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| Location | |
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| Basic information | |
| Capital | Nicosia |
| Goverment | Republic |
| Currency | Euros (€) |
| Area | 9,250 square kilometers (of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish region) |
| Population | 784,301 (July 2006 est.) |
| Language | The Greek language (official), Turkish (official) |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4% |
| Power system | 240V/50Hz (UK plug) |
| Phone number | 357 |
| Internet TLD | .cy |
| time zone | UTC 2 |
Cyprus is a country belonging to Europe.Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, to the south Turkey. After Sicily and SardiniaCyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is geographically part of Asia.
Three countries occupy the island: Republic of Cyprus (a member of the European Union) is a state with many international recognition. However, it only controls territory in the south. Republic Northern Cyprus Turkey operate as a separate country in fact. The British military base areas Akrotiri and Dhekelia, while legally separate from either republic, have open borders with Republic of Cyprus.
This article covers only the southern territories of the island administered by Republic of Cyprus. Information regarding the rest of the island is given in the article Northern Cyprus. This is a factual difference and is not an endorsement of any party's claim to the dispute. |
overview
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, and one of the most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2.4 million visitors each year. A former British colony, it became an independent republic in 1960[3] and a member of the Commonwealth in 1961. Cyprus is one of the most developed economies in the region, and has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004.
In 1964, Turkey attempted to invade Cyprus but was strongly condemned by US President Lyndon B. Johnson in a letter dated 5 June 1964.
In 1974, Turkey used a coup attempt by Greek Cypriot nationalists as an opportunity to invade and occupy the northern part of the island. The Turkish invasion led to the evacuation of thousands of Cypriots and the establishment of a breakaway Turkish Cypriot political entity in the north, recognized only by Turkey. This event and the political situation that followed it are still controversial issues.
The Republic of Cyprus is legally sovereign over the entire island of Cyprus and its surrounding waters except for small portions under a treaty with Great Britain as sovereign military bases. The Republic of Cyprus is in fact divided into four main parts:
- The area under the actual control of the Republic of Cyprus, comprising approximately 59% of the island's area to the south;
- The Turkish occupation of the north,[9] calling itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, covers about 37% of the island and is recognized only by Turkey;
The Green Line is controlled by the United Nations, dividing the two areas above, accounting for about 3% of the island's area; and two British Sovereign Base Areas (Akrotiri and Dhekelia),[10] with approximately 3% of the island's area.
Region
Cyprus is divided into 6 administrative regions, each named after its administrative capital. Since 1974, the entire Kyrenia region, most of the Famagusta district, and the northern part of the Nicosia district have been occupied by Turkish forces. The Turkish Cypriot community runs the fields. The Republic of Cyprus administers the following districts:
City
- Nicosia (also written Nikosia, Lefkosia "Lefkosa") - the divided capital
- LarnacaLarnaka
- LimassolLemesos "Limasol"
- PaphosPafos "Baf"
Other destinations
Arrive
Visa
Minimum period of travel document
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Cyprus is a member of the Schengen Agreement but has not yet fully implemented the treaty. For EU and EFTA citizens (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), an officially approved identification card (or passport) is sufficient for entry. Under no circumstances do they need a residence visa for any length of time. Others will generally need an entry passport.
Traveling to/from any other country (Schengen or not) from/to Bulgaria will require normal immigration checks, but traveling to/from another EU country you will not have to go through customs checks.
Ask at your travel agent, call your local consulate or embassy of Bulgaria.
The list of visas is already in line with the countries in the Schengen area that fully implement the agreement.
Only nationals of the following non-EU/EFTA countries do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area: Albania*, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil , Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino , Serbia * / **, Seychelles, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan *** (China), United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, additional British Nationals (overseas) , Hong Kong or Macao.
These visa-exempt non-EU/EFTA nationals may not be allowed to stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen area as a whole, may not work during the break (although a Some countries in the Schengen area do not allow certain countries to work - see below). The calculation period starts once you enter any country in the Schengen area and does not reset when you leave a Schengen country for another country. However, New Zealand citizens can stay for more than 90 days if they only visit separate Schengen countries.
If you are a non-EU/EFTA national (even if you are visa exempt, unless you are Andorra, Monégasque or San Marino), make sure your passport is stamped even when you enter entering and leaving the Schengen Area. Without an entry stamp you may be considered an overstay when you try to leave the Schengen Area, without an exit stamp you may be refused entry the next time you try entering the Schengen area as you may be considered overstayed on your previous visit. If you are unable to get a passport stamp, make sure you keep documents such as boarding passes, transportation tickets and ATM slips that can help convince the border control officer that you were at legally in the Schengen area.
Note that
British citizens with the right to reside in the United Kingdom, and British overseas territories people connected to Gibraltar, are considered "United Kingdom Citizens for European Union purposes" and are therefore eligible. conditions for unlimited access to the Schengen area. British citizens in an overseas territory do not have the right to reside in the UK, and British subjects do not have the right to reside in the UK, nor do UK citizens and UK protected persons say general, no visa required. However, all foreign nationals other than UK territory connecting only to the Cyprus sovereign base area are eligible for British citizenship and subsequently unlimited access to the Schengen area.
Also note that
(*) People of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia need a biometric passport to enjoy visa-free travel.
(**) Serbian passport holders by the Serbian department coordinator (residents of Kosovo with Serbian passports) need a visa.
(***) Taiwanese residents need their ID number listed in their passport to enjoy visa-free travel.
By air
Cyprus' main airport is Larnaca International Airport (LCA) located in the suburbs Larnaka.
The main international airport is located in the southwest Nicosia now located on the green route separating the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus - it has been out of use since 1974.
Cyprus is served by many different airlines, the main one being Cypriot Cyprus Airways. There are flight connections with most major European cities, eg London, Birmingham, Manchester, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Milan) and many Eastern European countries. There are also connections to most Middle Eastern capitals. There are no flights to Turkey in the south.
There is a regular and cheap public bus route (1€) from the airport to central Larnaca, but it is still poorly signposted to this route. The bus stop is on the departure hall (upper floor) and has a sign with a series of three-digit bus numbers. The bus goes to "Finikoudes", at the beach in Larnaca where the bus to other distinatons in Cyprus leaves (see "get around" section).
There is also a direct bus service Larnaca Airport - Nicosia, Nicosia - Larnaca Airport provided by Kapnos Airport Shuttle. The journey takes about 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic and hours), and one way ticket costs 8€ per person. There is an all-night bus service. More information about services and timetables can be found at the bus services page: http://www.kapnosairportshuttle.com.
There are also charter flights to airports west of Paphos.