the fertile mountain valleys.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
1.ROADS
The districts of Cyprus are connected by an efficient network of roads. Many of the dated singe lane roads have been replaced by new motorways complying with the International Motorway Standards. Road signs are marked both in Greek and English and make use of internationally accepted symbols.
2. PETROL STATIONS
All of the main towns and villages in Cyprus are well served by petrol stations which are open weekdays and on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays but most of them offer 24 hours service (this can be identified by 24 Hours displays) with easy to use Bank Notes Acceptors. So, in practice you can fill up your car any time of the day.
3. CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Euro (€) which is divided into 100 cents. Bank notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500.
4. TIME
Cyprus GMT +2. In summer-time clocks are put forward one hour.
5. ELECTRICITY
Electricity in Cyprus is 220/240 Volts AC 50 cycles, single phase for lighting and domestic requirements. Plugs are three-pin, U.K. standard.
6. DAILY MEDIA
Newspapers
There are two newspapers in Cyprus that are published in English: the "Cyprus Mail" that circulates daily and the "Cyprus Weekly" that is published every Friday. Most of the UK, German, Russian, etc. Newspapers can be found in the larger towns and the tourist areas, one day after publishing.
