Where Europe, Asia and Africa meet, 80 km south of Turkey.
Cyprus
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The island in figures
Hard numbers from the geography files, and a look at how the land is actually used.
0km² total area, 3,355 km² of it in the north
0km of coastline
0m at the top of Mount Olympus
0km along the Pedieos, the longest river
0km² of irrigated land
0km² of land, against 10 km² of inland water
How the land is used
Arable land 10.81%
Permanent crops 4.32%
Everything else 84.87%
Places worth the journey
Six landmarks, photographed on the island. Keep scrolling and they slide past.
Petra tou RomiouLegend places Aphrodite’s birth on this stretch of coast, a few kilometres from Paphos.Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped to fit
Troodos and Mount OlympusAt 1,952 m, snow settles in winter and skiing is possible. Old villages sit in the hills below.Photo: Gerda Arendt · CC0 1.0 · cropped to fit
Larnaca Salt LakeThe lake fills with water in winter, and flamingo flocks stay from about November to March.Photo: Dickelbers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped to fit
Paphos Archaeological ParkRemains of Greek and Roman cities. The town is UNESCO-listed and was Capital of Culture in 2017.Photo: Nikodem Nijaki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped to fit
Limassol seafrontA palm-lined promenade beside the island’s biggest port. February brings the Carnival.Photo: Radosław Botev / Fundacja Nomos · CC BY 3.0 PL · cropped to fit
Ayia Napa and ProtarasEast-coast resorts known for fine sand and crystal-clear water.Photo: dronepicr · CC BY 2.0 · cropped to fit
Faith and history
How Dertour tells the story of the island’s people.
Christianity reached Cyprus through the Apostle Paul, which makes the Church of Cyprus one of the oldest independent churches in the world. Cypriots are proud of that, and many hold that their Orthodox practice is closest to the early faith.
Almost all Greek Cypriots are Orthodox, even if they rarely practise, because it marks national belonging. The church runs through an archbishopric, five metropolises and 11 monasteries, with its seat in Nicosia, and it keeps close ties to the Church of Greece.
Archbishop Makarios III led the island to independence and became president of the new republic, which made Cyprus, along with the Vatican, one of the few states ruled by a churchman.
Most Turkish Cypriots are Sunni Muslims, though often among the most secular in the world. In the north, Islam dominates. In the south, the Orthodox Church does.
AD 45The Apostle Paul brings Christianity to the island.
10th centuryThe Byzantine emperor Nikephoros retakes Cyprus and revives the church.
1571The island becomes part of the Ottoman Empire, and Islam arrives.
1974Turkey takes control of the north. Dertour records that many churches and monasteries there were destroyed.
What the seasons bring
The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Winter
Snow on Mount Olympus opens the ski slopes. Flamingos fill Larnaca’s salt lake from November to March, and Limassol throws its multi-day Carnival in February.
Summer
Long hot days belong to the beaches of Ayia Napa and Protaras. Limassol’s promenade and beach bars such as Guaba stay lively after dark.
All year
The ruins of Paphos, the old hill villages, the Akamas trails and Nicosia’s two halves are open whatever the weather.
How the island earns
Three industries carry the economy.
Energy
Natural-gas finds at sea have set big plans in motion. Cyprus wants to become an energy centre of the eastern Mediterranean, with links to Europe and East Asia.
Tourism
Monuments, archaeological sites and fine-sand beaches with clear water draw families and couples alike.
Shipping
Import and export are central, and the island’s position makes it a natural base for maritime services.
