Cyprus, A history that spans 1000 years....

This eastern Mediterranean island is rich in natural beauty, has a wide variety of rare endemic species both in flora and fauna, magnificent ancient sites, as well as a healthy climate. The traditional hospitality of the inhabitants and a high level of services all make it attractive to the visitor. It is a land whose history and culture goes back 9.000 years so there is something for everyone - Neolithic settlements, ancient burial chambers, Greco-Roman temples and amphitheatres, Roman villas with mosaic floors, old Christian basilicas, Byzantine churches and monastries with beautiful wall-paintings, mediaeval castles, Islamic monuments, to name but a few.
The tourist industry began to grow in Cyprus in 1960 with Independence. Cyprus has since become one of the main tourist centres of the Mediterranean with tourism as the mainstay of the island's economy. In 2007, 2,1 million tourists visited the free part of the Republic of Cyprus. Most tourists come from Europe (95%), the majority from the UK. Other important tourist markets for Cyprus are the Scandinavian countries, Germany, Russia and the countries of former USSR, Switzerland, Greece and Holland. Cyprus offers visitors an opportunity for fun and relaxation, events organised throughout the year, as well as a chance to get to know its culture and taste its traditionally warm hospitality. There are plenty of sports activities as well within easy travelling distance.

Cyprus is situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean basin. Third largest of all the Mediterranean islands, after Sicily and Sardinia, its area is 9,251 square kilometres, stretching 240 km, from west to east and 96 km from north to south. The island's population is approximately 700,000.