CYPRUS

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is situated at the northeastern end of the east Mediterranean basin at a distance of 380km north of Egypt, 105km west of Syria and 75km south of Turkey. Cyprus location map The Greek mainland is some 800km to the west and the nearest Greek islands are Rhodes and Carpathos 380km to the west. Cyprus has a population of approximately 750000. (82% Greek Cypriots and 18% Turkish Cypriots).
The Republic of Cyprus gained its independence from Britain in 1960. It is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth as well as the Non-Aligned Movement.Britain retains in the island two Sovereign Bases, at Dhekelia and Akrotiri-Episkopi.
The 1960 Constitution of the Cyprus Republic proves unworkable in many of its provisions, and this made impossible its smooth implementation. When in 1963, the President of the Republic proposed some amendments to facilitate the functioning of the state, the Turkish community responded with rebellion (Dec. 1963), the Turkish ministers withdrew from the Cabinet and the Turkish civil servants ceased attending their offices while Turkey threatened to invade Cyprus. Ever since then, the aim of the Turkish Cypriot leadership, acting on instructions from the Turkish Government, has been the partitioning of Cyprus and annexation by Turkey.
In 1974 the junta which then ruled Greece staged an abortive coup against the president Archbishop Makarios and Turkey launched an invasion "to restore constitutional order". Twenty five years on, 38% of the island still remains under the invaders' occupation in defiance of United Nations Resolutions of unequivocal substance. And the Cyprus Problem has become a major dispute in the sensitive Middle East.

CYPRUS AT A GLANCE

Cyprus is an island of almost infinite variety; 2,200 square miles still remain under government control and in this area can be found superb mountain scenery, forests, fascinating coastlines and beaches as well as places of great historical and archaeological importance. It is certainly well worth spending some time exploring.
A trip into the mountains will provide a refreshing change from the heat of the beaches, with delightfully fresh air, cool nights scented with the aroma of pine trees and wild herbs. The fruit blossom in the fertile valleys has to be seen to be believed, cherry, apple, pear, plum, and almond. The mountains are dotted with picturesque little villages where true Cypriot hospitality abounds, where the donkey is a cherished beast of burden and where the nectarean village wine, untouched by chemical or mechanical methods, can be sampled.
Tennis, walking, horseriding and skiing in winter are among the activities to be enjoyed in the hill resorts. The larger hotels have swimming pools and some are open all the year round with full central heating and air conditioning.
The western end of the island is now coming more into its own for tourist activity with Pafos as the centre, a town with an old-world atmosphere, which will be retained for a long to come.
About half way between Limassol and Pafos, 2 miles off the main road are two very attractive beaches, Evdhimou and Pissouri. The detour is well worthwhile for the swimming is excellent.
The hinterland rises gradually to the Troodos mountains through vast areas of vines and magnificent forest beyond. The scenery is superb and a drive through this area is an unforgettable experience. On the north coast lies the small town of Polis and a few miles west, the little fishing harbour of Latchi. At the harbour restaurants you can sample some of the island's excellent fish.
Beyond Latchi is a superb beach completely unspoilt. Further west is the place where Aphrodite used to take her bath, Fontana Amorosa, a perennial bubbling spring.
The southeast corner region, which proves the almost unlimited versatility of Cyprus, the focal point, being the little village of Ayia Napa with its historic monastery and fascinating little fishing harbour. Along the coast runs a very fertile strip with distinctive red soil, which produces 70% of Cyprus', potatoes and the season's first tomatoes and cucumbers. Eastward, the bulk of Cape Greco dominates the scene, but rounding it, there are numerous enchanting bays, beaches and cafes.
Apart from sightseeing, most visitors will want to enjoy the sea and the beaches; every facility for water sport of all kinds is available - skiing, skin diving, sailing, cruising, windsurfing etc. But if it is just swimming and sunbathing, the island's coast is indented with numerous secluded coves where you can have a "beach to yourself".

Aphrodite was born in Cyprus, well not born excactly because as the story goes, she was foam born Her father in a manner of speaking was Uranus (Father heaven)In fact her conception was caused by her half brother Cronos (Time?) He was a son of Uranus and Gaea (Mother Earth) and at his mothers instigation had castrated his father with a sickle. The resultant blood that dripped from his severed organ ( as it was carried of on the shoulder of Cronos) created a race of giants, the nymphs and the furies, as they landed in the sea, white foam was created from the friction of water and flesh. This foam formed the shape of a beautiful woman when it came to the island of Cyprus. She has also been called "Godess of love" "Cytherea," " Cypris," " Cypria," and "the Cypriate".
Petra tou Romiou is the rock where she emerged from the foam, and you can visit it between Limassol and Paphos.
Petra(stone) tou Romiou

HISTORICAL SURVEY

Our tiny island has a turbulent history, here is a brief outline of the main events.

5800-3000 BC

Neolithic Age. Remains of the oldest known settlement in Cyprus dating from this period can be seen at Khirokitia between Nicosia and Limassol

3000-1000 BC

Copper discovered;flourishing export trade built up with the Near East and the Aegean.Wealth and culture of Cyprus attracted trade from the Achaeans who finally settled in Cyprus and Hellenised the island.

