80 FACTS ABOUT CYPRUS

  • 2023-02-13

Cyprus is a stunning island with a lengthy past. Cyprus was first mentioned before the BC. Additionally, Cyprus has always been in the middle of events in both Europe and Asia because of its geographical location. Additionally, Cyprus has a unique appeal that alludes to mythology because, according to history, it was this island where the goddess of beauty Aphrodite was born.

What, however, draws more visitors to Cyprus? Golden beaches and a beautiful sea, or the country's rich history?

It was probably the former at first. But as soon as a visitor gets to the island and starts learning facts of Cyprus, he falls in love with its history and returns time and time again to see the legendary sites, fascinating museums, and other old places.

If you're traveling to the island for the first time and want to learn interesting facts about Cyprus, no look further. Realty has put together an eighty-entertaining list of facts for you.

First, let's learn something facts about Cyprus from its history:

1. Due to the legend that Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, sprung from the sea between Paphos and Limassol, Cyprus was once also referred to as the "Playground of the Gods." It is said that if you swim three times around the rock where Aphrodite was born, you will remain young and attractive. The location is today known as "Petra tou Romiou."

2. Due to the huge quantities of natural copper and bronze resources that were exported from the island, Cyprus used to be one of the richest countries in ancient history. The old Greek term copper is where the modern name of Cyprus comes from.

3. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians to take control of the island.

4. Choirokoitia, one of the world's oldest Neolithic villages, is located on the island.

5. The Copper and Bronze Ages were a time of great prosperity for the island nation. The Cyprus was one of the richest at the time.

6. According to archeological discoveries, the island's first humans arrived more than ten thousand years ago.

7. The Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis, located close to Kourium in Limassol and constructed in the fifth century BC, is one of the most significant ancient religious monuments in Cyprus and Greece.

8. Cyprus is home to some of the world's oldest wells. According to research, the Stone Age wells that were found at Kissonerga, Paphos, are thought to be about 10,500 years old. They serve as a symbol of the complexity of Neolithic settlers.

9. Cyprus, which had joined the Roman Empire as a province, became the first nation to be ruled by a Christian in 45AD.

10. Other Cyprus facts about the church. The Cyprus Orthodox Church owns Cyprus' biggest bank. The Church has a big impact on how the islanders live their social and political lives.

11. The largest collection of Byzantine art in Cyprus is housed in the Byzantine Museum in Nicosia.

12. On May 12th, 1191, King Richard the Lionheart wed Queen Joanna at Limassol Castle. This remains the only location outside of the United Kingdom where an English royal wedding was held.

13. One of the richest cities in the known world under the Frank and Venetian empires was Famagusta, now referred to as the "Ghost city."

14. Cyprus is home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Paphos' historic center, Choirokoitia, and Troodos' Painted Churches (the mountain region)

15. Britain colonized Cyprus from 1925 to 1960. English rosettes and left-hand driving harken back to those days. It's interesting to note that the UK still controls 2% of the island's overall territory due to their military stations. As a result, Cyprus theoretically shares a land border with the UK.

16. On August 16, 1960, Cyprus separated from Great Britain. However, they observe Independence Day on October 1 each year.

17. The island nation is split into two sections. East and West. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the name of the northern portion, and the Independent Republic of Cyprus or Greek Cyprus is the name of the southern portion.

18. In the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is the third-largest and third-most populous island.

But Cyprus is not only history. There are many Cyprus fun facts about the everyday life of Cypriots. Something interesting from this:

19. Left-hand traffic in Cyprus. Even rented cars have a right-side steering wheel. The British colonists established these laws.

20. 80% of the island's inhabitants profess Christianity. According to some scientists, Cyprus was even the first Christian state in world history. Churches and monasteries of the Byzantine era have been preserved here.

21. Cyprus has three official languages: Turkish in the north, Greek in the south, and English in the tourist areas.

22. Grape moonshine is the island's official alcoholic beverage. Cyprus is a grape-producing island where zivania, a type of moonshine, is also produced. Any supermarket or specialty shop will have it. It is particularly well-liked by Cypriots, and it is safe to assume that zivania is their preferred strong beverage.

