Question 1

What is the population of Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

The population of Cyprus is approximately 1.2M.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Cypriots greet expressively, with the style depending on how well people know each other. Do: Men hug or slap male friends on the back or shoulder Women kiss friends on both cheeks Use first names with friends Greet new acquaintances more formally

Question 3

What are dining customs like in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Cypriot cuisine is Mediterranean and social, centered on meze — a spread of up to 30 small shared plates that often make up the heart of a meal. Lunch is still the main meal of the day. Do: Eat bread and dips with your fingers, which is acceptable Try meze dishes like loukanika, koupepia, sheftalia, afelia, and ofto kleftiko Expect fresh salads and plain yogurt with most meals Don't: Don't leave the table before others have finished You can order seafood meze or meat meze in some restaurants and tavernas Expect a rest during the heat of the day after lunch Say 'Kali orexi' - Bon appetit!

Question 4

What should I know about hospitality and etiquette in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Hospitality, known as 'philoxenia' (love of strangers), is a defining national virtue, and Cypriots are casually and informally friendly. Do: Eat and drink freely when pressed, to avoid causing hurt feelings Accept offered coffee, sweets, or food as a sign of welcome Dropping in without notice is common, though this is changing due to time pressures in the city

Question 5

How should I dress in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Informality is the norm, with people generally dressing according to their occupation. Traditional costumes are worn at folk festivals, special events, and formal visits

Question 6

What gestures should I be aware of in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Cypriots use hand movements expressively to accompany conversation. 'No' can be indicated by tilting the head back or shaking it from side to side

Question 7

What role does family play in Cypriot society?

Accepted Answer

Family is the cornerstone of Cypriot society, with extended networks deeply valued and children a high priority in both family and community. Do: Respect that one should not bring dishonor on the family Multiple generations often live in close proximity or gather regularly for shared meals Women traditionally rule the home domain and men the political arena Parents may still strongly influence the choice of spouse, though arranged marriages have largely disappeared

Question 8

What do people do for recreation in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Soccer is hugely popular, and Cypriots enjoy the outdoors year-round. Ski on Mount Olympus's three runs from January to March Enjoy picnics in the mountains and swimming at the beaches in summer Hunting is popular during the season Women usually attend women-only aerobic classes

Question 9

What is the capital of Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Nicosia (known in Greek as Lefkosia and in Turkish as Lefkoşa) is the capital and largest city of Cyprus. It serves as the seat of the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus government and holds the distinction of being the world's last divided capital city — its southern sector administered by the Greek Cypriot government and its northern sector controlled by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. A UN-monitored buffer zone, the so-called Green Line, bisects the city.

Question 10

Where is Cyprus located?

Accepted Answer

Cyprus is an island nation situated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, broadly associated with the Middle East region. It lies approximately 75 kilometres south of Turkey, 105 kilometres west of Syria, and 380 kilometres north of Egypt. Despite its geographic proximity to the Middle East and Asia Minor, Cyprus has deep cultural and historical ties to the Greek world and became a member of the European Union in 2004.

Question 11

What are the sea borders of Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

As an island nation, Cyprus shares no land borders, instead being surrounded entirely by the Mediterranean Sea. Its closest maritime neighbors are Turkey to the north, Syria and Lebanon to the east, Israel to the southeast, and Egypt to the south. The island's strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa has made it a historically significant maritime hub throughout antiquity and into the modern era.

Question 12

What is the main religion practiced in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Greek Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion on the island, practiced by approximately 78% of the population, concentrated largely in the Greek Cypriot south. Islam is the second major religion, accounting for roughly 18% of the population and practiced predominantly by Turkish Cypriots in the north. The remaining 4% of the population adheres to other religious traditions, including Maronite Christianity, Armenian Apostolic Christianity, and Roman Catholicism, reflecting the island's layered historical heritage.

Question 13

What currency is used in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Currency usage in Cyprus depends on which part of the island one is in. The internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus uses the euro (EUR), having adopted it in 2008 after joining the European Union. In the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, the currency in circulation is the Turkish lira (TRY). This monetary division is one of several practical consequences of the island's political partition since 1974.

Question 14

What languages are spoken in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Greek and Turkish are the two official languages of Cyprus, spoken respectively by the Greek Cypriot majority in the south and the Turkish Cypriot community in the north. English is widely spoken across the island as a legacy of British colonial rule, which lasted until independence in 1960, and remains commonly used in government, business, and tourism. Cyprus was a British Crown Colony, and English-language signage and communication remain prevalent throughout the Republic of Cyprus.

Question 15

What is Cyprus known for?

Accepted Answer

Cyprus is known for its mythological status as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who according to legend rose from the sea at Petra tou Romiou on the southwestern coast. The island also has a millennia-long history of copper mining — the very name Cyprus is believed to derive from the Greek word kypros, meaning copper. Halloumi cheese, a distinctly Cypriot grilled cheese now exported worldwide, and the island's ancient archaeological sites, including the mosaics of Paphos, are further hallmarks of Cypriot cultural identity.

Question 16

What is the political situation in Cyprus?

Accepted Answer

Cyprus has been politically divided since 1974, when a Greek military-junta-backed coup prompted a Turkish military intervention that gave Turkish Cypriots de facto control over roughly 40% of the island's northern territory. The internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus governs the south, while the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, administers the north. Repeated UN-mediated negotiations have sought a reunification settlement, but a comprehensive agreement has not yet been reached, leaving the division one of the longest-standing unresolved territorial disputes in Europe.

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