History of Cyprus
Maybe small in size, but rich in history and tradition, Cyprus has met, throughout changing eras, tremendous changes, wars, rebellions and invasions, mostly due to its strategic position – as it is situated in the crossroad of three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa).
General Information / Geography
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia (both in terms of area and population). It is also the world’s 80th largest by area and world’s 51st largest by population. It measures 240 kilometres (149 mi) long from end to end and 100 kilometres (62 mi) wide at its widest point, with Turkey 75 kilometres (47 mi) to the north. It lies between latitudes 34° and 36° N, and longitudes 32° and 35° E.
On the 1st of 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.
Traveling around Cyprus
Self drive is the best way to travel around Cyprus. The road infrastructure is excellent. Cyprus is a relatively small island, so no matter where is your base, nowhere is too far from anywhere for a day’s outing. All you need is a map or a gps and enjoy the island of beauty.
Credit card loss
JCC Payment Systems, the main credit card transaction processing company, operates a 24 hour service for lost or stolen cards. More information at the web site https://www.jccsmart.com/
Emergency Service Telephone Numbers (English is spoken)
| Ambulance | 199 / 112 |
| Police | 199 / 112 |
| Fire Service | 199 / 112 |
| All Emergencies (Pan-European) | 112 |
| Medical Assistance | |
| Hospital Information | Tel: 1400 |
| RCC Rescue Coordination Centre (air/sea rescue) | Tel: 1441 |
| Drugs/Narcotics/Poison Emergency | Tel: 1401 |
| Drug (anti-abuse support) | Tel: 1410 / 1498 |
| Doctors On Call | Tel: 90 90 1432 |
| AIDS Advisory Centre | Tel: 22 305 155 |
| 24-hour Pharmacies | |
| Ammochostos | Tel: 90 90 1413 |
| Larnaca | Tel: 90 90 1414 |
| Limassol | Tel: 90 90 1415 |
| Nicosia | Tel: 90 90 1412 |
| Paphos | Tel: 90 90 1416 |
| Hospitals | |
| Ammochostos General Emergencies |
Tel: 23 200 000 Tel: 23 200 200 |
| Larnaca: Old General | Tel: 24 304 312 |
| Larnaca: Makareio | Tel: 24 800 500 |
| Limassol: Old General | Tel: 25 305 333 |
| Limassol: New General | Tel: 25 801 100 |
| Nicosia: New General | Tel: 22 603 000 |
| Nicosia: Makareio | Tel: 22 405 000 |
| Paphos General | Tel: 26 803 100 |
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.