Cyprus General Information
Cyprus is situated at the north-eastern end of the Mediterranean basin and is the third largest island with an area of 9,251 square kilometres.
Cyprus is an independent sovereign republic with a presidential system of government. On 1 May 2004 the Republic of Cyprus became a full member of the European Union and on 1 January 2008 joined the euro-system and introduced the euro as its official currency, replacing the Cyprus pound as the unit of account. Thus, the euro banknotes and coins (cents) are the country’s legal tender.
Cyprus is also a member of the United Nations and its specialised agencies, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and many other international organisations.
Unfortunately, Cyprus has been a divided country since the Turkish invasion of 1974. No country apart from Turkey recognises the occupied areas as a legitimate state. The military occupation, forcible division, violation of human rights, massive colonisation, cultural destruction, property usurpation and ethic segregation imposed since Turkey’s military invasion remain the main characteristics of the status on the island. Today, Turkey, an aspiring member of the European Union, still stands guilty of international aggression against a member state of the EU and the UN. The Government of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriots are aiming since 1974 to achieve a just, viable, democratic, financially viable and functional solution that will terminate the occupation and colonisation of Cyprus.
Car Hire
Self drive is the best way to travel around Cyprus. The road infrastructure is excellent. All the main international firms are represented in Cyprus, with offices in all towns. Cyprus is a relatively small island, so no matter where is your base, nowhere is too far from anywhere for a day's outing. Just get hold of a good map and head to enjoy the beauties of Cyprus.
Credit card loss
JCC Payment Systems, the main credit card transaction processing company, operates a 24 hour service for lost or stolen cards. Contact Telephone: +357 22 868 100
Churches
Visitors are requested to respect ecclesiastic traditions and not to enter churches and monasteries wearing shorts and sleeveless clothing.
Eating Hours
Breakfast is usually served between 07:00 and 10:00 in the morning. Lunch is served in restaurants between 12:00 and 15:00. Dinner is served from 19:00 till late in the evening.
Tipping
Since a 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants, tipping is not obligatory but is always welcome and appreciated.
Emergency
Dial 112 for police, fire service and ambulance.
Risk of Fire
Risk of fire is high at the Cyprus countryside especially during the summer period where the earth is dry.
Hospitals
| City | Phone |
|---|---|
| Agia Napa & Protaras | 23 200 000 |
| Lefkosia | 22 603 000 |
| Larnaka | 24 800 500 |
| Lemesos | 25 801 100 |
| Kyperounta | 25 532 021 |
| Pafos | 26 803 100 |
| Polis Chrysochous | 26 321 431 |
Police
| City | Phone |
|---|---|
| Ammochostos | 23 80 30 30 |
| Lefkosia | 22 80 20 20 |
| Larnaka | 24 80 40 40 |
| Lemesos | 25 80 50 50 |
| Pafos | 26 80 60 60 |
| Morfou | 22 80 25 25 |
Languages
Greek and Turkish language are the official languages. English is widely spoken. French, German and Russian are widely spoken within the tourism industry. Russian is spoken in almost all the companies offering professional corporate and financial consulting and fiduciary services.
Local Time
Cyprus Time is GMT +2.
Religions
The majority of Greek-Cypriots are Greek-Orthodox Christians; other religions represented on the island, include Armenians, Maronites and Roman Catholics. The Turkish-Cypriot community is predominantly Muslim.
