About cyprus

About Cyprus

Geography:
Cyprus is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardenia and covers an area of 9,251.- square kilometres. Standing at the crossroads of Europe,Asia and Africa, Cyprus has had a tumultuous history. This strategic position, the country's copper deposits and abundance of timber have all played an important role in the island's history and its economic development since ancient times. By air, Cyprus is one hour away from Athens, Egypt and Israel, and four hours away from London and most other European cities.

Nicosia(Lefkosia),the capital of Cyprus is situated roughly in the centre of the island and,in addition to being the seat of the government,is also the financial and business centre.All other major cities are situated on the coast.Limassol is the second-largest city and the island's main port and industrial centre,as well as a tourist resort. Paphos is a very popular holiday destination, having an international airport (8 minutes driving distance from Paphos city) and with luxurious hotels.The biggest airport of the island is located in Larnaca.(90 minutes driving distance from Paphos

Climate:
Cyprus has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with approximately 300 sunny days a year.Summer lasts from June to September with July being the hottest month.During winter,the weather is mild but changeable, with January being the coldest month. Government : Cyprus is an independent and sovereign republic with a presidential system of government. The president is the head of state, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. The Council of Ministers, which is appointed by the president, is the executive branch of the republic, while legislative power lies with the House of Representatives whose members also serve for five years. Cyprus is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation. It has an Association Agreement with the EU, which provides for the establishment of a customs union between the two parties. Cyprus has applied to become a full member of the EU ; accession negotiations commenced in march 1998 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2002.

Construction:
Construction has slowed in recent years,with its contribution to GDP falling gradually from 8.4% in 1995 to 6.8% in 2000. Between 1986 and 1992,the sector grew by an average of 11% per annum,largely due to the expansion of the tourism industry and government investment in infrastructure, but decelerated thereafter following the completion of several large projects and a low demand for new construction.

Tourism:
Tourist arrivals increased by 10.3% to 3.53 million people in 2000, compared to 3.14 million in 1999. Total receipts from tourism increased by 16.8% to CYP 1,194 million in 2000 from CYP 1,022 million the previous year. The rate of increase was much faster than the corresponding number of tourist arrivals,indicating a rise in the amount of money tourists spent.

Information about Pafos

Founded in the 4th century BC, Paphos was the capital of Cyprus for nearly eight hundred years. In the Roman times Paphos was commercially very important, however frequent earthquakes, the most damaging being in 4AD resulted in the capital being moved to Consantia. Paphos is now the fourth largest town on the island and a thriving tourist resort.

There are many historical places to visit in and arround Pafos. Below are some of the most famous.

The House of Dionysios
Situated near the harbour, the mosaic flooring in the remains of this Roman villa, built in 3rd century but destroyed by earthquakes in 4th century, is amongst the finest in the Levant and included in the "World Heritage" list. Mon-Sun: 07:30-17:00 Paphos

District Archaeological Museum
Collection of Cypriot antiquities-Neolithic Age to 1700 A.D. Mon-Fri: 07:30-17:00; Thurs: 15:00-18:00; Sat-Sun: 10:00-13:00

Byzantine Museum
Icons from the 12th to 18th centuries. Mon-Sat: 09:00-12:30; Mon-Fri: 14:00-17:00. (June to September) 16:00-19:00

Tombs of the Kings
The tombs lie in a rocky costal area covering about 3 Sq Km and date back to the 4th century B.C. The area was used as a necropolis for the wealthy during Ptolemaic and Roman times but were never actually tombs of "Kings" They are carved out of solid rock, some decorated with Doric pillars. Mon-Sun: 07:30-17:00

Agia Solomoni Church
An interesting underground church originally a Christian catacomb retaining 12th-century frescoes. Near the church in a cave is a pool of water the water of which is said to cure the ill.

The Odeon
Near the lighthouse are the remains of a 1st century Odeon built of limestone. Now it is often used in the summer for musical and theatrical events.

Castle of Forty Columns
Built by the Lusignans in the 13th century on the site of a previous Byzantine castle, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1222. A notable feature was its many granite columns.

Paphos Castle
A Byzantine fort built to protect the port. Rebuilt by the Lusignans it was later destroyed by the Venitians in 1570 and was eventually rebuilt once more by the Ottoman governor of the island in 1592. Mon-Sun: 10:00-17:00

Chrysopolitissa Church
Built in the 13th century over the mosaic floor of a Byzantine. It was destroyed in 7th century. Saint Paul's Pillar The marble column is said to have been the pillar to which Saint Paul was tied and flogged by the Romans for preaching Christianity.

Ayia Paraskevi Church
Yeroskipou village, 3 km east of Paphos. Byzantine church dating to the 10th century, a vaulted three-isle basilica with five domes forming a cross, with beautiful 15th century-murals.

Temple of Aphrodite
Kouklia village, 14 km east of Paphos, off the Limassol to Paphos road. Palaipaphos, Old Paphos, was a celebrated pilgrimage centre of the ancient Greek world. The remains of the Temple of Aphrodite, which dates back to the 12th century B.C. can be found scattered around the area in which it originally stood. In 1888 excavations found a large black conical stone the earliest representation of Aphrodite. The finds are exhibited in Kouklia Museum housed in what was once a Lusignan manor, Chateau de Covocle. Daily: 07:30-17:00

The Birthplace of Venus.
Petra Tou Romiou 25 km east of Paphos on the road to Limassol The mythical birthplace of Aphrodite. Legend dictates that Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this spot. The name given to the rock, Petra tou Romiou means 'The Rock of the Greek' refersto the legendary Byzantian frontier-guard, Digenis Akritas who threw the rock and sunk the ships of the Saracens.

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