This post was most recently updated on January 6th, 2023
Have you ever been to Cyprus?
If you have then can totally relate to this article, and if you haven’t then you are in for a treat. After reading this article, Cyprus would be on your bucket list. That’s for sure.
Hey everyone, welcome to Europetutor.com. Today in this article, we are going to talk about the country of Cyprus and how elegant it is in every aspect. We will try to answer every question there is about Cyprus, so keep reading till the end to know more about the country.
Let’s start, shall we?
Where is Cyprus located?
It is one of the most asked questions. Many people have heard about Cyprus but they really don’t know where it is located.
Cyprus is an island country located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. It lies in the south of Turkey, west of Syria, and Southeast of Greece. Along with these countries, Cyprus is also a neighbor of Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt.
Look at the image below to have a better understanding of Cyprus’ whereabouts.
What does Cyprus look like?
Here is a map of Cyprus:
Area and Population of Cyprus
The total area of Cyprus is 9,251 sq km (3,572 sq mi), and it is 0.11% water. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
Based on the Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data, the current population of Cyprus as of Sunday, August 08, 2022, is estimated to be around 1,226,066. The population density in Cyprus is 131 per sq Km (338 people per sq mi).
History of Cyprus
The earliest known human activity on the island dates to around 10,000 BC. Cyprus has a very deep history, so I won’t bore you with all the details. If you wish to learn more about it, click here to read about the history of Cyprus from Wikipedia.
For now, let’s talk about Cyprus after its independence.
Cyprus was under United Kingdom’s administration for 82 years and got independence from the British Empire on 16th August 1960. That was the day when Cyprus became an independent country.
From British Empire to Ottoman Empire Cyprus was subsequently colonized by multiple Empires multiple times.
What happened after the independence?
Cyprus has natively two ethnic communities, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. After the independence, the Greek Cypriots wanted to unionize Cyprus with Greece, and the Turkish Cypriots wanted to divide Cyprus into Turkish and Greek portions.
You can click the links below to read in detail about these political movements:
Enosis (Movement to connect Cyprus with Greece)
Things were getting out of hand.
Greek Cypriot nationalists staged an act in an attempt at Enosis. Thinking that the Enosis would be a success, Turkey invaded Cyprus on 20th July 1974. Turkey captured the northern part of Cyprus and displaced over 150,000 Greek Cypriots and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots.
Today, the northern part of Cyprus is majorly inhabited by Turkish Cypriots, and this part is called the Turkey Republic of Northern Cyprus. Only Turkey recognizes the northern part as the Turkey Republic of Northern Cyprus. Every other country in the world recognizes the northern part as part of the Republic of Cyprus.
This problem is internationally followed and named the term “Cyprus Dispute” or “Cyprus Conflict”.
In order to main peace and avoid any further intercommunal tensions and hostilities between northern and southern parts, the United Nations maintains a buffer zone on the border.
You can look at the map below to see the border.
How many districts are there in Cyprus?
Cyprus has 6 administrative districts. Out of six districts in Cyprus, Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos, and Larnaca are located in the Southern part of Cyprus, whereas Kyrenia and Famagusta are located in the Northern part of Cyprus.
You can click the links below to learn about different cities in Cyprus.
In addition, Northern Cyprus is divided into six districts:
Lefkoşa, Gazimağusa, Girne, Güzelyurt, İskele and Lefke. There are further twelve sub-districts divided between the five larger districts and twenty-eight municipalities
Is Cyprus Europe or Asia?
Cyprus is 100% Europe. As Cyprus is an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean sea, people usually assume it is in Asia, but it’s not. Cyprus is in Europe and it is culturally and politically tied mainly to Southeast Europe. Cyprus joined the European Union on 1st May 2004.
Is Cyprus a Schengen country?
As of today (08-August-2022) Cyprus isn’t a part of the Schengen zone. Will it join in the future? Nobody knows. Well, there are chances, but no one can say for 100% that it will. There are benefits and disadvantages of joining Schengen. It’s up to the European Union and the government of Cyprus to decide whether to join Schengen or not.
