Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean and the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean, located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel and Palestine, north of Egypt, and southeast of Greece
A very narrow band of mountains (the Kyrenia) slices across the northern edge of Cyprus. That low range of mountains reaches a maximum of 1,024 m (3,360 ft) in elevation.In the south and western portions of the island the Troodos Mountains dominate. The highest point on Cyprus, located in the center of the Troodos range, is Mount Olympus at 1,952 m (6,404 ft). To the north of Nicosia is a somewhat fertile plain called the Mesaoria, it crosses the island from west to east. There are a number of rivers crossing that plain, but none of them have water year-round.
Rivers are seasonal and only flow after heavy rain, and under those conditions, the Pedieos is the longest river in Cyprus. It rises in the Troodos Mountains, flowing northeast through the capital city of Nicosia. It then steers east, meeting the sea at Famagusta Bay. The river has a total length of approximately 100 km.
Cyprus has over 100 dams and reservoirs, and all are the island’s principal source of water for both agricultural and domestic use.
Key Cities
Key cities in Cyprus include: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka, Paphos, Famagusta and Kyrenia.
Historical, Cultural facts & Religion
In 1914, at the beginning of World War I, Cyprus was annexed by the United Kingdom. In 1925, following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Cyprus was made a Crown Colony. Between 1955 and 1959 EOKA was created by Greek Cypriots and led by George Grivas to perform enosis (union of the island with Greece).
Religion. Religion is closely tied to one’s cultural identity in Cyprus. The majority of Greek Cypriots identify as Orthodox Christians, while most Turkish Cypriots identify as Muslim. There are also small Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, Anglican and Catholic Christian communities.
Brief Country History
The first people in Cyprus were stone age farmers about 8,000 BC. By 4,000 BC they were making pottery and copper tools. By about 2,500 BC the people of Cyprus had learned to make bronze. The society of Cyprus gradually grew more sophisticated after 1,600 BC a form of writing was invented. A highly civilized society emerged in Cyprus with many towns and palaces. Trade with other parts of the Mediterranean flourished and contact with other civilizations was common.
After 800 BC a series of great empires arose in the Middle East. The first was the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians never actually conquered Cyprus but they forced its rulers to pay tribute for a short period from c 708 BC to 669 BC. Then in 545 BC, Cyprus was forced to submit to rule by the Persians. The Persians, in turn, were overthrown by the Greeks led by Alexander the Great after 333 BC. When Alexander died in 323 his empire was split between his generals. One of them called Ptolemy seized Egypt. After a period of fighting, he and his successors came to rule Cyprus and Greek culture became dominant on the island. However, a new power arose – Rome. The Romans took Cyprus in 58 BC and it became integrated into the Roman Empire.
Christianity was introduced into Cyprus by 2 men called Paul and Barnabas about 45 AD. Then in the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire split into 2 parts, East and West. Cyprus became part of the Eastern Roman Empire. When the Roman Empire in the west fell in 476 AD the Eastern part continued. It is known to us as the Byzantine Empire.
Language (s) Written & Spoken
The official languages of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. In Northern Cyprus, Turkish was made the only official language by the 1983 constitution. The everyday spoken language (vernacular) of the majority of the population is Cypriot Greek, and that of Turkish Cypriots is Cypriot Turkish.
Important Types of Commerce in Cyprus
Cyrus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia. Ancient Cyprus was a notable copper producer with mines being exploited as early as the 2500 BC. Today copper, asbestos, iron pyrites, and gypsum have contributed significantly to the external trade. Here are the most important industries in Cyprus.
- Industry and Manufacturing
- Mining
- Agricultural
- Tourism
- Banking and Financial Services
Language Services US and others will provide working with Cyprus
Greek and Turkish being the official language spoken in Cyprus becomes a basic requirement of an individual or company when planning to do business in Cyprus. The translation should be chosen depends upon the business requirements to ensure industry-specific terminology is correctly translated, and you receive professional, accurate and well-informed interpretation every time. Professional Greek and Turkish translation requirement can be both general and specialized, including technical, medical and scientific topics, specialized in different areas of the economy, law, medicine, science and technology.
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