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General information
Cyprus is a small island in the eastern Mediterranean.
It has a population of about 700 000 people. Various nationalities exist
on the island. Most people (80% of the total population) are Greek -
Cypriot, but there are also Turkish - Cypriot, Armenians, Maronites,
Latins etc The main language used is Greek and most Cypriots are Christian
- Orthodox. |
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The flag of Cyprus is consisted of a yellow map of
the whole island, symbolizing the unification of all of its people and
two green olive branches below the map, symbolizing the peaceful living
and cooperation amongst Cypriots and other nations around the world.
On 1974, Turkish troops invaded in the island disturbing this willing for peaceful living. Since then, Turkey illegally occupies 37% of the island, taking under no concern the rights of Cypriot citizens. Thousands of Cypriots became refugees in their own country and many people are still missing. |
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The flag of Cyprus is consisted of a yellow map of
the whole island, symbolizing the unification of all of its people and
two green olive branches below the map, symbolizing the peaceful living
and cooperation amongst Cypriots and other nations around the world.
On 1974, Turkish troops invaded in the island disturbing this willing for peaceful living. Since then, Turkey illegally occupies 37% of the island, taking under no concern the rights of Cypriot citizens. Thousands of Cypriots became refugees in their own country and many people are still missing. |
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Historical
Information
Cyprus has thousands of years of history. From Cyprus passed many conquerors such as the Persians, the Ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the French, Venetians, the Turks and English. Each of the conquerors mentioned has influenced somehow the way Cyprus is today. Above: Turkish
troops on 1974 brought war and disaster on this peaceful island. Thirty
years later, some women are still looking for their missing children
or husbands. |
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The most important influence though, came by the ancient
Greeks. Since ancient Greeks came to the island, until nowadays, Greek
language and Greek civilization and culture are dominant on the island.
Cyprus became an independent state on the 16th of August, 1960. That day, Archbishop Makarios the 3rd, became the first president of the Republic of Cyprus, gaining authority from the English governor of the island. On every public building, a new flag was waving: This child, now a grown man, is still looking for his parents … |
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Nowadays, the whole island is
divided due to the Turkish occupation. Nicosia is probably the only
divided capital city around the world.
On 2004 Cyprus became an official member of the European Union. Cyprus is the only member of the European Union with a part of its country illegally occupied by another country. |
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Sight - seeing
If you visit Cyprus you will be
able to see many sights and archaeological monuments. |
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In Limassol you may visit Kolossi castle, the ancient theatre of
Curium, drink "Koumandaria" and "Zivania" at the
Limassol wine festival, or have fun at the town's carnival. Larnaca is known for its salt lake with the flamingos that fly there
every winter. It has the biggest airport in the island. If you are
in Larnaca, you can have a walk at "Phinikoudes", sit, eat,
and enjoy Cyprus hospitality. Limassol wine festival |
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Many sights of Cyprus are illegally occupied by Turkish
troops, so we can't visit them. Such sights are the Kyrenia castle and
port, Bella - bais, the town of Famagusta and Apostolos Andreas monastery.
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Cyprus food
If you visit Cyprus, you can enjoy
many delicacies of the traditional Cyprus cuisine. You can eat "mezedes"
and "souvla" as a main course, taste "halloumi",
drink traditional Cypriot wines such as "koumandaria" and
"zivania" and finish with traditional Cyprus sweets such as
"daktila" or "soutzoukkos". |
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When in Cyprus
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When in Cyprus, one can see and
do many interesting things: |
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… you can visit a traditional Cyprus home
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… or you can visit Troodos and Akamas and observe
our unique variety of plants and animals
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Hope you visit us and enjoy your stay. |
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Class E1 |
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