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Being one of the top 10 smallest countries in Europe, Cyprus has a lot to offer! From the pristine beaches to delicious food, and amazing monuments- Cyprus has it all. Keep on reading to discover the most interesting facts about Cyprus.
You will be surprised how many awesome Cyprus facts is there to share!
Cyprus Is A Tax Haven
Rich people from around the world are locating their money in Cyprus because of the low taxes. They also can get Cypriot citizenship, as long as they will invest a certain amount of money in the country’s real estate.
Even though Cyprus is not the top tax haven out there, it’s still profitable to keep money there.
Halloumi Originated From Cyprus
Most people think that famous halloumi cheese originated from Greece. The truth is different- Halloumi was first produced in Cyprus.
This delicious cheese made of the mix of sheep’s, goat’s and cow’s milk is a food you need to try in Cyprus!
The Island Is Divided Between Two Countries [One Is Not Officially Recognized]
There are two nations on the island of Cyprus:
- Republic of Cyprus
- Northern Cyprus
The second one is called the “puppet state of Turkey”, as the only country that officially recognized it is Turkey.
Northern Cyprus is somehow independent, however, since the majority of people living on the island are Greek Cypriots, the Turkish Cypriots are not allowed to form their own country.
The Cyprus dispute is an ongoing conflict that is not solved yet. The conflict is not military though, it’s perfectly safe to travel to Cyprus.
Cyprus Is One Of The World’s Two Countries That Have a Map On Its Flag
There are only two countries in the world that have the shape of their lands shown on the flags: Cyprus and Kosovo.
Apart from the island’s shape on Cyprus’ flag, you can also see 2 olive branches there. They symbolize the peace between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Nicosia Is The Only City In The World That Is A Capital Of Two Countries
One of the fun Cyprus facts is that the two countries that are located on the island are sharing the capital!
Nicosia is the biggest city on the island and it’s the capital of both Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Don’t think Nicosia is a metropolis- it has a population of only 110,000 people.
The other name for Nicosia is Lefkosia. One of the interesting facts about Cyprus is that its capital is the southernmost of all European Union member states.
It’s One Of The Four Countries in Europe That Has A Left-Hand Traffic
Driving around in Cyprus may be quite tricky if you are not used to left-hand traffic.
Currently, there are only four countries in Europe that have street rules like that: Cyprus, United Kingdom, Malta, and Ireland.
Cyprus Was Depended on The Bristish Kingdom For Many Years
One of the reasons why Cyprus has a left-hand traffic is that the country was dependent on the UK for many years. It was either a part of British Empire or its colony.
Cyprus became an independent country in 1960.
Cyprus Is The Third-Largest Medditerean Island
Sicily is the biggest and Sardinia is a runner-up.
Easy to notice, Cyprus is the biggest Medditerean island that is also a country. Both Sicily and Sardinia belongs to Italy.
The Oldest Perfume In The World Was Found In Cyprus
Isn’t it one of the most interesting Cyprus facts? It’s where the world’s oldest perfume was found. More about it here.
Cyprus Is One Of The Warmest European Countries
If you hate cold and snow but you still want to live in Europe, there is no better place to go than Cyprus.
It’s always warm in this country. Even though it may be a bit chilly in the winter, it’s usually sunny. The average annual temperature in Cyprus is more or less 24°C (75°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) at night.
During the winter, the temperature during a day is around 22°C (71.6°C) which is pretty much the same as during the summer days in the cold European countries such as Estonia, Finland, or Norway. So for some, the weather may be good enough to swim in the sea all year round.
Aphrodite Was Born In Cyprus
According to the legend, the famous Greek love goddess, Aphrodite, was born in Cyprus.
She emerged from the sea foam in today’s Petra tou Romiou in Paphos. It’s believed that if you want to find true love, be beautiful, young, and fertile, you need to swim around the Aphrodite rock three times.
That’s the main reason why Petra tou Romiou is one of the most popular places to visit in Cyprus.
More Cats Than People Live In Cyprus!
One of the most interesting facts about Cyprus is that the population of cats living on the island is higher than the population of people!
It’s estimated that 1.5 million cats are inhabiting the country, thus it may be easily called the Cat Island.
Brandy Sour Is The Most Famous Cyprus Drink
There is no better way to cool off and chill out on a sunny day than having a glass (or two!) of Brandy Sour.
This alcoholic drink, originating from Cyprus, is a mix of Brandy, lemon juice, sugar, soda, and ice.
Most Cypriots Don’t Like Fish
Although it’s not true for the entire population of Cyprus, most Cypriots don’t like fish!
It’s really odd, considering the fact that the entire country is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea which is filled with delicious seafood.
There Is No Train Network In Cyprus
One of the fun facts about Cyprus is that there is no railway system in this country!
If you want to catch a train in Cyprus, it’s not possible. The other countries that have no trains are Iceland, Qatar, Yemen, Malta, and Mauritius.
Cyprus In Numbers
- 89% of Cypriots are the members of the Church of Cyprus (Greek Orthodox Church)
- about 1.1 million people live in Cyprus
- the total area of Cyprus is 9,251 km2 (3,572 sq mi)
- there are over 300 sunny days in Cyprus annually
- around 4 million tourists visit Cyprus annually
- there are 65 Blue Flag Beaches in Cyprus
- Cyprus and Cypriots hold 15 Guinness World Records
- there are 3 UNESCO sites in Cyprus (more here)
- Cyprus’ highest point is Mount Olympus- 1,951 m (6401 ft)
The Most Famous Cypriots And People Connected With Cyprus
Here are some of the most famous people that were either born, died, or have been living in Cyprus.
- Zeno of Citium, the founder of stoicism
- Hal Ozsan, an actor, famous for his role in Dawson’s Creek
- Paul the Apostle that has been evangelizing on this island
- Barnabas, one of the most prominent Christian disciples
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We hope you liked this list of interesting facts about Cyprus. What other Cyprus interesting facts should be on here? Comment and let us know!
