Water & Environment of Cyprus
The Water Problem
Cyprus is one of the driest regions in Europe.
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate | Mediterranean, dry summer |
| Rivers | All seasonal, dry up in summer |
| Consumption | Population growth + tourism |
| Climate | Global warming worsens the drought |
💡 Consumption norm in Cyprus: ~200 l/person/day (4 times more than the survival minimum)
Reservoirs (Φράγματα, "Frágmata")
Cyprus has 108 dams — the most per capita in Europe.
Total capacity: ~330 million m³
Largest dams
| Dam | Greek name | District | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kouris | Κούρη | Limassol | 115 million m³ |
| Asprokremmos | Ασπρόκρεμμος | Paphos | 52 million m³ |
| Evretou | Ευρέτου | Paphos | 24 million m³ |
❓ What is the largest dam in Cyprus?
→ Kouris (Κούρη) — 115 million m³
Fact about Kouris Dam:
- Built in 1988
- Height — 110 m
- Collects water from three rivers: Kouris (Κούρης), Limnatis (Λιμνάτης), Krios (Κρύος)
- During construction the village of Alassa (Αλάσσα, "Alása") had to be relocated
Desalination of Water (Αφαλάτωση, "Afalátosi")
Cyprus actively uses seawater desalination — this is the main source of drinking water.
Major plants (5 permanent)
| Plant | Greek name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Dhekelia | Δεκέλεια | 60 000 m³/day |
| Larnaca | Λάρνακα | 60 000 m³/day |
| Vasilikos | Βασιλικός | 60 000 m³/day |
| Episkopi | Επισκοπή | 40 000 m³/day |
| Paphos | Πάφος | 15 000 m³/day |
Total capacity: ~235 000 m³/day
💡 ~70-75% of drinking water in Cyprus is desalinated seawater
Mobile Desalination Units (2025)
In 2025, due to an acute water shortage, Cyprus received 14 mobile desalination units from the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
| Fact | Data |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 14 units |
| From where | UAE 🇦🇪 |
| Cost | Free (a gift) |
| Capacity | +15 000 m³/day |
| Delivery | May 2025 |
❓ From where did Cyprus receive mobile desalination units in 2025?
→ UAE (United Arab Emirates)
Water Saving
Government measures:
- 🚿 Restrictions on lawn watering
- 💰 Fines for irrational use
- 📢 Awareness campaigns on responsible consumption
- 🏨 Subsidies to hotels for their own desalination plants
Environment
Protected Areas
| Place | Greek name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Akamas | Ακάμας | National Forest Park, Natura 2000 |
| Larnaca Salt Lake | Αλυκή Λάρνακας | Ramsar site, Natura 2000 |
| Troodos | Τρόοδος | UNESCO Global Geopark |
Akamas Peninsula (Ακάμας, "Akámas")
- Area: 230 km²
- Status: National Forest Park (Εθνικό Δασικό Πάρκο, "Ethnikó Dasikó Párko")
- Part of the Natura 2000 network
- 168 bird species, 20 reptile species, 600+ plant species
- Nesting site for sea turtles
💡 Akamas is the most biodiverse area of Cyprus
Larnaca Salt Lake (Αλυκή Λάρνακας, "Alikí Lárnakas")
- The second largest salt lake in Cyprus
- Area: 2.2 km²
- Consists of 4 lakes: Aliki, Orfani, Soros, Spiro
- Ramsar site (of international importance)
- In winter — up to 12 000 flamingos 🦩
❓ Which lake in Cyprus is a Ramsar site?
→ Larnaca Salt Lake (Αλυκή Λάρνακας)
Troodos — UNESCO Geopark (Τρόοδος, "Tróodos")
- Included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in 2015
- Area: 1 147 km² (15% of Cyprus’ territory)
- Highest point: Mount Olympus (Όλυμπος, "Ólympos") — 1 952 m
- Unique ophiolite complex 92 million years old
⚠️ Troodos is a geopark, not a biosphere reserve!
Wildlife
Mouflon — Agrino (Αγρινό, "Agrinó")
The Cypriot mouflon is the largest wild mammal on the island.
| Fact | Data |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Ovis gmelini ophion |
| Habitat | Paphos forest, Troodos mountains |
| Population | ~3 000 individuals |
| Status | Protected species |
| On euro coins | 1, 2, 5 cents 🪙 |
❓ Which animal is depicted on the Cypriot 1, 2, 5 cent coins?
→ Mouflon (Αγρινό)
Sea Turtles (Θαλάσσιες χελώνες, "Thalássies helónes")
Two species nest on Cyprus beaches:
| Species | Scientific name | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| Loggerhead | Caretta caretta | Καρέττα |
| Green turtle | Chelonia mydas | Πράσινη χελώνα |
Nesting sites: Akamas beaches (Lara Bay), protected by law
Forest Fires (Δασικές πυρκαγιές, "Dasikés pyrkagiés")
In summer Cyprus is prone to forest fires.
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Heat | Temperatures 35-40°C |
| Drought | Dry vegetation |
| Winds | Strong seasonal winds |
| Humans | Arson, carelessness |
Services involved: fire service, volunteers, aviation (airplanes and helicopters)
Responsible Ministry
❓ Which ministry is responsible for the environment in Cyprus?
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
(Υπουργείο Γεωργίας, Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Περιβάλλοντος, "Ypourgeío Georgías, Agrotikís Anáptyxis kai Perivállontos")
Minister (2025): Maria Panayiotou (Μαρία Παναγιώτου, "María Panayótou")
What to Remember for the Exam
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Mobile desalination units (2025) | 14 |
| From where the desalination units came | UAE 🇦🇪 |
| Largest dam | Kouris (Κούρη) — 115 million m³ |
| Total number of dams | 108 |
| Total capacity of dams | ~330 million m³ |
| Permanent desalination plants | 5 |
| Ramsar site | Larnaca Salt Lake |
| Status of Troodos | UNESCO Geopark (since 2015) |
| Highest point of Cyprus | Olympus — 1 952 m |
| Environment ministry | Agriculture and Environment |
| Symbol of Cyprus nature | Mouflon (Αγρινό) |
| Mouflon on coins | 1, 2, 5 cents |
| Mouflon population | ~3 000 |
Useful Greek Words
| Russian | Greek | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Вода (Water) | Νερό | neró |
| Плотина (Dam) | Φράγμα | frágma |
| Опреснение (Desalination) | Αφαλάτωση | afalátosi |
| Засуха (Drought) | Ξηρασία | ksirasía |
| Лесной пожар (Forest fire) | Δασική πυρκαγιά | dasikí pirkiá |
| Окружающая среда (Environment) | Περιβάλλον | periválon |
| Черепаха (Turtle) | Χελώνα | helóna |