Cyprus - The Island

With 300 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is a hot tourist destination, and the island’s history is equally hot. Cyprus got its name 3,500 years ago when valuable copper—kypros—was found and this attracted hordes of Greeks and made the island into a symbol of power. Ten different peoples have ruled the island over 27 centuries. When Turkey invaded the most fertile part in 1974, the island was divided into two. The Greek Cypriots, 80 per cent of the population, are in the south, and the Turkish Cypriots are in the north illegally occupied area by the Turks.

Few countries live their history with such passion. From the golden beaches with their spectacular watersports, through citrus trees, pines and the dizzy Troodos mountains, to the delightful areas, Cyprus is a colourful adventure. See Nicosia, the city divided by a wall, discover the food and culture and participate in the pulsating nightlife.