Cyprus

Cyprus is a country in Western Asia, on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
The name of the country comes from the Greek kyparisos - "cypress".
The capital is Nicosia.
The area is 9251 km2. Population is 763 thousand people. Administrative division: 6 districts. Form of government – Republic.
The head of state is the President.
The highest legislative body is the House of Representatives.
The supreme executive body is the Council of Ministers.
Big cities: Limassol.
Official language:
Greek, Turkish.
Religion:
80% - Orthodox, 20% profess Islam of the Sunni type.
Ethnic composition:
80% - Greek Cypriots, 18% - Turks.
Currency:
The Cyprus pound = 100 cents.
Climate:
The climate on the island is subtropical Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild, relatively rainy winters. Rains usually fall from late October to April. The climate in Cyprus is considered the healthiest in the world. The number of sunny days per year is 340. The average temperature in January is + 10-15 ° C, in July + 25-30 ° C, precipitation is 300-1300 mm per year.
Flora
In the foothills and on the plains (up to a height of 500 m) thickets of evergreen bushes (makvis, frigana) predominate. Forests are preserved mainly in the mountains and occupy about 20% of the territory, and they consist of oak, cypress, Aleppo pine, giant cacti. There are groves of lemon and apple trees. In total, the island has 1890 different types of trees, including endemic. The flora of Cyprus is called a botanical paradise. Anemones grow in the forests, and along the edges of roads and on wastelands - asphodels, which in ancient times were considered mysterious colors of the underground kingdom.
Fauna
The fauna of Cyprus is poorer than flora. There are wild sheep (mouflons), chameleons, lizards, turtles, squirrels, caresses, wild rabbits and snakes. Of the birds, which have more than 300 species on the island, there are patches, big tits, jays, crested ravens, crossbills, larks, nightingales, burial eagles and vultures.
Landmarks
The remains of the land of Colossi, the ruins of the Mycenaean colony of Curium and the Phoenician city of Ama-Tus, Greek gymnasiums and temples, Byzantine monasteries, castles of the Crusaders, Venetian castle of the XII century, Gothic cathedrals, Turkish mosques. The Cyprus holidays are magnificent, including a parade of flowers.
Useful information for tourists
Greek Cypriots are friendly, hospitable people. In conversations with them, it is better not to touch upon the occupation of part of the island by the Turks.
For photography and filming in state museums, you need to obtain a special permit, and the request must be sent in writing. It is forbidden to photograph a border zone between two parts of Cyprus, soldiers and military targets.
When visiting monasteries and churches, women should cover their shoulders, must wear skirts, no trousers; men must be in trousers, and not in shorts. In addition, in churches, as a rule, photography and video recording are prohibited.
Despite the dominance of the metric system of measures and weights, the main measure of weight in Cyprus is the drachma (100 drachma is equal to 320 grams).
Tipping in a restaurant is usually 10% of the bill and 3% - goes towards the Cyprus tourism organization. In the hotel it is customary to leave a few coins for the maid. In a taxi the amount is usually rounded up to a larger amount.