CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
The currency is the Cyprus pound, C£, which is divided into 100 cents. The exchange rate as of January 1997 is 1 C£=2.1 U.S. dollars, or 2.9 Canadian dollars.
All major credit cards are accepted at most places.
Banking hours for the public: Monday-Friday 08:15-12:30. Centrally located banks provide "afternoon tourist services" from Tuesday to Friday. Banks at the Larnaka and Pafos International Airports provide services throughout the day, as well as a night service for most flights. Banking facilities are also available at the Lemesos Harbor.
FOR SPECIALS IN CYPRUS
Connect to http://www.jcc.com.cy/visa/LAND AND CLIMATE
A varied topography features sandy beaches, rolling agricultural fields, wild cedar forests, and rugged mountain landscapes. Average winter temperatures in the low 60’s F (17°C) and summer in the high 80’s F (32°C). Cyprus averages 340 days of sunshine a year.
What to Wear . . . and When
Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine year round. Long dry summers and mild winters are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.Summer is a time of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas.
Winters are mild, with some rain and snow on Troodos Mountains.
March
Winter apparel with medium-weight wear.
April, May
Blossom season. Medium-weight and summer apparel: Light woollies or long sleeved cotton for the evenings.
June, July, August
Very light-weight summer clothing. Ideal for swimming and all beach/water activities.
September, October
Light-weight apparel for the day and medium-weight for the evenings in October.
November
Medium-weight apparel. Light sweaters.
December, January, February
Winter clothing — not heavy coats though!
GOVERNMENT
Cyprus, an independent sovereign republic, has a presidential system of democratic government. Free elections are held every five years for the election of President and Members of Parliament. Over twenty years ago, in 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, resulting in 37% of the island coming under Turkish occupation. This event was accompanied by the displacement of 200,000 Greek Cypriots, one third of the population, and damage to monuments and antiquities that were part of Cypriot culture. A series of U.N. General Assembly resolutions have condemned the invasion. A solution has yet to be found, despite a series of talks held since 1975. However, there have been no violent conflicts or fighting throughout this period.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Centuries of Greek culture and tradition, in connection with Roman, Venetian, and Near East cultures, have left behind a wealth of art and architecture. Ancient theaters, fortresses, temples, churches, and tombs are among the many highlights.
STATISTICS
Located at the heart of the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has a landmass of 9,251 square kilometers (3,572 square miles). Population in 1994: 730,000.
The island is demographically diverse, with 77% of the population Greek Cypriots, 18% Turkish Cypriots, and the remainder Maronites, Armenians, Latins and others.
The largest towns are Lefkosia (Nicosia) with a population of 186,000; Lemesos (Limassol) with 143,000; Larnaka with 64,000; and Pafos with 34,000.
TELEPHONES
98% of the world’s telephones are accessed automatically from Cyprus.
Call Direct
USA
via an AT&T operator
(Dial 080-90010)
via an MCI operator
(Dial 080-90000)
via a SPRINT operator
(Dial 080-90001)
Canada
(Dial 080-90012)
International
Dialing CodesCanada
001
U.S.A.
001
Cyprus
357
TIME
7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
ELECTRICITY
240 volts, a.c. 50Hz.
Sockets are usually 5 amp., or 13 amp., square - pin.VALUE-ADDED TAX
V.A.T. has been introduced in Cyprus on the purchase of all goods and services at the standard rate of 8%.
TIPPING
A 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants so a tip is not obligatory, but small change is always welcome. Taxi drivers, porters etc., appreciate a small tip.
HEALTHCARE
Throughout the Island
Ambulance, Police, Fire Service, and Night Pharmacies call 199.
All police officers speak English.
Crime in Cyprus is at a very low level.Medical Services and Hospitals
Medical treatment and assistance is offered free of charge to international tourists in case of health emergencies at the Ambulatory and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals/Institutions.CONSULATE & EMBASSY
Canadian Consulate
Margarita House, Odos Them.
Dervi, 15, Lefkosia, Tel: (02) 451630, Fax: (02) 459096United States Embassy
Metochiou & Ploutarchou, Egkomi,
Lefkosia, Tel: (02) 476100, Fax: (02) 465944
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
You’ll Need
You Won’t Need
A passport
A note to the visitors of The Republic of Cyprus
Travelers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus may enter the Republic only through the legal ports of entry: Larnaka and Pafos International Airports, or the ports of Larnaka. Lemesos and Pafos. The ports of Ammochostos (Famagusta), Keryneia and Karavostasi, as well as the airports in the part of the Republic illegally occupied by the Turkish invasion forces, have been declared by the Government as prohibited ports of entry and exit, and no passenger should enter or leave the Republic through these ports.