Ten facts about Cyprus

If you're planning a trip to the Mediterranean island6. The national anthem of the country is known
of Cyprus, then take a look at our top ten facts.as the Hymn to Liberty, which is also the national
You'll soon be able to impress friends and familyanthem of Greece.
with your knowledge about this beautiful country!7. The vast majority of Shakespeare's play,
1. Cyprus gained independence in 1960. TheOthello, was set on the island of Cyprus. The play
country had previously been controlled by Greatis believed to have been written in 1603 and is still
Britain and joined the British Commonwealth inseen by many as being very relevant to today's
1961, meaning that Cyprus sends a team to theworld.
Commonwealth Games every four years.8. Cyprus was also the mythical birthplace of one
2. This is the third largest island in theof the most famous Greek Gods - Aphrodite.
Mediterranean Sea.Aphrodite was the Greek God of love and
3. The country joined the European Union on 1beauty. She should be be confused with Venus,
May 2004. Nine other countries joined the EU onwho was her Roman equivalent.
the same date - they were: the Czech Republic,9. It is believed that people first lived on the island
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland,more than 12,000 years ago.
Slovenia and Slovakia.10. The United Kingdom still retains control over 3
4. According to its 2007 census, Cyprus has aper cent of the island's land and sea territories.
population of 788,457 people.You can find out about travelling to Cyprus by
5. Cyprus uses the Euro as its currency, inreading the Cyprus airports guide, which has
common with many member states of thefurther contributions from Keith Barrett. This
European Union. At the present time, the Euro isarticle may be used by any website publisher,
the common currency for more than 300 millionthough this resource box must always be included
people throughout the continent.in full.