Cyprus, Greece

About location

The island of Cyprus is the third biggest in the Mediterranean. It has a well developed economy and is known for its high per capita GDP. Cyprus is an independent republic that is a founding nation of the Cold War-neutral Non Aligned Movement. In 2004, Cyprus effectively left the Non Aligned Movement and entered the European Union. The island republic’s capital is Nicosia. While on paper, Cyprus Island is a single country, the reality on the ground is that the island is divided into a Greek south and a Turkish north.

The capital itself is split into two parts by what is known as the Green Line akin to the Berlin wall split between East and West Germany during the Cold War. A separating wall was however brought down in 2008. The south has embraced the Euro while the north uses the Turkish Lira. However, if Turkey’s efforts to join the EU succeed, the Euro will eventually be used on both sides of the island.

Climate

The weather of Cyprus is a mix of Mediterranean, sub tropical and semi arid. The months from June through September are the hottest with average highs ranging from 29C to 36C depending on where one is on the island. Sea waters remain warm for the most part – sea temperatures average at least 20C in 7 of 12 months each year. December is the wettest month of the year with the amount of rain increasing as one moves inland to higher altitudes. Snow occurs in these higher altitude areas such as the Troodos Mountains during the winter. Mount Olympus, the highest point on the Troodos Mountains can be 10C to 15C cooler than coastal areas.

History

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of human settlement on the island of Cyprus from circa 7,000 BC. The well preserved, thick walled village of Choirokoitia is one of the most notable signs of organised human communities from this period.  Water wells unearthed from this era are some of the oldest in the world. The first major wave of Greeks to come to the island landed circa 1400BC. Cyprus would occupy an important place in ancient Greek mythology as the birthplace of the gods Adonis and Aphrodite. Cyprus’ large island size and its location on the Eastern end of the Mediterranean saw it invaded and controlled by many empires and kingdoms including the Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantine and Ottomans.

The Ottomans conquered Cyprus in 1570 and settled the Janissaries on the island. This marked a significant change in the demographics of the island whose population was previously almost entirely Greek Cypriot. In 1878, the Ottomans ceded administration of Cyprus to Britain but retained sovereignty over it. This agreement was in exchange for British support against Russian aggression. Britain would annex Cyprus in World War I with the island officially becoming a British colony in 1925.

Cyprus gained independence in 1960. Inter-communal violence and a coup d’état triggered an invasion from Turkey in 1974. Turkey would control about 40% of Cyprus and in 1983 declared the area the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – the new country though was and is still only recognised by Turkey. Since then, there have been numerous efforts towards reconciling the two sides but the island remains divided with a UN-administered buffer zone. Open hostilities have been absent for several years now.

Attractions

A good proportion of tourists to Cyprus visit the port of Larnaca and the nearby beaches on the island’s south east edge. There are also numerous, well preserved, archaeological sites on the island from the Stone Age and the empires that took root on Cyprus throughout the ages. That includes the 7000BC Choirokoitia settlement, the 1^st century Tombs of the Kings, the 4^th century Stavrovouni Monastery, the Temple of Astarte, the Church of Ayios Lazaros, the 17^th century Larnaca Fort and numerous museums . If you want to see something that is away from the coast, the Troodos Mountains are a suitable hiking location. Several 12^th to 15^th century monasteries and churches are tucked away in these mountains.