Schengen is a visa agreement between 26 European States to abolish border control at their mutual borders.
In simple terms, if you are in one of the countries in the Schengen area, you can travel to another country in the Schengen area with a common visa.
If Cyprus joins Schengen, you can travel to Greece or any other European country easily and no new visa is required.
Can you enter Cyprus with a Schengen Visa?
Yes, you can enter Cyprus with a Schengen Visa. Since June 2014 Cyprus accepts a valid Schengen Visa (category C, double or multiple entries) equivalent to its national visa for transit through or intended stay on its territory not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. The following conditions apply:
- have a valid passport or other document provided for traveling abroad
- be able to confirm the purpose of travel and accommodation in Cyprus
- have sufficient funds to stay and return to the country of permanent residence.
Is Cyprus part of Greece or Turkey?
Cyprus is neither a part of Greece nor Turkey. Cyprus is an independent country. Cyprus got its independence from the British in 1960. Mainly the people in the Southern part of Cyprus speak Greek and the Northern part speaks Turkish, so people assume it might be a part of Greece or Turkey. But it’s none of them.
The northern part of Cyprus is under Turkey, but only Turkey recognizes it as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Every other country in the world recognizes the northern part as part of the Republic of Cyprus.
Is Cyprus in NATO?
Cyprus isn’t a NATO member. In fact, Cyprus is the only European Union member country that is not a NATO member. NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
It is an international military alliance where 30 countries from North America and Europe have signed the treaty where 2 of the countries are from North America, and 28 of them are from Europe. If an armed attack occurs against one of the member states, it shall be considered an attack against all members, and other members shall assist the attacked member, with armed forces if necessary.
In February 2011, the Parliament of Cyprus suggested a resolution that Cyprus should seek membership in NATO, but it didn’t happen.
The then President of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, did not act on it, saying it would hamper his attempts to negotiate an end to the nation’s dispute with Northern Cyprus.
What are people from Cyprus called?
People from Cyprus are called Cypriots. People who live in the Southern part of Cyprus are called Greek Cypriots and those who live in the Northern part of Cyprus are called Turkish Cypriots. In the past, people used to call Cypriots as “Cypriote“.
What currency do they use in Cyprus?
People in Cyprus use “Euro” as their primary currency. Before 2008, Cyprus used to use Cyprus Pound as its currency. The British introduced the Cypriot pound in 1879.
On 1 January 2008, the euro became legal tender in Cyprus, replacing the Cyprus pound (CYP) at the irrevocably fixed exchange rate of €1 = CYP 0.585274.
However, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus still uses the Turkish Lira as its official currency.
Where can I change the old Cyprus pound?
Cypriot Pounds are now obsolete so it’s better to change them to Euro. You can change them from the Central Bank of Cyprus, or any other bank will also change it. Travel agents can also change them. You can also change them at the international airport.
Is Cyprus a rich country?
Cyprus has a Human Development Index of 0.887 as of 2019, which is very high. The per capita GDP of Cyprus in 2022 is 48,443 USD, which is over the average. According to International Monetary Fund, Cyprus is the 37th richest country in the world. The standard of living in Cyprus is praised and followed all over the world. Hence, we can say without a doubt, that Cyprus is a rich country.
What languages do they speak in Cyprus?
The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. All the government-published documents are written in both Greek and Turkish. In fact, the legislative, executive, judiciary, and administrative documents are required to be written and published in Greek and Turkish languages for the whole country to understand.
Other than that people in Cyprus mainly speak the following languages:
- English (Semi-official language)
- Armenian
- Cypriot Arabic
- Kurbetcha
- Romanian
- Russian
- German
- Bulgarian
- Hindi
- Tagalog
What is the climate like in Cyprus?
Cyprus has an intense subtropical and Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot and dry, winters are rainy, and autumn and spring seasons are short and warm. Cyprus has one of the warmest climates and warmest winters in the Mediterranean part of the European Union. Snow is possible only in the Troodos mountains in the central part of the island.
