Where is Cyprus located: world map

Where is Cyprus, lost in the turquoise of the Mediterranean? The island became the crossroads of Asia and Europe. After all, it is divided into two worlds: the European south and the Turkish north.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. In size, it is second only to Sardinia and Sicily. In the list of countries with the smallest territory, Cyprus ranks 12th between Brunei and Lebanon. More than a million people live on the island: almost 850 thousand people in the southern part and 310 thousand in the north.

The contours of Cyprus on the map resemble a leaf with an elongated tail that has fallen into the sea. The island is indeed stretched for 230 km in length, and at its widest point reaches 100 km.

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Neighbors of Cyprus

Geographically, the island of Cyprus on the world map is closer to Asia. Its nearest neighbors are Turkey, Egypt and Syria. But also nearby are the islands of the European neighbor Greece. Time zone in Cyprus: GMT +2

• The closest neighbor is Turkey. It is located only 70 km.
• To Syria - 105 km
• To Lebanon - 250 km
• To Egypt - 350 km
• To Greece (Island of Rhodes) - 500 km (800 km to Crete)

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Two Cyprus: North and South

The island is divided into two parts: southern (European, Republic of Cyprus) and northern (Turkish part, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus).

Until 1960, Cyprus was a British colony. In 1974, the northern part was occupied by Turkish troops, and since then the island has been divided into two parts.

• The Republic of Cyprus is a European state that is a parliamentary-presidential republic. It is part of the European Union, but does not belong to the Schengen area. Southern Cyprus is sometimes called Greek, because the inhabitants of the Republic of Cyprus are mostly Greeks, or rather Greek Cypriots. In 2003, the Republic of Cyprus unanimously ratified the EU Accession Treaty. And since 2004 it has become a full member of the European Union. In 2008, the euro was introduced as the official currency in the country.
• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an unrecognized state (except Turkey). Northern Cyprus is controlled by its Turkish neighbor.

Legally, the island is divided into four parts:

• The south of the island is the Republic of Cyprus.
• The northern part is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
• The green line on the island is the "buffer zone" between South and North Cyprus, where the UN peacekeeping mission is located.
• Two British military bases, occupying about 3% of the entire area of Cyprus.

Cyprus is divided into 6 main areas, which are named based on the names of the main cities. These are Nicosia, Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, Kyrenia.

Interestingly, Nicosia is the capital of the northern and southern parts at once. This is a divided page of the world, which is simultaneously the capital for two republics.

Cyprus has two official languages: Greek and Turkish.

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What seas wash Cyprus

Cyprus is surrounded on all sides by the Mediterranean Sea. But the explorers of the seas and oceans at one time decided to divide the Mediterranean into several "regions", and each part was given its own name. As a result, Cyprus is washed by the Levantine, Cypriot and Cilician seas, which are part of the Mediterranean. Each sea has its own characteristics:

• The Cyprus Sea washes the southern coast of the island. The water is warm almost 6 months a year: you can swim as much as you like. And storms and winds almost do not look into this corner. The beaches are distinguished by their clean and transparent water: many of them have won the prestigious Blue Flag award. The Cyprus Sea is the safest. Jellyfish and marine predators will not disturb you while swimming.
• The Levantine Sea is located in the eastern part of the island. Crystal clear warm water and calm waters bathe Paphos.
• The Cilician Sea is the northern part, located between Turkey and Cyprus. The sea was named after the state of the same name, which in ancient times existed on the northern coast of the island.

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When can you swim?

Cyprus is one of the leaders in the number of sunny days in the European Union: 320 days a year! They say that you can swim in Cyprus all year round due to mild winters. But still, in winter the water in the sea is quite cool and suitable only for "walruses". But in early spring, the water warms up quickly. The main thing is that Cyprus has a calm sea. Storms and hurricanes almost never visit this corner of paradise.

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Mountains in Cyprus

Cyprus is a volcanic island that appeared due to an eruption from the bowels of the earth. Is it any wonder that the sand on the beaches is black, gray and coarse: this is a memory of the volcanic origin of the island. And the middle of the island and its western part are inhabited by mountains rising above the plain. The name of the majestic mountains is Troodos. In the northern part of Cyprus, the Kyrenia Range stretches.

The highest point in Cyprus is Mount Olympus, which goes up almost 2 km. The maximum height is 1952 m. In winter, snow falls on the mountain, and a ski resort with lifts begins its work.

You can’t climb the peak of the mountain itself, because there is a military observatory there.

The Kyrenia Ridge stretches for almost 150 km along the Northern coast, and its highest point above sea level is 1230 m.

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Cyprus is Greece?

This is a private question for beginners who have little idea where the island is located on the map. Sometimes Cyprus is simply confused with Greek Crete due to the similarity of names. No, Cyprus is not part of Greece. But historically, Cyprus has strong ties with Greece: they are united by cultural and business ties. When you get to Cyprus, it really seems that you found yourself on Greek soil: Greek speech sounds, Greek dishes and fragrant olive oil are served in charming taverns. And the whole island is full of ancient Greek legends, antique statues and deities. Everything here bears the imprint of ancient and great cultures - the Greeks, Byzantium, the Roman Empire...

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How to get to Cyprus

Air traffic

• There are two international airports in South Cyprus: Paphos and Larnaca. They receive planes from different parts of the world.
• You can fly to Northern Cyprus only from Turkey: planes from other countries do not fly to the airports of an unrecognized state. There are two airports in Northern Cyprus. One of them is not working now, so all flights are accepted by Ercan, located 25 km from Nicosia. Every week it receives about 90 flights from Turkey. Flying Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, Atlas global. Departure is carried out from such Turkish cities as Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara, Izmir, Adjana and others.

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By sea

1. You can sail to Northern Cyprus by ferry. They are divided into two types: fast and slow, which also carry cargo. The fast ferry crossing takes about 2.5 hours. The cost is about 10-15 euros. Slow - about 6-10 hours. For example, from Kyrenia to Turkey about 6 hours.

• Girne - Alanya: 215-265 lira
• Alanya - Girne: 190 lire
• Girne - Tasucu: 175-220 lire
• Tasucu - Girne: 96-160 lire
• Girne - Mersin: 140-205 lira

Ticket prices depend on the day of the week. Travel time is 2-3.5 hours depending on the route. Ferries leave several times a week.

2. Ferries to South Cyprus depart from Greece, Israel and Egypt. There are up to three ferries a day between Greece and Cyprus. For example, a cruise from Greece to Limassol costs about 250 euros. But the current schedule should be clarified on the spot. Only cargo is now sent to the Egyptian Port Said, and a ferry from Beirut is also in question.

And if you want to take a trip to the Mediterranean, there are cruises from Varna through the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Popular routes are Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Israel.

Southern Cyprus, although it belongs geographically more to Asia, is a European state. And once on the island, you will hear Greek speech around. But it is worth crossing the “buffer zone” and you find yourself in another world, practically on the Turkish coast. This is what makes the island unique: in one trip you can see two worlds, coming into contact with different cultures living side by side on an island surrounded by the turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea.

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