Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, and a popular tourist destination among Swedes. Geographically, Cyprus is located in Asia, but is considered part of Europe for cultural and political reasons.
| Capital: | Nicosia |
| Biggest city: | Nicosia |
| State: | republic within the EU (in 1983 the Turkish Cypriots declared the internationally unrecognized Northern Cyprus which is not a member of the EU) |
| Language: | Greek, Turkish |
| Religion: | orthodox christianity, islam |
| Surface: | 9,250 km² |
| Population: | 1.1 million (2013) |
| Population density: | 117 residents per km² |
| Life expectancy: | 78 years |
| Illiteracy: | 2% |
| Currency: | euro (EUR) 1 euro = 9.76 kr |
| GDP per capita: | $ 27,700 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +1 hour |
| Electricity: | 240 V AC, 50 Hz |
| National Day: | October 1 (for the Turkish Cypriots November 15) |
| Country area code: | 357 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | CY (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Business: | service sector 67%, industry 19%, agriculture 14% |
| Climate: | temperate; cold, humid winters and hot, dry summers |
Cyprus is slightly smaller in area than Östergötland, and has a Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year. Here are both wide beaches and remnants of previous cultures. Traces of Cyprus’ past, such as Roman excavations, mosaics, aphrodite sculptures and medieval churches can be seen everywhere on the island.
Formally, Cyprus is only one state, but in practice – since the Turkish invasion in 1974 – it is a divided country. A Turkish Cypriot part in the north, and a Greek Cypriot part in the south. The border between them, which also divides the capital Nicosia into two parts, is monitored by UN troops. In addition, there are two British air bases, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, on the island. These do not belong to Cyprus, but are part of the United Kingdom.
Tourism is mainly found in the Greek Cypriot part. The Turkish Cypriot part has its own government, but is not recognized as an independent state by any country other than Turkey. The Turkish Cypriot part is also not a member of the EU, as the Greek Cypriot part has been since 2004.
The economic gap between the two parts has continued to widen over the years. The standard of living today is much higher in the Greek Cypriot part than in the Turkish Cypriot part.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Cyprus are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Paphos, the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite (1980)
- Churches with murals in the Troodos region (1985)
- Choirokoitia Archaeological Site (1998)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Cyprus
Voltage: 240 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: G
Need an adapter: Yes, Swedes need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Nicosia
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average temperature °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
| Day °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 21 | 17 |
| Night °C | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 8 |
| Rain (mm) | 67 | 67 | 43 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 38 | 93 |
| Rainy days | 14 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 15 |
| Soltim / day | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 |
Larnaca
Larnaca is Cyprus’ third largest city with about 77,000 residents and is located on the southeast coast. The city is home to an international airport and Larnaca is one of Cyprus’ most important ports for import and export.
Large parts of the most modern buildings in Larnaca are built on the ruins of antiquity so it is difficult to know exactly when people started living there. It is known, however, that the city was ruled by the kingdom of Kition. The name comes from Noah’s grandson named Kittim and it became Kition. The kingdom of Kition became an important trading port during Roman times but also during the beginning of the Byzantine period, but the city was plundered by the Arabs in the 6th century.
After that, not much is known about Larnaca until the 14th century when they switched from Kition to Salina. That name was given to it by the salt lake that still exists today, however, it is almost completely dry during the warmest months.
After the division of the country in 1974, a new airport had to be built in haste as a replacement for the one in the capital Nicosia. The former came to be located in the so-called “no man’s land” and neither side now has access to it. The UN is the only one using it today. When there was a hurry, a completely new airport was built in just 40 days. That is why it is now called the “40-day airport”.
Nicosia
According to Countryaah, Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and is located on the river Pedieos. Nicosia is the economic, political and cultural center of Cyprus and has about 200,700 residents.
The city is located in the middle of the island and is divided into a Greek-Cypriot part and a Turkish-Cypriot part. The border is called The green line, the green line, after the line drawn on the map when the United Nations Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was called in to prevent civil war between the rival groups.
Nicosia has not had its own international airport since the Turkish invasion in 1974, but Cyprus’ short distance means that Nicosia mainly uses Larnaca’s airport.