POPULATION
Cyprus has a population of about 1.3 million, concentrated mainly in the southern coastal areas of the island. The main cities are Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos.
CAPITAL
The capital is Nicosia (Lefkosia), located in the interior of the island, in the center of the Messaria Plain: it is the last capital in Europe still divided by a demarcation line. Among the city’s most iconic landmarks are the Famagusta Gate, the Selimiye Grand Mosque, the ancient Venetian city walls, and the lively Laiki Geitonia neighborhood.
CLIMATE
The island has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and mild, rainy winters.
• Summer (June–September): hot and dry, with highs around 30–33 °C along the coast and skies that are almost always clear.
• Winter (December–February): mild along the coast, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 17 °C, while the Troodos Mountains experience frequent snowfall.
• Spring and fall: the most pleasant seasons, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 °C and the countryside in full bloom.
Thanks to the climate, the beach season runs from April through October.
CURRENCY
The official currency isthe euro (EUR). Convert the Euro to Swiss Francs.
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
• Greek: the official language of the Republic of Cyprus, spoken by the vast majority of the population.
• Turkish: the official language of the northern part of the island.
• English: widely spoken and commonly used in tourism, business, and government.
RELIGION
The predominant denomination is Orthodox: the Church of Cyprus is one of the oldest autocephalous churches in the Orthodox world. There are also Catholic, Maronite, Armenian, and Muslim communities.
ART
Cypriot art weaves together three thousand years of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian history.
• Architecture: from the archaeological sites of Paphos and Salamis to the Byzantine churches of the Troodos Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Mosaics: The floors of the Roman villas in Paphos are among the best-preserved in the Mediterranean.
• Handicrafts: Lefkaritika lace, traditional pottery, and woven baskets.
• Icons: Byzantine religious paintings are preserved in museums and monasteries throughout the island.
CULTURE
Cypriot culture has Greek roots, with Turkish, British, and Middle Eastern influences that have accumulated over the centuries.
• Family and Society: The extended family remains the center of social life, and ties to countries of origin remain very strong.
• Festivals: Kataklysmos (the Water Festival on Pentecost), the Limassol Wine Festival, and Carnival are the most cherished celebrations.
• Food and socializing: Cypriot coffee and shared meze set the pace for each day.
• Traditions: Folk dances and village festivals are still very much alive.
FOOD
Cypriot cuisine is a rich and flavorful variation of Greek cuisine, characterized by the use of wheat, olive oil, aromatic herbs, and local cheese.
Traditional dishes:
• Halloumi: the national cheese, grilled or fresh, often served with watermelon.
• Meze: a selection of more than twenty small plates that covers the entire table.
• Sheftalia: traditional sausages wrapped in a net of lamb fat.
• Koupepia: grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat, served hot.
Beverages: Commandaria sweet wine, one of the oldest wines in the world still in production; zivania, a distilled spirit; and Cypriot coffee boiled with sugar.
Cypriot cuisine is generous and convivial: eating together is the island’s most direct form of hospitality.