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CYPRUS 
Geography
- Capital - Nicosia. Cyprus is an independent
sovereign republic with the presidential form of government.
The island of Cyprus is located between 34-35 degrees of northern
latitude and 32-34 degrees of east longitude in a northeast part of the
Mediterranean Sea a distance of 380 kms. from Egypt, 105 kms. from Syria,
and 800 kms. from continental Greece. Third largest island of the
Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has the area of 9251 sq. kms. Its maximal
length is 240 kms. from east to west and a maximal width of 100 kms. from
north to the south. Cyprus - the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sardinia and Sicily, south of Turkey. The island is situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, gateway to the oil-rich Arab states and Middle East.
Rainfall
- Average quantity(amount) of rain deposits during the rainy season occurs from January till February - this constitutes about 60 % of annual quantity(amount) of deposits on an island. Snowfall occurs each winter at heights more than 1000 m. from the first week of December up to middle of April.
The nature and animals
- Cyprus, like most areas east of the Mediterranean islands
of Europe, lays on a crossroads between East and West. Cyprus is
attractive the year round. See nearly untouched landscapes, silent Villages in
which the time as though has stopped, and magnificent cultural
monuments. You can find all this on an island the tourists will find still has the newest infrastructure including modern cities and hotels of a high class.
The population
- The population of Cyprus exceeds 780 thousand.
Ethnic structure includes the Greeks - 80 %, Turks - 18 %, and other nationalities -
2 %. There are also many foreigners, including Russian, that select Cyprus as a place of constant residing, that is explained by relative cheapness of life, perfect
climate, and low crime rate. Cyprus maintains a policy of encouragement of offshore
business.
Religion
- Orthodox - 77%, Islam - 18%.
Language
- Greek language is official language of the Republic, however
almost everywhere is widely accepted and is understood English. The tourist
sphere of Cyprus uses the French and German languages.
Tourism
- For the tourists on Cyprus there are large
opportunities of various restaurants. For fans of serious cultural or historical studies it is possible to offer cruises to Egypt and Israel, sightseeing tours on-island,
trips to monasteries and a survey of many monuments of an ancient art. The
gourmets will find a series of restaurants and taverns with national kitchen and
drinks. They can also participate in tasting wine and can buy the freshest
fruit in the market. For tourists with children it will be interesting to
visit the Aquapark and the Delphinarium. On Chyprus it is possible to
rent a horse for riding, to go to a safari-rounds and mini-cruises, or to fly about the island at mid-summer. Tourists can engage in yachting, diving,
fishing and catching of octopuses. On evenings for the tourists the majority of the entertaining programs is well organized. The holidays and festivals, which will be
spent on Cyprus at any time of year, will be interesting to all visitors of
the island.
Government policies
- Since 1975 the government has carried out policies of
encouragement for offshore business and development of international tourism.
The legislation of the island is based on the English system of common law and property rights. Cyprus has a very low crime rate - 1/6 compared to Central European levels.
Currency
- Monetary unit - Cyprian pound is equal to 100 cents. In
circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 1 pound, and
also coins of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. The exchange rate varies but is
approximately 2 $ USA for 1 pound. To change currency the rate is
better in banks and currency exchange shops, instead of in hotel, where, as a
rule, the rates favour the hotel. The banks on Cyprus work from 08:15 AM till 12:30 PM from Monday till Friday. On Monday the banks are also open in the second half of the day from 15:15 till 16:45.
In tourist zones the currency exchange shops work all day.
Transport
- the transport network is very well advanced. The cheapest
type of transport is buses. They connect the centre of any resort to
the general tourist area and all main cities of Cyprus. These buses ply daily each
hour, except for Sunday. Except for usual taxi, between the main cities
the needs for connection includes the custom "Service - taxi", which can
be ordered through reception of hotel. It will do when you have no time for a bus but costs almost twice as much or more than a bus. However, it is much cheaper than the usual taxi, since the custom Service taxi transports up to 10 men. "Service - taxi" operates from Monday till Saturday from 06:05 till 18:30 (19:00-summer), and operates on Sunday from 07:00 till 17:00 (18:00-summer) with a frequency - every 30 minutes. On holidays the "Service - taxi" does not work.
Communications
- telephone code: 357
Electrical power
- Common voltage is 220 Volts. In many hotels
adapters for sockets are given as a service of accommodation under a pledge of return.
Customs rules
- On Cyprus a six-monthly quarantine is stipulated for
import of home animals. Therefore import on short term makes no sense.
If you bring into country any more than $1000 currency or equivalent, Customs requires you to make a declaration.
Souvenirs
- Tourists will find attractive as souvenots national crafts (embroidery, ceramics, products
from silver, stamping on silver, products of basketry made from reeds), Cyprian wine
and "Commandaria", beer. Also it is possible to buy high qualitiesof leather(skin), furs, jeweller's products, and stylish footwear.
The tip
- In restaurants the usual size of the tip should be about 10 % based on the
sum of the bill of faire. In hotels it is accepted to leave some coins for a parlourmaid.
Clothes
- In winter time you should bring a light jacket or sweater, and plan on wearing
Trousers (rather than shorts). Also it is good form to bring an umbrella (parasol) during the rainy season. In the summer the convenient clothes for beach
relaxation are necessary. If your excursion is in Sacred places, it is necessary during
cruise in Israel and Egypt, and also visiting of churches and
monasteries, for the women to have clothes with covered shoulders and knees
and to the men should not wear shorts. Similar clothes will prove to be useful for evening activities for the fans of professional entertainments.
The rules of behaviour
- people on Cyprus are very much open, informal and are
friendly. Any visitor can visit, for example, local friends at a wedding celebration and be completely relaxed and welcome. To know the groom or bride and even someone from the visitors it is completely not necessary. In Cyprus it is accepted, that anyone, who makes a gift automatically becomes invited. It is a custom for a newly-married
couple to give an envelope with money that entitles them to an entertainment and
participation in a holiday. For a gift there are traditionally ten pounds or more, the rest
depends on your generosity. Weddings on Cyprus are interesting performances
with national dances and music. Join!
Gestures: the stretched hand with an open palm on Cyprus means "is not
present" or "I do not know". Never use little finger only in the air because it insults manhood. Beckoning with the hand should always be with palm pointed down - never up. Denotes respect and politeness.
The climate
- Has one of most healthy in the world of climates -
intensive Mediterranean. Cyprus is registered as the most solar island of the
Mediterranean sea (about 340 solar days in one year) with the warmest
sea water varied from 16 degrees C in January up to 32 degrees C in August.
Expect a dry hot summer from middle of May up to middle of September and
changeable winter from November up to the middle days of March.
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