What do you need to know about Cyprus

Cyprus the birth place of Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty.

The Greek colonists gave it the name of Kypros from the Cyprus which grew on the island and it means copper. Cyprus is the third largest and third most populous island in the Eastern Mediterranean also one of the sunniest countries in Europe with 340 days of sunshine which makes it an absolute holiday paradise. Cyprus has an excellent location in Eastern Mediterranean ocean between three continents Europe, Asia and Africa and it was a strategic location for many empires. Cyprus has population of 1,200,000 inhabitants and the capital is called Nicosia. In 2004 1st May, Republic of Cyprus was an official member of European Union and since 1st January 2008 Republic of Cyprus joined the Eurozone. Cyprus after revolution gained independence from British empire on 1 October 1960. About 78 percent are Greek Cypriots (most of them Orthodox Christians) and about 18 percent are Turkish Cypriots (most of them Sunni Muslims). The division of Cyprus started in 20th of July 1974 by Turkish intruders. Nowadays, Cyprus is divided into two ethnic groups 99.5 % of Greek Cypriots now live in the Republic of Cyprus and 98.7% of Turkish Cypriots now live in Northern Cyprus. Moreover, 58 percent of the Island belongs to Greek Cypriots and 36 percent to Turkish Cypriots. Republic of Cyprus tradition is based on Greek culture, manners and customs also Greek Cypriots are spoken one of the oldest Greek dialects of the 21st century, the ancient Arcadocypriot dialect.