Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and it was once the center for the followers of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess. Cyprus has a 403 mile long coastline and is generally wooded and mountainous. The climate is quite ideal in many respects with the summers being hot and dry and the spring quite pleasant. During winters, the Troodos Mountains are covered with snow and they offer some good skiing in the morning with sunbathing on the beach on the same day in the afternoon.
Cyprus is in a very strategic position in the East Mediterranean region and because of this it has always been targeted by all the powerful empires in that are. In its history, it has been invaded by Greeks, Assyrians, Persians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Byzantines, and Romans. It was ruled by the Turks from the 16th through the 19th century before it became a British colony in the year 1914.
However, the ups and downs in the history of Cyprus continue even after its independence in 1960. Since then the island has become a controversy between the Greeks and the Turks. Approximately 84% of the population is Greek while 12% is Turkish. In 1974, increasing hostility forced the United Nations to separate Cyprus through a buffer zone. This zone divides the Turkish Cypriot (to the north) and the Greek Cypriot (to the south). The zone passes right through the capital city of Nicosia and while negotiations continue to establish a single unified federal state, there have been no results so far.
The northern and southern divisions both have decent tourist facilities. The best time to visit Cyprus is either the spring or the fall when the temperature is warm enough to prompt you for a swim and yet not stifling or uncomfortable. Rains fall in January and February. Snowfall is also experienced in the highest regions of the Troodos Mountains from January through March. The hottest months are July and August and should be avoided by all tourists.
If you intend to travel by air, then the major international airport in Cyprus is the Larnaca International Airport (LCA) that is located to the southwest of Larcana about 30 miles south of Nicosia. Note that there are no direct flights between the United States and Cyprus. British Airways and Cyprus Airways both have direct flights from London to Larnaca and Paphos. You can also board Cyprus Airways from Manchester and other continental and Mediterranean cities. Other airlines connecting to Cyprus include KLM and Swissair. Cyprus Turkish Airlines, Istanbul Airlines, and Turkish Airlines all have flights to Northern Cyprus that go via Turkey with a change of plane at Istanbul. When planning your trip, please remember that if you are coming from Northern Cyprus then you will not be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus unless you are returning from Nicosia. Typical flight time from New York to Cyprus is 12 hours.
Other options include the use of boats and ferries. There are passenger ships connecting Larnaca and Limassol with many Greek, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern ports. Ferries are frequent between Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
Cyprus Overview