23. Taxi drivers in Cyprus reportedly don't give change. The change is kept by them as a tip. Telling the taxi driver, the precise change will help you save money in Cyprus.

24. There are a number of male-only cafes in Cyprus.

25. Cypriots are avid food lovers. Every week, the average Cypriot enjoys eating at his favorite restaurant.

26. In Cyprus, a foreign nationals make up one in five residents.

27. There is usually no water heating, with the exception of residential high-rise structures in large cities. Instead, Cypriots erect solar-heated water tanks on top of the roofs.

28. Cypriots enjoy unwinding. For instance, everything is often closed on Sunday, while pharmacies and banks are only open during the week and just until lunch. Around 5 or 6 pm, most stores close.

29. The typical kebab, which is called "souvlaki" in Cyprus, is the most consumed meal item.

30. Cypriots love weddings, and occasionally they invite hundreds of people to the party when they tie the knot.

31. Avoid attempting to bribe local law enforcement officials if you decide to break the law in Cyprus; it will not go well.

32. Thermophilic runs deep among Cypriots. While Westerners continue to wander around in T-shirts and shorts even when the temperature dips to 13 to 15 degrees Celsius in the winter, the locals wrap themselves in warm clothing.

33. In Cyprus, there is a tree that is reputed to grant wishes. Scarves and ribbons are used to decorate the tree at the Paphos Christian Catacombs entrance. When something that belongs to them is attached to the tree coupled with the hope that positive things will happen, people believe that infertile women will give birth to children and that people will return to their loved ones.

34. Residents of Cyprus are either referred to as "Turkish Cypriots" or "Greek Cypriots" depending on the region of the nation they reside in.

35. Cyprus is among the safest countries in the world and has one of the lowest crime rates.

36. In Cyprus, syrtos is the most well-liked folk dance.

37. The most Cyprus interesting facts is that 20–30% of people smoke. The nation has instituted a smoking ban in an effort to curtail this unhealthful habit of its populace. Smoking is still permitted in many places across the nation, though.

38. Easter is the primary holiday in Cyprus, which has a nearly 80% autocephalous Greek Orthodox population.

39. Haloumi cheese made in Cyprus is unparalleled. Haloumi is a delicacy that must be tried if you visit the island of Cyprus. The cheese is extremely unique; it squeaks on the teeth and develops a tasty crust when it is grilled. Goat milk is used to make haloumi, and occasionally mint and spices are also used.

Below are some facts of Cyprus education and medicine:

40. Children of any nationality, not just Cypriots, are welcome to attend public schools in Cyprus for free.

41. Every elementary school offers an extended day program that is funded by the state and provides lunch for the students. At school, sandwiches are provided gratis for kids from low-income households.

42. The state offers each youngster a check to purchase a computer here in the gymnasium (high school).

43. Children are transported to school by a free bus, and education and textbooks are free in Cyprus. Books are updated annually, and even children's dictionaries are purchased by the government.

44. In Cyprus, medical expenses are covered by insurance. However, those in need can also receive free medical care.

Despite the fact that Cyprus is popular for its beaches and the ocean, there is a lot of nature on the island.

What is Cyprus known for flora and fauna?

45. Cyprus is the country with the most cats in the entire globe! But this is not a coincidence. St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great in the fourth century, brought these creatures here. The island experienced a drought, which resulted in an abundance of deadly snakes. Cats needed to be good tamers. They were transported by ship to the island's southern region. The cats' original home was a neighboring monastery, where monks started providing them with food and care. The Cat Monastery of St. Nicholas is the name of the monastery, which is still active today.

46. Cyprus interesting facts - in Cyprus, there are bananas. This, however, is a significantly distinct variant from the one offered in stores. Although the fruits are smaller and greener than their yellow counterparts, they taste very similar.

