Cyprus is situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a stepping stone to three major continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. The island has a rich history that can be traced back over 9000 years. It has been invaded throughout history, by many civilisations, all of which have left their mark upon the architecture and culture of the island.

Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island: its east to west length is about 240 km (150 miles); north to south is about 96 km (60 miles). There are six major towns: Nicosia the capital is situated inland. The remaining towns are on the coast: Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Kyrenia and Famagusta. Since 1974, the last two are in the Turkish occupied northern territory, and are normally inaccessible to visitors.

The landscape of Cyprus is widely varied. There are pine-clad mountains and valleys, vineyards in the foothills of the mountains, a rich and fertile central plain, many types of beaches, and hundreds of villages scattered around the island.

The climate is simply wonderfiul and is the envy of most other countries. Every season has a charm and beauty of its own. The winter season is short and mild. Average daytime temperatures are around 16 degrees C in the winter months. Spring, summer and autumn are glorious in their own ways. Peak summer temperatures in July and August can reach into the high thirties. The sun shines nearly all of the time, regardless of the season.

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