700-350 BC

Succession of invasions by Assyrians, Egyptians,Persians: Cyprus liberated from the latter by King Evagoras, although he had to yield to them later.

333 BC

Alexander the Great destroyed the might of Persia and took Cyprus under his mantle.

323 BC

Alexander the Great died;Cyprus ruled by Viceroys of Ptolemy I of Egypt and his successors. Capital transferred from Salamis to Pafos.

58 BC

Roman invasion;Cyprus administered by Cicero but later given by Julios Caesar to Ptolemy and Arsinoe of Egypt and then by Anthony to Cleopatra.

22 BC

Government effected by a Proconsul who was directly responsible to Rome.

45 AD

Apostles Paul and Barnabas arrived in Cyprus to spread the Christian doctrine and succeeded in converting the Proconsul, Sergius Paulus, to christianity at Pafos. Cyprus then became the first country to be governed by a Christian.

116

A general revolt by the Jews against Roman power and the spread of Christianity included Cyprus where thousands of Cypriots and Jews were killed. As a result further settlement of Jews in Cyprus was forbidden.

395

After the partiotion of the Roman Empire between the two sons of Emperor Theodosius, Cyprus came under the Byzantine Empire with its Capital in Constantinople.

488

Patriarch of Antioch tried to bring the Church of Cyprus under his control. Archbishop Anthemios of Cyprus, inspired by a dream, found the tomb of St.Barnabas with a copy of St.Mathew's gospel which he showed to Emperor Zenon. The Emperor accepted this as the status of the Church of Cyprus and granted the Archbishop privileges of holding a sceptre instead of a pastoral staff, wearing a purple mantle and using red ink for his signature;privileges which are enjoyed today by His Beautitude the Archbishop.

7^th-10^th CENTURIES

Chiefly notable for continuous rab raids on the island during which great destruction was caused, especially to churches and ecclesiatic art. Castles of Kyrenia and Saranta Kolones at Pafos built.

965

Arabs expelled from Asia Minor and neighbouring coastal areas by Byzantine Emperor, Nikiforos Focas, putting a stop to the raids. The advance of Seljukes in Asia Minor and the first crusade in the eleventh century obliged the Emperors of Constantinople to turn Cyprus into a stronghold. It was then that the castles of St.Hilarion, Bufavento and Kantara were built.

1884

Isaac Comnenos, the Byzantine Governor, declared himself independent ruler of Cyprus.

1191

Part of Richard Coeur de Lion's fleet wrecked off Limassol on the way to the third crusade. Survivors included his fiancee, Berengaria of Navarre, who was discourteously treated by Comnenos. Richard invaded and captured the island.

1192-1489

Richard transferred sovereignty to Guy de Lusignan, starting a 300-year dynasty.

Cyprus ruled on the feudal system;Catholic church officially replaced the Orthodox although the latter managed to survive in spite of many persecutions. However, Famagusta became one of the richest cities in the Middle East. Many beautiful buildings erected, Bellapais Abbey, Nicosia and Famagusta Cathedrals, still to be seen. Peak of this period passed towards the end of the 14^th Century;Famagusta captured by the Genoese and Limassol sacked by the Egyptians.

1489-1570

Period of rule by the Venetians who used Cyprus as a fortified base against the Turks. Trade and culture languished and heavy taxes imposed to pay for the fortifications. In spite of this Turkey successfully attacked Cyprus, gaining control of the island after the fall of Famagusta which had heroically withstood the Turkish siege for a year.

1571-1878

Under Turkish rule a certain amount of autonomy was granted: the Greek Orthodox Church being re-established and the Latin Church expelled. Influence of Church increased considerably in 1821, mainland Greeks rebelled against Turks; Cypriot Archbishop and other notables executed on suspicion of conspiracy.

1878

Agreement between Great Britain and Turkey transferred administration of Cyprus to Great Britain in exchange for help in the event of Russian hostility; annual rental fee paid to Turkey by Britain. Many reforms introduced.

1959

Following four-year struggle for independence, Zurich Agreement declared Cyprus should become an Independent Republic.

16 AUGUST 1960

Cyprus was declared an independent republic. Cyprus became a member of the United Nations, the British Commonwealth and the Council of Europe

20 JULY 1974

Using the coup d'etat against President Makarios as a pretext, Turkey invaded Cyprus in violation of international law, thus causing the worst calamity in its history: 37% of the territory of Cyprus, from which almost all its Greek Cypriot population was uprooted, continues to be under occupation. A large number of Turkish settlers have been transferred to northern Cyprus with the clear intention of changing the demographic character of the island. Moreover, the tradition and cultural heritage of Cyprus are being deliberately destroyed and churches and holy places are being desecrated.

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WEATHER IN CYPRUS TODAY

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PICTURES FROM LIMASSOL

PICTURES FROM LIMASSOL

Limassol, the most important tourist and commercial centre of Cyprus, today lies between two ancient city kingdoms, Kourion on the west and Amathus on the east, and an hour's drive from the other regions (Paphos, Larnaca, Nicosia, Troodos).

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