Andreas Georgiou Property Developers and Contractors

Just as many goddesses vied for Aphrodite's golden apple, countless conquerors coveted her island home, at the crossroads of the Mediterranean. They came for the copper, they came for the wine, and most of all, to stake out a location they knew to be prime. Art and archaeology in Cyprus bear witness to a long and textured past.

The perfect location is still a big draw, but we no longer need to fight to savour what it has to offer in the ways of a long, sun-splashed shoreline with hidden coves and resorts fit for royalty, hilltop villages surrounded by lemon and olive trees, and mountain peaks thick with pine trees and golden oak

Sunshine is a staple of life in Cyprus. There are more than 300 days of sunshine every year. The warm Cyprus sun makes swimming a lovely experience all the way through to November. There is a legendary warm welcome to visitors from the Cypriots themselves

The Republic of Cyprus gained its independence from Britain in 1960. Cyprus has a population of approximately 750,000 (81.9% Greek Cypriots and 18.1% Turkish Cypriots).

It is an island whose rich dramatic history can be traced back over 10,000 years. Cyprus is an island which has been very coveted over the centuries that it has been invaded and claimed by a fascinating mixture of civilizations from near and far all of which have left their culture and shaped its character.

Cyprus is an island whose archaeology stems from the Neolithic Age, the Ancient Greeks and the Roman period, it is where churches and monasteries still stand from Byzantine times, castles and palaces from the days of Crusaders and Frankish Lusignans and splendid city walls from Venetian days.

Cyprus was chosen by the mythical gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece who indulged themselves here in sport pleasure and tragedy. It is where Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty, emerged from the Pafos foam to become a famous cult figure - centre of attraction for the first visitors who flocked to the island to worship her.

With such a historic and legendary background it is hardly surprising that Cyprus has developed a character which is quite unique. It is blessed with beauty, natural beauty that ranges from golden beaches and rugged coastlines to rolling hills and forest clad mountains, dotted with picturesque villages.
 

Cyprus currency is based on the decimal system and one Cyprus pound (CYP ) is divided into 100 cent (c). There are banknotes in the following denominations: 50c, CP1, CP5, CP10 and CP20.

Cyprus has a record of successful economic performance, reflected in rapid growth, full employment and stability almost throughout the post-Independence period. The underdeveloped economy of 1960 has been transformed into a modern economy with dynamic services, industrial and agricultural sectors and advanced physical and social infrastructure. Cyprus is classified among upper middle income Countries. These achievements appear all the more striking in view of the severe economic and social dislocation and the loss of resources caused by the Turkish invasion of 1974.

The success of Cyprus in the economic sphere is the combined result of the existence of a dynamic and flexible entrepreneurial community and of a well-educated labour force, the adoption of a market oriented economic system and the sound economic policies followed by the government.

Over the last decade the economy has increasingly become oriented towards Europe . The European Union, with which a Customs Union Agreement was put into effect in 1988, is now the largest trading partner of Cyprus . The application of Cyprus to become a full member of the Union in July 1990 is a clear indication of the European orientation of Cyprus and has led to the adoption of harmonization of economic and social institutions and policies with those of the European Union as a major policy objective.

The Cypriot economy is small, diversified and prosperous. Industry employs 29% of the labour force, while the service sector employs 57% of the labour force. Rapid growth in exports, mainly of agricultural and manufactured products along with tourism has played an important part.

Government General Hospitals and Private clinics/hospitals are mostly concentrated in urban areas, while health centres, subcenters, and dispensaries function in the rural areas, providing a network to meet the medical needs of the whole population.

All Government General Hospitals as well as some private clinics have Accident and Emergency Departments for emergency cases. Medical treatment and assistance is offered free of charge to international tourists in case of health emergencies at the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals/Institutions. Out-patient and in-patient treatment is provided against payment of the prescribed fees, except for EU citizens who produce form E111, issued by their country's health care authorities. Holiday-makers can also make use of their health insurance, which covers medical expenses, provided that this insurance covers the length of their stay on the island.

Almost all brands of manufactured medicines are available in Cyprus. Local newspapers list pharmacies which are open during the night and on weekends/holidays, as well as the names of doctors who are on call on weekends/holidays

The majority of doctors are English speaking.
Private doctors' visiting hours (on weekdays): 09:00-13:00 hrs and 16:00-19:00 hrs.

Food Safety and Drinking Water

In Cyprus the safety of food and drinking water quality is monitored by the Health Inspectors of the Medical and Public Services of the Ministry of Health and the Local Authorities. Food and drinking water are of high quality, absolutely safe and no food or water-born diseases occur.

Water is safe to drink in Cyprus, as water pollution is negligible and every home has fresh running drinking-water. All the District Water Boards are in constant collaboration with the Government Health Services and the General Laboratory for the prevention of any toxicological and bacteriological infection of water in Cyprus . Tap-water in hotels, restaurants, public premises, etc., is safe to drink.

Cyprus is also free from dangerous infectious diseases. No are no vaccination requirements for any International Traveller.