47. The largest theme water park in Europe is located in Cyprus.

48. The island is home to around 370 different bird species.

49. The island is home to more than 260 different species of fish, yet no one ever manages to catch any of them, which is likely due to the strong currents off the coast.

50. 140 of the 1950 flowering plant species recorded worldwide can be found in Cyprus.

51. A rare species of sheep called the Cyprus mouflon is exclusive to Cyprus.

52. Every autumn, during their trek south, 10,000 flamingos temporarily pause to feed in the Larnaca Salt Lake.

53. Cyprus is home to about 20 unique orchid species.

54. The donkey is regarded as Cyprus' national animal. They are most frequently encountered in small towns and on farms where they are employed as laborers.

And some other facts of Cyprus:

55. The EU Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety has been awarded to more than 45 beaches in Cyprus.

56. The capital of the island, Nicosia, is the only one in the world that is shared by two countries.

57. Cyprus resembles a cigar pipe in form. Take a close look at the Cyprus map.

58. What about Cyprus? Cyprus is among the safest countries in the world and has one of the lowest crime rates.

59. At the London 2012 Olympics, Cyprus won its first Olympic medal.

60. Cyprus is the first country in the world and one of only two to have its map on its flag. What country is the other, I wonder? It's Kosovo

61. Cyprus' tallest mountain, Mount Olympus, rises 6402 feet above sea level.

62. Cyprus experiences 40 days of rainfall annually on average.

63. In Cyprus, theft is essentially non-existent.

64. Cyprus doesn't have any railroads. More specifically, there was one, but it closed in the middle of the 20th century due to a lack of profitability.

65. Varosha, a ghost town in Cyprus, was abandoned following the armed confrontation with Turkey in the middle of the 1980s. The city has been deserted and slowly disintegrating ever since. De jure, Varosha constitutes a sector of Famagusta, a larger city.

66. Visitors may be refused entry to Cyprus if their passports are stamped with the Macedonian border crossing date. This is a result of the struggle between Greece and Macedonia.

67. Greek subtitles are added to the original language of the film in Cypriot theaters, which do not translate the content.

68. Cyprus has the most vehicles per inhabitant of any nation in the entire world.

69. In Cyprus, there are no paid beaches; instead, they are all public spaces that are free to use.

70. In the entire Mediterranean region, Cyprus is the nation with the most sunshine days per year.

71. In fair weather, Turkey may be seen from the island's northern coast.

72. Football is the most popular sport in Cyprus.

73. Here, Cyprus is the southernmost point of the European Union.

74. The fourth shrine of Islam, after Mecca, Medina, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, is the mosque Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca, which was constructed on the location of the meteorite crash.

75. In the Stavrovuni Monastery, a nail from the cross on which Christ was crucified is maintained.

76. There is only one cement plant in the island's industrial landscape.

77. Cyprus's roadway system is fairly well established. Everything that can be connected to one another are connected via highways. One of the top highways in Europe is found in Cyprus.

78. In Cyprus' mountains, it snows during the winter. One of the most southern ski areas in Europe is located in Cyprus.

79. The state of Cyprus recognizes church marriage as being legal.

80. Europe's healthiest climate is found in Cyprus. This is a result of the island's advantageous location, the complete lack of factories, plants, and other businesses, as well as the island's cleanliness and the Cypriots' concern for the environment. This is further supported by the fact that Cyprus has the highest concentration of Europeans who live to be quite old.

These are only a few intriguing facts about Cyprus. No matter how long you stay in this amazing nation, you never grow tired of it.

Cyprus offers stunning beaches, historic sites that transport you back in time like a time machine, and outstanding examples of local cuisine. In Cyprus, there are still old monasteries, towns, and structures where ages-old customs are reverently observed. Thanks to the neighborhood of two cultures (Asian and European), has many unique qualities that make it the greatest spot to unwind and live. So, whatever your reason for visiting the island, rest assured that it will leave you with a lasting experience that will make you want to come back again.

Was it an enjoyable read?

Realty
Rate Usability