general information

Republic

Capital: Nicosia

Surface area: 9.200 km2

Population: 1,1 millions

Population density/km2: 120

Member of the EU since 2004

National day: 1 October

National anthem: Ode to Freedom

• Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia

• Fossils of elephants and hippopotami have been found

• The name Cyprus comes from the Latin word Cuprum (copper) which is Kypros in Greek

• The island depends greatly on rainfall for its water supply

• 18% of Cyprus' GPD comes from Tourism

• Cyprus' wines (2000 years BC) are the oldest in the world. According to legend, Dionysus, the god of the Vine, taught Icarus how to plant vine stock

• Following troubles between Turkish and Grek Cypriots, in 1974 the island was invaded by the Turks, who occupy the northern 1/3 of the country

• Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre at Lemesos

• Aphrodite, the goddess of Love and beauty was said to be born there

• The standard of living in the North is three times lower than in the South