You can click here to read in detail about the climate in Cyprus.
What is Cyprus famous for?
Cyprus is famous for the carnival, Mediterranean cuisine, wine, beaches, halloumi, the birthplace of Aphrodite, Limassol castle, turtle beach, traditional cars, copper, Troodos Mountains, tombs of the kings, and many more things.
You can click here to read it in detail.
What is the main food in Cyprus?
Food and drink are a big part of any given social occasion in Cyprus. The main food in Cyprus are Pitta bread, Halloumi cheese, Souvlaki (Barbecued meat), Kleftiko (Roasted Lamb Meat), Sheftalies, Louvi (beans), and Baklava (sweet pastry).
Cypriots generally prefer to have long lunches and late dinners, when temperatures have fallen to a more pleasant level. Restaurants (depending on location) will typically not open until 7 pm, with most customers arriving from 8 or 9 onwards.
What is the traditional clothing in Cyprus?
The traditional clothing for Men in Cyprus: Traditional trousers called Vraka, shirt, waistcoat, belt, socks, boots, overcoat or coat, hats, and men’s jewelry. The pieces of jewelry that complete the men’s garment are the watch, the chain, and the rings, mostly worn by those that could afford them.
The traditional clothing for Women in Cyprus: A wide silk skirt, a short tight jacket with sleeves, a shirt, and a fez or shawl. On the head, they wear a fez with a rich ‘alokoto’ or a shawl with a bow at the side. On the head, they tie a shawl that held back the hair and ended in a bow at one side.
The materials that are used to make traditional Cypriot clothes are mainly cotton and silk.
Is Cyprus a friendly country?
Cyprus is very friendly and Cypriots are generally very helpful. As the majority of Cypriots speak English there would be no language barrier. Be it a supermarket or a beach, you will always find people who would speak English.
Tourists and visitors are always welcomed in Cyprus. Taxis and other types of transportation are normally safe in Cyprus, with reliable and modern vehicles. Taxi sharing is usually not permitted in Cyprus.
Street crime rarely happens and even if it does, it is usually performed by unarmed criminals. Armed robbery is most common in the Turkish, northern part of the country, and is rare elsewhere.
The food is good, the weather is good and the people are helpful. The only drawback is Cyprus is geographically close to countries with a high range of terrorism and wars. Nothing bad has happened till date because of that, but no one can say what might happen in the future.
Can I travel between North and South Cyprus?
If you are a Cypriot National you can easily travel to the Northern part of Cyprus from the South. However, if you have a Turkish passport, you will need to have a visa or permit to enter South Cyprus. The same applies to 3rd country nationals. If you have a visa or pink slip of south Cyprus, you can easily travel to North Cyprus without a new visa. But if you have a visa from North Cyprus, you will need another visa to travel to South Cyprus.
What do I need to travel to Cyprus?
You can travel to Cyprus for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
But if you wish to stay for more than 90 days, you will have to have a Cyprus visa.
Requirements:
- Passport
- Visa
- Enough fund
- Two-way ticket
- PCR Report
- Hotel booking or guaranteed accommodation paper
Does Uber work in Cyprus?
Uber doesn’t work in Cyprus. As of today (08-August-2022) Uber isn’t functional in Cyprus. Uber is planning on opening its services in Cyprus, but that’s for the future.
Cyprus has Bolt though. Bolt drivers are licensed taxis and they go with a taximeter. When you use them via the app, you can pay by card and see an estimate of your ride. Bolt is almost the same as Uber.
What goods are exported and imported in Cyprus?
Cyprus imports consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, and transport equipments. Cyprus exports Citrus, Potatoes, Pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing. As per the 2017 estimation, Cyprus exported items worth 2.805 billion US dollars and imported items worth 7.935 billion US dollars.
Cyprus’s main import partners are Greece, Italy, China, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Israel.
