Cyprus, island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty.

A “golden-green leaf thrown into the Sea” and a land of “wild weather and volcanoes,” in the words of the Greek Cypriot poet Leonidas Malenis, Cyprus comprises tall mountains, fertile valleys, and wide beaches. Settled for more than 10 millennia, Cyprus stands at a cultural, linguistic, and historic crossroads between Europe and Asia.
Its chief cities—the capital of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos—have absorbed the influences of generations of conquerors, pilgrims, and travellers and have an air that is both cosmopolitan and provincial.

Today Cyprus is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world, mainly favoured by beach and sun holiday makers of all ages, honeymooners (as befits the legendary home of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love), pilgrims, bird-watchers drawn by the island’s diversity of migratory species, and other vacationers.