Cyprus
Europe · Southern Europe
Overview
Cyprus is the Mediterranean's third largest island, a sun-drenched jewel at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa where mythology, ancient history, and modern beach culture coexist in effortless harmony. According to Greek myth, Aphrodite — goddess of love and beauty — was born from the sea foam here at the rock of Petra tou Romiou, a claim the island wears with considerable pride. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, it is one of Europe's most consistently warm and welcoming destinations.
Paphos, on the island's southwestern coast, is known for its ancient mosaics and the rock formation said in mythology to be the birthplace of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou), and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980. In the southern, government-controlled part of Nicosia, the island's capital and the only remaining divided capital in the European Union, Venetian fortifications and the Cyprus Museum offer insight into the island's history. The painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos Mountains, dating from between the 11th and 19th centuries, also form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Limassol, on the island's southern coast, with its medieval castle and lively harbor, is one of the major cities in the south.
The Troodos Mountains, Cyprus's highest range, topped by Mount Olympus at 1,952 meters, offer hiking in summer and skiing in winter. The island's southern coastline, particularly around Larnaca and Ayia Napa in the southeast, features sandy beaches and clear water. Local cuisine blends Greek and Turkish influences, with halloumi cheese, eaten grilled or fried, as a signature item, alongside meze, a traditional meal made up of numerous small dishes.
Political division and British sovereign bases
The northern part of the island, about a third of its territory, has been occupied by Turkey since 1974, and in 1983 the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared there, recognized as an independent state only by Turkey, while the United Nations continues to regard it as part of Cyprus. The Green Line runs between the two areas, monitored by UN peacekeepers, though a small number of crossing points allow travel in both directions. The island is also home to two separate British Sovereign Base Areas, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which have functioned as sovereign British military territory since Cyprus's independence in 1960 and fall under neither the Republic of Cyprus nor Northern Cyprus administratively.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Paphos
Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's legendary birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world.
Painted Churches in the Troodos Region
This region is characterized by one of the largest groups of churches and monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire. The complex of 10 monuments included on the World Heritage List, all richly decorated with murals, provides an overview of Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting in Cyprus. They range from small churches whose rural architectural style is in stark contrast to their highly refined decoration, to monasteries such as that of St John Lampadistis.
Choirokoitia
The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, occupied from the 7th to the 4th millennium B.C., is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean. Its remains and the finds from the excavations there have thrown much light on the evolution of human society in this key region. Since only part of the site has been excavated, it forms an exceptional archaeological reserve for future study.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Cyprus?
The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia.
What is the area of Cyprus?
The area of Cyprus is 9,251 km².
What is the population of Cyprus?
The population of Cyprus is 1,358,282.
What is the currency of Cyprus?
The currency of Cyprus is Euro (EUR).
What is the official language of Cyprus?
The official language of Cyprus: Greek, Turkish.
What side of the road does Cyprus drive on?
Cyprus: Left-hand traffic.
Is Cyprus a member of the European Union?
Yes, Cyprus is a member of the European Union.
Is Cyprus a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Cyprus is a member of the United Nations.