Cyprus

Cyprus is an island situated in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea, at the meeting point of Europe, Asia and Africa. This strategic position has played an important role in the development of Cyprus into a centre for international business and tourism. Paphos is a mature and well-established area and has been popular with British holidaymakers for years. The city of Paphos on the southwest coast of Cyprus was the capital of the island in Roman times, and dates from 1400 BC.

It has been written in Greek mythology that the area of Paphos is where the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite rose from the waves at the spot marked by 'Aphrodite's Rock'. Paphos played an important role in the times of early Christianity and there are many historical connections. With this historic and archaeological wealth, parts of Paphos have been declared as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Cyprus is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the Council of Europe and has joined the European Union - May 2004. Cyprus has the best economy amongst the countries to join the E.U. in May 2004.

Apart from the strategic location of the island and the excellent telecommunications and easy access by air and sea, Cyprus provides the following additional attractions to foreign investors:-

Location

Cyprus, republic, and third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located west of Syria and south of Turkey. The island has a maximum length of about 225 km (140 miles) from Cape Andreas in the north-east to the western extremity of the island. Its maximum width, from Cape Gata in the south to Cape Kormakiti in the north, is about 97 km (60 miles). The total area of the country is 9,251 sq km (3,572 sq mi). Nicosia is the capital and largest city.

Climate

Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate, with summers that are hot and dry and a cool, rainy season that extends from October to March. This mean annual temperature is 20.6° C (69° F). The annual rainfall averages less than 500 mm (20 in).

Population

Greek-speaking Cypriots make up about 80 per cent of the population, and the remainder is made up of European, Turkish extraction, Armenians and other ethnic groups. The Greek community has retained its way of life, and customs to a great extent.

Population characteristics

The combined population of approximately 950,000 and the overall population density is about 82 per sq km.

Religions

Members of the Greek community adhere to the Church of Cyprus, which is in doctrinal agreement with the Eastern Orthodox Church, but is independent and has no allegiance to any patriarch. The archbishop primate is bishop of Nicosia. The Turkish minority is mostly Muslim. Other small religious groups include Maronites (Christian Arabs), Roman Catholics, and Jews.

Languages

Greek, English and Turkish are the predominant languages taught in schools and used in broadcasting. English is widely spoken in the main towns and cities. Cypriot Greek, although related to the language of the Greek mainland, is a dialect believed by language scholars to resemble more closely the speech of ancient Greece.

Government type

Greek Cypriot Government is democratically elected

International Organisations

Cyprus is a member of the UN, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Council of Europe. In May 2004 Cyprus joined the European Union

Communications

Satellite communication systems and digital television are widely used, receiving both Greek and English language programmes.

Legal system

A Supreme Court heads the legal system in Cyprus. Lesser tribunals include assize courts and district courts.

Economy

Cyprus had a gross national product in 1999 (World Bank estimate) of about US$ 9,086 million, this is equivalent to about US$ 11,950 per capita.

Tourism in Cyprus

With over 3 million people visiting the Island of Aphrodite each year, Cyprus is one of the world's favourite holiday destinations - Key facts about tourism in Cyprus.

• Major tourist destination with +3.5 Million tourists per annum
• A Growing European population
• English-based legal and education system
• Strong, stable currency
• Democratically elected government in the world
• Former British colony, so familiar 'feel' for UK visitors
• Charming, polite, sociable people.
• Superb climate and food
• English universally spoken and understood
• Property laws similar to UK model
• Banking system with strong UK links
• Low cost of living with low inflation and attractive finance rates

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