Cyprus Country & Tourist Information

Location
Europe, eastern Mediterranean.

Area
9,251 sq km (3,572 sq miles)

Population
748,301 (2006 estimate).

Population Density
80.9 per sq km.

Capital
Nicosia (Lefkosia).
Population: 208,900 (2001, excluding Turkish-occupied portion).

Government
Republic since 1960.

Language
The majority (approximately 80%) speaks Greek and approximately 11% speak Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect is different from mainland Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centers.

Religion
Greek Orthodox.

Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.

Head of State
President Tassos Papadopoulos since 2003.

Telephone
Country code: 357. Telecard or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Internet
Internet cafes are located in main towns and resorts, for instance, Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Agia Napa.

Media
The Cypriot media reflects the island’s political divide, with the Turkish-controlled zone in the north operating its own press and broadcasters. State-run services compete with a large number of private TV and radio stations. Relays of Greek and Turkish stations are available across the island. Newspapers on both sides of the divide are frequently critical of the authorities.

Post
There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service within Europe takes three to four days.

Post office hours: (District) Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.

Press
• Newspapers published in English include the Cyprus Financial Mirror, Cyprus Mail (daily), Cyprus Today (Turkish Cypriot) and Cyprus Weekly.
• Simirini is in Greek, while Kibris Gazette is in Turkish.
• Most English papers are available.

Radio
• Radio 1 (in Greek), Radio 2 (in English, Turkish and Armenian), Radio 3 (in Greek) and Love Radio are operated by CyBC.
• Commercial stations include Radio Proto and Astra 92.8.
• Bayrak Radio-TV operates Bayrak Radio 1 (in Turkish), Bayrak International (in English), Bayrak FM and Bayrak Klasik.
• In addition, the CTO sponsors programs for tourists Mon-Sat on 603kHz (498m) and FM94.8.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007 - December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
19 Feb Green Monday.
25 Mar Greek National Day.
1 Apr Greek Cypriot National Day.
6 Apr Greek Orthodox Good Friday.
9 Apr Greek Orthodox Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
28 May Pentecost (Kataklysmos).
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Oct Cyprus Independence Day.
28 Oct Greek National Day (Ochi Day).
24-26 Dec Christmas.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany. 
10 Mar Green Monday.
25 Mar Greek Independence Day.
1 Apr Greek Cypriot National Day. 
25 Apr Greek Orthodox Good Friday. 
28 Apr Greek Orthodox Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day. 
16 Jun Pentecost (Kataklysmos).
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Oct Cyprus Independence Day.
28 Oct Greek National Day (Ochi Day).
24-26 Dec Christmas.

Contact Information:

High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the UK
93 Park Street, London W1K 7ET, UK
Tel: (020) 7499 8272 or 7629 6288 (Cyprus Trade Center) or 5350 (consular section).
Website: www.cyprus.gov.cy
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1700; 0930-1300 (consular section).

Cyprus Tourism Organization in the UK
17 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YP, UK
Tel: (020) 7569 8800.
Website: www.visitcyprus.org.cy

Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in the USA
2211 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 462 5772 or 0873.
Website: www.cyprusembassy.net

Cyprus Tourism Organization in the USA
13 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: (212) 683 5280.
Website: www.visitcyprus.org.cy


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