Public Holidays in Cyprus in 2015
The days listed below are public holidays in Cyprus. All public services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on public holidays though many shops and certain services remain open in resorts and coastal areas. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not on Christmas Eve. All museums and archaeological sites remain closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year's Day |
| January 6th | Epiphany Day |
| March 14th | Green Monday |
| March 25th | Greek National Day |
| April 1st | National Anniversary Day |
| April 29th | Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church) |
| April 30th | Good Saturday (Greek Orthodox Church) |
| May 1st | Easter (Greek Orthodox Church) |
| May 1st | Labour Day |
| May 2nd | Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church) |
| June 20th | Pentecost - Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood) |
| August 15th | Assumption of the Virgin Mary |
| October 1st | Cyprus Independence Day |
| October 28th | Greek National Anniversary Day |
| December 24th | Christmas Eve |
| December 25th | Christmas Day |
| December 26th | Boxing Day |
Tourist Information Offices in Cyprus – Cyprus Tourist Organisation
| City | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lefkosia | Aristokyprou 11, Laiki Geitonia, 1011 Lefkosia | 22 67 42 64 |
| Lemessos | Ayiou Andreou 142, 3036 Lemesos | 25 36 27 56 |
| Georgiou A 22, 4047, Germasogeia, Lemesos | 25 32 32 11 | |
| Lemesos Port, service to all passengers-boats | 25 57 18 68 | |
| Platres | Olympou 4C, 4820 Platres | 25 42 13 16 |
| Larnaka | Plateia Vasileos Pavlou, 6023 Larnaka | 24 65 43 22 |
| Larnaka International Airport, 7130 Larnaka | 24 00 83 68 | |
| Pafos | Gladstonos 3, 8046 Pafos | 26 93 28 41 |
| Pafos International Airport, 8320 Pafos | 26 00 73 68 | |
| Kato Pafos | 63A Poseidonos, 8042 Kato Pafos | 26 93 05 21 |
| Polis | Vasileos Stasioikou A 2, 8820 Polis Chrysochous | 26 32 24 68 |
| Ayia Napa | Leoforos Kryou Nerou 12, 5330 Agia Napa | 23 72 17 96 |
| Paralimni-Protaras | Leoforos Protara-Kavo Gkreko 356, 5296 Protaras-Paralimni | 23 83 28 65 |
Working Hours
Public operating days and hours are from Monday to Friday starting betwen 07:30 - 08:30 and closing between 15:00 - 1600. Private sector working hours are 08:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday for the period 15 September - 31 May and 08:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 19:00 Monday to Friday, for the period 01 June - 14 September.
Shops opening times vary depending on their type and location, though shops normally open between 07:00 and 09:00. During the period 01 November - 31 March shops close at 19:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 15:00 on Wednesday, and at 19:00 on Saturday. For the period 01 April - 31 October shops close at 20:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 15:00 on Wednesday and, at 19:30 on Saturday. During the period 15 June - 31 August there is an optional three hour afternoon break from14:00 - 17:00.
Special shopping hours apply for Christmas and Easter. From 01 December to 31 December, shops may remain open until 20:00 throughout the week, but close by 18:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Shops also remain open until 20:00 ten days before Easter Sunday, but close by 18:00 on Good Friday.
Drinking Age Limit
The legal drinking age in Cyprus is 17. The legal limit for drivers in breath is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath. The legal limit in blood is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Tap Water
Water is safe to drink in Cyprus and every home has fresh running drinking water. Tap water in hotels, restaurants, public premises is also safe to drink.
Electricity
The electricity supply in Cyprus is 230 volts, a.c. 50 Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square pin in most buildings. More than one low current rating appliance may be operated from the same supply point by using an adaptor (i.e. radios, electric clocks etc.). The use of adaptors for operating high current rating appliances is not recommended (i.e. electric heaters, toasters, irons etc.). Many hotels provide adaptors upon request from the reception. Adaptors can be purchased from electricians, supermarkets, grocery shops and mini markets.
Measurement System
Cyprus uses the metric system of weights and measures. Temperatures are reported in degrees Celsius, petrol is sold by the litre, grocery items are in grams and kilograms, fabric lengths in metres, and road speeds and distances posted in kilometres.
Seasonality
The urban centres of Lefkosia, Larnaka and Lemessos are alive all year round. Pafos is more tourist centre and is thus much quieter during the winter. Agia Napa and Protaras are mainly summer-only destinations and some hotels and eating places only operate in the peak season of April to October.
