Cyprus Fast Facts

Orientation:  
Cyprus is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily and Sardinia). Its capital is Nicosia and it is divided into six administrative districts: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos. The whole of the Kyrenia district and part of the Famagusta, Larnaca and Nicosia districts lie within the Turkish-occupied zone.

Geo coordinates:  
35 00 N, 33 00 E 

Area and Size:   
Total including Cyprus North: 9,250 sq km (3,300 is in the occupied north)
Total Land Area: 9,240 sq km
Total Water Area: 10 sq km 


Land boundaries:  

Total: 151.4 km (approx)
Including the UK border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 47km and Dhekelia 103 km (approx) 

Coastline:  
648 km 

Cyprus Climate:  

Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate with mild winters and long hot summers during which rain rarely falls.  Maximum termperatures reach 36C in Aug. on the coasts and 38C inland, with a winter minimum of 10C on the coasts. During the months of June, July and Aug, rain falls on less than one day a month.  The maximum sea temperature of 26C occurs in Aug. and Sep. Temperatures in the mountains are appreciably lower and Troodos is snow-covered in winter. Spring is a good time to visit Cyprus before the temperature rises too high and the countryside is fresh from winter rains.
 
Terrain:  
Large central plain with rocky mountains to the north and the south; mostly scattered but significant large plains along the southern coast 

Elevations:
 
The Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
The Highest point: Mount Olympus which is approx  1,952 m 

Natural resources in Cyprus:  

Large copper deposits, gypsum, timber, salt.

Use of Land Area 

Cultivable land: 10.80 %
Semi and permanent crops: 4.30 %
Other types: 84.80% (2006) 

Irrigated land:  
Over 400 sq km (2004) 

Natural hazards:  

Medium - Low earthquake activity. Drought a big issue in 2008. Dust Storms westward from Syria

Environment - current issues:  

Current water resouce issues are a big problem at the moment (2008).  Cyprus has no natural reservoir catchments, rainfall and the variability in rainfall is characteristic for the island and droughts are frequent and sometimes severe. The Statistical analysis of rainfall in Cyprus has over recent years revealed a decreasing trend of rainfall amounts in the last 30 years. Earthquakes althought usually not destructive, occur from time to time.

Emergency numbers:

Police   199
Ambulance 199
Fire     199
Pharmacy    192


Currency

The currency is now the Euro.  All the towns have branches of the major banks, including the Bank of Cyprus as well as the international divisions of European bansk.  Normal banking hours are 08:30 to noon.

Country Full Name Republic of Cyprus	Electrical Plugs   240V 50Hz	Time Zones GMT/UTC GMT +2
Population 788,500	Languages Spoken Official: Greek, Turkish	Country Dialing Code +357
Currency Name: Euro Code: EUR Symbol: €	Weights & Measures Metric