Welcome to Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout antiquity came here just to pay her tribute.

Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. Here you will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where sweet wine flows as freely as conversations at the local café, a carefree place where a sense of timelessness is magnified by the kindness of the people.

Population :
802 500 (End 2002)
641 700 (80.1%) : Greek Cypriots (including 2 600 Armenians, 4 800 Maronites, 900 Latins)
87 400 (10.9%) : Turkish Cypriots
72 500 (9%) : Foreign residents
Population of Main Towns (End 2002)
Lefkosia (Nicosia): 208 900
Lemesos (Limassol): 163 900
Larnaka: 73 200
Pafos: 48 300

Crime in Cyprus is, comparatively, at a very low level. The Police is always ready to assist anyone who needs help. In case of emergency, one may telephone 199 or 112 (in all towns). All policemen speak good English.