Road Curves on the Mountain

• Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, located south of Turkey.
• Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Also the world’s 81st largest by area and world’s 49st largest by population.
• Although the island is geographically in Asia it is politically a European country and is a member of the European Union.
• The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. Greek is spoken predominately in the south and Turkish is spoken predominately in the north. English is very widely spoken by locals of all ages. Other common languages spoken on the island are French, German and Russian.
• The physical relief of the island is dominated by two mountain ranges, the Troodos Mountains and the smaller Kyrenia Range, and the central plain they encompass, the Mesaoria.
• The culture of Cyprus is divided between the two distinct cultures of Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

HISTORY

• Cyprus was the site of early Phoenician and Greek colonies.
• In 1571 a large Turkish colony settled on the island.
• In World War I, at the outburst of conflicts with Turkey, Britain seized the island.
• Cyprus was announced a Crown colony in 1925.
• In 1955, a guerrilla war against British rule was launched by the National Organization of Cypriot Combatants.
• In 1958, Greek Cypriot nationalist leader Archbishop Makarios began profession for Cypriot independence rather than union with Greece. During this period, Turkish Cypriots began demanding that the island be divided between the Greek and Turkish populations.
• Cyprus became an independent nation in 1960, and Makarios became the country’s first president.
• Hostility between Greek and Turkish Cypriots flared up in the early 1960s, and a UN peacekeeping force was sent to the island in 1965.
• In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and gained control of 30% of northern Cyprus and displaced around 180,000 Greek Cypriots.
• In May 2004, Greek Cyprus alone became a part of the EU.

FACTS

Street in Cyprus

• Cyprus has an abundancy of sunshine for almost 300 days every year.
• Hellium cheese, popularly called halloumi, is a product of this country that was initially made during the Medieval Byzantine period. Gradually, the cheese gained popularity throughout the Middle East and slowly, it came to be widely used all over the world.
• Kolokasi is a speciality root vegetable grown in Cyprus. It is a type of sweet potato.
• Commandaria is a sweet red wine produced in Cyprus. It is reputed to be the oldest wine in the world.
• There are only 4 golf courses in Cyprus.
• The largest freshwater fish caught in Cyprus was a 31lb 4oz Mirror Carp. It was caught in the Dhypotamos reservoir between Larnaka and Limassol.
• The only horse racetrack in Cyprus can be found in Nicosia. Approximately 60 race meets are held here throughout the year.
• One of the world’s most famous shipwrecks lies off the Cypriot coast near Limassol Harbour. The Zenobia, with its cargo of vehicles, sunk in 1980.
• Traffic in Cyprus drives on the left-side of the road.
• Life expectancy of men in Cyprus is 76; life expectancy of women in Cyprus is 80.

Bellapais Abbey, Kyrenia

• Single bus ticket €1
• Glass of beer €3.50-5
• Continental breakfast €3-6,  Lunch meal €9-13,  Dinner meal €15-20
• Local cigarettes €2.70,  Import Cigarettes €3.40
• Pint of Beer (supermarket) €1.25,  (bar) €2.20

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Beach in Cyprus

• Cyprus is a remarkably safe country, with very little violent crime.
• Cars and houses often go unlocked.
• With that said however, it is wise to be careful when accepting drinks from strangers, and be aware of muggings.

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Sea Caves Near Cape Greko

• Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters.
• During summer season, the temperatures can go as high as 40 ºC.
• During winter, temperatures remain pleasant, but there can be snow and rainfall in the interior Troodos Mountains.
• Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry.
• The best time to travel to Cyprus is during summer when blue skies are guaranteed, and gentle sea breezes moderate the heat on the coastal resorts.

Kykkos Monastery

Kykkos Monastery

• Lies 20 km west of Pedoulas
• One of the wealthiest and best-known monasteries in Cyprus.
• The monastery lies at an altitude of 1318 meters on the north west face of Troodos Mountains.
• There are no remains of the original monastery as it was burned down many times.

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Bellapais Abbey

• Located in the village of Bellapais.
• It was built by monks of the Premonstratensian order in the 13th century

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Coral Bay

• Coral Bay is a popular tourist resort in the Peyia municipality 6 km north of the city of Paphos.
• The coast to the west and to the east of coral bay is characterized by rocky headlands and sea caves.
• Coral Bay itself is a 600m crescent of soft white sand, enclosed by a pair of limestone headlands

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Cyprus Archaeological Museum

• This museum was established to collect, study and display archaeological artifacts from all over the island.
• Some of the exhibits are as old as 8,500 years.

Ayia Napa

• Ayia Napa is a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus, famous for its sandy beaches.
• In recent years, apart from being a family holiday destination, it has become a ‘party capital’ similar to Ibiza, Rimini, and Mykonos.

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Baths of Aphrodite

• A romantic side trip from Paphos is a visit to the natural grotto on the Akamas Peninsula
• Legend has it that the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, used to take her baths here

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Communication Etiquette:
• Extremely respectful of hierarchy
– Age and position
• When meeting – shake hands and maintain direct eye contact
– Many Cypriots lower their eyes as a sign of respect
– Don’t shake hands with women
• Say goodbye to everyone individually when leaving

Business Etiquette:
– Cypriots prefer face to face meetings – instead of on the phone or in writing
– Takes time to develop relationships
– Their loyalty will be to you as a person – not specifically your company
– Avoid confrontation
– Meetings are never on a strict agenda
– Great deal of bargaining – they are skilled negotiators
– Opening bids should have great amount of room for bargaining
– Business dress is similar to European style
– Men – dark suits, conservative business suits
– Women – a conservative business suit or dress