Largest Cities in Cyprus

Facts about Cyprus

Official languages: Modern Greek, Turkish, English
Capital: Nicosia
Area: 9,250 km²
Population: 1.1 million residents
Population density: 119.21 residents per km²
Currency: EUR
Internet TLD: .cy
ISO codes: CY, CYP , 196
The dialing code for Cyprus is +357

Flag of Cyprus

The flag of Cyprus consists of a yellow silhouette of the island and two crossed branches on a white background. The yellow color evokes the island’s copper reserves, the very name Cyprus was derived from the Greek word for copper. The crossed twigs are supposed to represent the effort for rapprochement and peaceful coexistence between the Greek Cypriots and the Turks inhabiting the island. Blue and red, being the colors of the Greek and Turkish flags, were deliberately not used. Until 1960, Cyprus belonged to Great Britain, and after independence, the current flag came into force, designed by a primary school teacher and approved by the first president of Cyprus. The flag could have been replaced by another in 2004, but the proposal did not pass the referendum. Turkish Cypriots use their own flag, but it is not internationally recognized.

History-steeped Cyprus is located south of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. The third largest Mediterranean island (after Sicily and Sadinia) was politically divided after a Turkish invasion in 1974: the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus lies in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is only recognized by Turkey, in the north.

Despite its advanced position, Cyprus is traditionally part of Europe. Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004, but only the Republic of Cyprus. Previously, an attempt to reunify Cyprus in a referendum on April 24, 2004 failed due to rejection in the Greek part. The two sovereign Royal British bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia are also located in Cyprus.

Biggest Cities of Cyprus by Population

Cyprus is an island country located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with a population of over 1 million people. The largest city in Cyprus is Nicosia, which serves as the capital and has a population of around 300,000 people. Nicosia is a bustling metropolis that features a mix of modern and ancient influences, including the Venetian Walls which were built by the Venetians in 1567 to protect their port from pirates. Visitors to Nicosia can explore some amazing historical sites such as Kyrenia Castle which was built by the Byzantines in the 11th century or wander through the old town area with its cobbled streets and traditional Cypriot architecture.

The second largest city in Cyprus is Limassol, which has around 200,000 inhabitants. This vibrant coastal city features some stunning beaches such as Lady’s Mile Beach where visitors can relax on golden sands while admiring beautiful views of Mediterranean Sea waters. Limassol also contains some interesting attractions including Kolossi Castle – a 13th-century castle that was once used by Knights Templar – or Kourion archaeological site where visitors can explore some fascinating ruins dating back to Roman times. Finally, tourists can also visit Troodos Mountains where they can admire some incredible landscapes while exploring quaint villages like Omodhos or Lefkara where they can find traditional crafts like lace-making and pottery-making.

Cyprus: Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and, like the island itself, a divided city. The city is called Lefkosía in Greek and Lefkoşa in Turkish. Incidentally, it is the only still divided capital in the world. The southern part of the city is the capital of the Republic of Cyprus and the northern part of the city is the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognized by all countries except Turkey. The city shares a so-called “Green Line”. It is monitored by the United Nations peace groups.

The city is characterized by modern shops, stores, restaurants and pubs. There is an old town, which is enclosed by an almost five kilometer long fortress wall. Churches, mosques, and museums also make the city a magnet for tourists visiting the city. There is also a university in Nicosia, as is the largest bank in Cyprus. A large part of the country’s inhabitants live in the city or in the surrounding area.