Facts about Cyprus - What you didn’t know

Cyprus is located in the mediterranean sea and is the furthest east of all the islands. There are many facts about Cyprus from past to present that you may not know. The island has always been famed for it’s sun, receiving 340 days each year. That is nearly double the amount of sunshine received in most parts of the UK. On average Cyprus only receives 40 days of rainfall each year, that isn’t a lot of rain at all. In this blog post I have compiled a list of interesting and fun facts about the year round island. Have a read and you will find some interesting facts about Cyprus that you may not know!

• Through archaeological evidence it is suggested that people first lived on the island of Cyprus 10,000 years ago.
• During the Copper and Bronze ages Cyprus was once the wealthiest nation in the known world. The island’s rich natural copper resources were exported.
• During the reign of the Franks and the Venetians, Famagusta was once the richest city in the known world.
• In Cyprus there are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these are Paphos, The painted Churches in the Troodos Mountains and Choirokoitia.
• One of the most important Neolithic settlement sites in Europe was that of Choirokoitia
• On 1st October Cyprus’ Independence day is celebrated.
• The oldest monastic site in Cyprus is the Stavrouvouni Monastery in the Troodos Mountains. The monastery was founded in the 4th century by St Helena.
• One of the biggest and most important historic religious sites in Cyprus is The Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis near Kourion. It was built in the 5th century BC.
• In 45AD, Cyprus became a province of the Roman Empire. It was also the first country to be governed by a Christian.
• Cyprus is home to one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts.
• Geographically speaking Cyprus is a ophiolite. Rising from the sea around 20 million years ago.
• In Cyprus there are more than 1,950 species of flowering plants. Of which 140 can only be found in Cyprus.
• Around Cyprus 260 species of fish circle the warm Mediterranean waters.
• Green Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles can be seen nesting in Cyprus, one of the few places in the world.
• In Cyprus more than 45 beaches have been awarded the EU Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety.
• Every Autumn around 10,000 Greater Flamingos temporarily stop over to feed at the salt lakes near Larnaca Airport. This is during their migration South to a warmer climate.
• In Cyprus, traffic drives on the left-side of the road.

I hope this blog post has given you an insight into interesting facts that you may not know about the island of Cyprus. Feel free to leave us a comment to let us know which fact interested you the most?

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