Core facts about Cyprus
Where Cyprus is located
Cyprus is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically it is in Asia, but politically and culturally it is Europe.
Neighbors:
| Country | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 75 km | North |
| Syria | 105 km | East |
| Lebanon | 108 km | East |
| Israel | 200 km | Southeast |
| Egypt | 380 km | South |
| Greece | 800 km | West |
❓ Which country is closest to Cyprus?
→ Turkey (75 km)
Size
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 9 251 km² (3 572 sq. miles) |
| Length (west–east) | 240 km |
| Width (north–south) | 100 km |
| Coastline | 648 km |
Place in the Mediterranean: the third-largest island after Sicily and Sardinia.
❓ What is the area of Cyprus?
→ 9 251 km²
Climate
Cyprus is one of the sunniest corners of Europe. It has a Mediterranean climate: hot dry summer, mild wet winter.
Seasons
| Season | Months | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Mid-May – mid-October | Hot, dry, cloudless |
| Winter | December – February | Mild, rain, snow in the mountains |
| Spring | March – April | Blossoming, comfortable |
| Autumn | October – November | Warm, swimming season continues |
Air temperature
| Place | Summer (July–August) | Winter (January) |
|---|---|---|
| Central plain | 30–38°C | 10°C (min. 5°C) |
| Coast | 27–33°C | 12–17°C |
| Troodos (mountains) | 24–27°C | 3°C (min. 0°C) |
❓ What is the average annual temperature in Nicosia?
→ ~19°C (hotter on the coast in summer, but warmer in winter)
Hottest months: July and August — up to 38–40°C on the plain.
Coldest places: mountain villages of Troodos — Prodromos (Πρόδρομος, Prodromos), Platres (Πλάτρες, Platres), Kakopetria (Κακοπετριά, Kakopetria). In winter there is snow and you can go skiing.
❓ Which village is the coldest in winter?
→ Prodromos or other mountain villages of Troodos
Sea temperature
Cyprus is a paradise for swimming lovers. The sea is warm for most of the year.
| Period | Water temperature |
|---|---|
| June – November | 22–27°C |
| August (peak) | 27–28°C |
| January – March | 16–17°C |
❓ What is the sea temperature in summer in Cyprus?
→ 22–27°C (up to 28°C in August)
Swimming season: from May to November. Some people swim even in December — the water is still 19–20°C.
Sunny days
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Sunny days per year | ~340 |
| Hours of sun in winter | 6 hours/day |
| Hours of sun in summer | 11.5 hours/day |
Even in December and January — on average 6 hours of bright sun every day. This is more than in summer in most Northern European countries.
Humidity and precipitation
| Season | Humidity | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (day) | 15–30% | Almost none |
| Winter / night | 65–95% | Rain |
Fog: rare, only early in the morning.
Snow: only in the Troodos mountains, usually from December. There is no snow on the coast.
What to wear by season
| Months | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| April–May | Light clothes during the day, a sweater in the evening |
| June–August | As light clothes as possible, sun protection |
| September–October | Light clothes, something warmer for the evening |
| November | Medium layer, you can still swim |
| December–January | Winter clothes, but heavy coats are not needed |
| February–March | Changeable, layered clothing |
💡 Tip: Even in summer take something with sleeves — it is cold in air-conditioned rooms, and in the mountains it is cool in the evening.
Population
| Indicator | Value (2023) |
|---|---|
| Total in the Republic of Cyprus | 920 701 |
| Greek Cypriots | 737 196 (80%) |
| Foreign residents | 183 505 (20%) |
| Including the occupied territories | ~1.2 million |
Official languages: Greek and Turkish
Most widespread foreign language: English (legacy of 82 years of British rule)
❓ Which foreign language is the most widespread in Cyprus?
→ English
❓ What percentage of the population are immigrants?
→ ~20%
Cyprus in the world
Membership in organizations
| Organization | Since |
|---|---|
| UN | 1960 |
| Council of Europe | 1961 |
| Commonwealth of Nations | 1961 |
| OSCE | 1975 |
| European Union | 2004 |
| Eurozone | 2008 |
❓ When did Cyprus join the EU?
→ 1 May 2004
❓ When did Cyprus adopt the euro?
→ 1 January 2008
Not a member: NATO, Schengen Area
❓ Of which organization is Cyprus NOT a member: UN, NATO, EU?
→ NATO
Flag of the Republic of Cyprus
Description:
- Background: white (symbol of peace)
- In the center: silhouette of the island in copper-orange color (copper was Cyprus’s main wealth in antiquity)
- Under the island: two crossed olive branches (symbol of peace between Greeks and Turks)
Why the copper color? The name “Cyprus” comes from the Greek word for “copper” (χαλκός, chalkos). The island was the main source of copper in the ancient world. The Latin cuprum also comes from Cyprus.
Interesting: Cyprus and Kosovo are the only countries with a map of their territory on their flag.
❓ What colors are on the flag of Cyprus?
→ White background, copper-orange silhouette, green branches
Time zone
Winter: UTC+2 (EET — Eastern European Time)
Summer: UTC+3 (EEST — Eastern European Summer Time)
Difference with London: always +2 hours
Difference with Moscow: -1 in winter, 0 in summer
Switching to summer/winter time
| Change | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| To summer time | Last Sunday of March | 03:00 → 04:00 |
| To winter time | Last Sunday of October | 04:00 → 03:00 |
💡 Cyprus switches to summer time simultaneously with the entire EU.
Telephone code of Cyprus
International code: +357
Local numbers have 8 digits. There are no city codes — you just dial 8 digits.
To call Cyprus from abroad: +357 + 8-digit number
To call abroad from Cyprus: 00 + country code + number
❓ What is the telephone code of Cyprus? → +357
What to remember
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 9 251 km² |
| Place in the Mediterranean | 3rd-largest island |
| Nearest country | Turkey (75 km) |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
| Sunny days | ~340 |
| Sea temperature (summer) | 22–27°C |
| Population | ~920 000 |
| Official languages | Greek, Turkish |
| Foreign language | English |
| EU member | Since 2004 |
| Currency | Euro (since 2008) |
| Time vs Moscow | The same in summer |