Cyprus’s main export partners are Libya, Greece, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Germany. More than 50% of its trade is with the rest of the European Union, especially Greece and the United Kingdom, while the Middle East receives 20% of exports.
Why is Cyprus so British?
Cyprus was colonized by the British for 82 years. The rules and regulations, highways, food, and shopping malls all were mainly created in a British way, that’s why Cyprus is so British. Even after the independence, the British still has two military bases in Cyprus which are Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
Where do most brits live in Cyprus?
The majority of British expats live in the Paphos area in Cyprus. There are at least 50,000 British who reside in Cyprus, with most having their property in the Paphos district. Apart from that, Brits love to live in Limassol, Ayia Napa, Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. Some people live in the Northern part of Cyprus too, but very few.
How does Cyprus make money?
Cyprus makes money mainly from the Tourism sector, foreign investments, products export, government tax, golden visa, and student visa. Apart from that Cyprus makes money by selling oil and gas, as a shipping hub, and from trade.
How much is the rent in Cyprus?
Rent in Cyprus varies from place to place. The rent in Limassol is a bit higher compared to that of Nicosia and Paphos. You can get a room in a nice apartment from 300 Euro to 1000 Euro. If you wish to rent a whole apartment, then it might cost you somewhere from 600 Euro up to 3000 Euro depending upon the quality of the apartment.
Finding a room or flat in Cyprus is not an easy task. But thanks to platforms like Bazaraki and Facebook Marketplace, room finding becomes much easier. You can also contact real estate agents to rent or buy an apartment.
You can click here to read in detail about the cost of living in Cyprus and the cost of living in Northern Cyprus.
Is it easy to get a job in Cyprus?
Finding a job in Cyprus depends on your skills and knowledge. If you have the required skill set, you can easily find a job. You have to be legally residing in Cyprus and have a valid visa. There are some jobs where a degree isn’t required, but some jobs do require your certificates.
What is the minimum wage in Cyprus?
The minimum wage in Cyprus is 5 Euro per hour. In some places, they will only pay you 3/4 Euro per hour, and in some places you can get up to 7 Euro per hour, but 5 Euro is the average you will get in Cyprus.
What is the average income in Cyprus?
The average salary in Cyprus depends upon the kind of job you are doing. If you are working as a waiter you will be earning somewhere between 700 Euro to 1200 Euro per month. If you are working in an office where a degree is required to get the job, you can earn somewhere between 1,200 Euro to 15,000 Euro.
You can click here to read in detail about the average salary in Cyprus.
You can click here to read in detail about the average salary in Northern Cyprus.
Which is cheaper, North or South Cyprus?
North Cyprus is approximately 30% cheaper than South Cyprus as it uses Turkish Lira and South Cyprus uses Euro. At today’s rate (08- August- 2022), 1 Euro is equals to 18.31 Turkish Lira. Some people from the South go to the North part to buy some groceries as it’s cheaper there.
Can I live permanently in Cyprus?
To obtain a Permanent Residency Permit in Cyprus, one can either purchase a property in Cyprus (the fast-track option) or after legally residing in Cyprus for a continuous period of more than 5 years, an individual and his or her family members may apply for the permit.
How strong is Cyprus’s passport?
The Cypriot passport ranks among the strongest in the world, as holders are able to travel to 146 countries without a visa. According to the updated Passport Index, Cyprus gets a Passport Power Rank of 13, and an Individual Power Rank of 36 globally.
What is considered rude in Cyprus?
Following are the things considered rude in Cyprus.
- Walking bare feet in Public.
- Smoking or drinking in Public.
- Saying no to the food they offer. Refusing something offered can be interpreted as an insult.
- It is rude to yawn when talking with people of authority or family.
- Littering and spitting on the street are strongly frowned upon.
Conclusion
I hope you have read the whole article till the end. If you have then you now know a lot of stuff about Cyprus. Cyprus is a nice country with warm weather, diverse culture, and friendly people. Please do visit Cyprus. You are always welcome. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
You may also like to read:
