Cyprus is the Mediterranean third largest island with an area of 9,251 sq.km. Geographically it is located in Asia. Cyprus is in the north-eastern part of the Mediterranean, 380 km from Egypt, 105km from Syria and75km from Turkey.
Interesting facts about Cyprus:
- Cyprus is an island washed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
- You can see the southernmost point of the European Union in Cyprus, at Аkrotiri.
- The capital of the Republic of Cyprus, and partially recognised Turkish Republic of so called Northern Cyprus (the occupied territory) is Nicosia, the only divided capital in the world.
- Cyprus is a former British colony. Great Britain still owns about 3% of the island.
- Cyprus is a sparsely populated country. It’s third from the bottom of the list of European Union states by the number of people. At the bottom of the list is Luxemburg and Malta.
- There are up to 50,000 English-speaking inhabitants in Cyprus out of 200,000 foreigners living on the island. There are about 800,000 Cypriots living in Cyprus.
- Thanks to the legend saying that the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born from foam, Cyprus is also called the island of love and beauty.
- A disputable fact. One of the versions says that the name of the island was derived from the word ‘copper’ (cuprum). Another version says that it is derived from the name of the cypress tree, which is ubiquitous on the island.
- An undisputable fact. Cyprus is famous for the greatest number of sunny days in the Mediterranean area.
- Cyprus is one of the places with the healthiest climate.