CYPRUSNature wonders of Europe

Cyprus Geographical Location

Cyprus is the third largest island in the MediterraneanCapital: NicosiaPopulation: 1,099,341 Language(s): Greek, Turkish

THE EARLIEST KNOWN HUMAN ACTIVITY ON THE ISLAND DATES BACK TO AROUND THE 10TH MILLENNIUM BC. CYPRUS HAS A STRATEGIC LOCATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THUS IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY OCCUPIED BY SEVERAL MAJOR POWERS, INCLUDING THE EMPIRES OF THE ASSYRIANS, EGYPTIANS, AND PERSIANS, THE ROMANS, THE BYZANTINES, ARABS, THE FRENCH LUSIGNAN DYNASTY, AND THE VENETIANS.THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS JOINED THE EUROZONE ON THE 1ST OF JANUARY 2008

History

Paphos - Our town!!!

Location: Southwest of Cyprus Climate: Subtropical-Mediterranean climate, warm and Sunny!!!Population: 66,000 Paphos district is divided into four municipalities Cultural Capital of Europe 2017

Our School is aLower Secondary Public School with 485

students aged from 12 to15

Paphos Town

AKAMASAkamas National Park is located on the western tip of Cyprus and covers an area of about 230 km² of precious ecological significance and gladly unharmed by mass development. Akamas is a spot of immense natural beauty that includes impressive, rare and diverse flora and fauna, hills, beautiful coastline, amazing beaches including the Lara turtle nesting beach, gorges and baths.The Akamas peninsula, named after an Athenian warrior and son of Theseus, who arrived here after the Trojan war.

AKAMASThe Akamas National Park is a deserted unspool region of hills and rocky shores in the far northwest corner of Cyprus. This wild uninhabited region has spectacular landscapes and has become a habitat for several species of flora and fauna unique to the Mediterranean. The area is a haven for birds and other wildlife such as shrews, hedgehogs and foxes. Several species of snake and lizards are indigenous. Monk seals are also known to dwell in the sea caves around the coast. Many areas are now officially protected and only a few dirt tracks penetrate the peninsula.

Almost all the geological formations of Cyprus can be found

here, from narrow deep valleys, caves and islets to gorges such as that of Avakas, resulting in a real geological mosaic. For this reason

Akamas peninsula is endowed with a unique biodiversity, habitats and

ecosystems.

Geological Formations

The flora in the district of Akamas, with a large variety of wild flowers (some of which are very rare)

is of exceptional interest. Rare, wild flowers include a

species of red wild Tulip (Tulipa Cypria) and several kinds of orchids (orchis). Also species of an

endemic cyclamen grow in the Akamas area.Among the shrubs common to Cyprus of special interest

is: Mersine (Myrtus communis).

Tulipa Cypria

orchids cyclamenMersine

FLORA

FAUNA

As regards fauna, the endemic Glaucopsyche paphos butterfly can be considered the emblem of the area. Until recently the Mediterranean seal, Monachus monachus, bred in the inaccessible caves of the peninsula, while on the remote beaches of Lara, the sea turtles, Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas, continue to breed in large numbers.

• On a European level, Cyprus including the Akamas area has been identified as one of the 22 areas of endemism in Europe and one of only three European areas holding two or more restricted-range species of birds.

Other animals found in Akamas include fruit bats, shrews, hedgehogs, foxes, snakes, lizards, Griffon vultures, Cyprus

Warblers, and Cyprus Scops owls. Vulnerable species include bats, magreonk seals and sea turtles

• Akamas faces several problems. The biggest and paramount threat however, comes from the pressure for tourist development that has captured most of the island's beaches and much of its coastline. This has taken the form of hotels, apartment blocks, holiday houses, restaurants etc., with their associated spin-off activities and related infrastructure development (roads, lights, noise, pollution etc.).

• Though the above are highlighted, there are other activities that have important detrimental effects on such an ecologically sensitive area. These are: military exercises, fires, excessive uncontrolled use of routes for ‘Safari type’ expeditions, uncontrolled hunting, fishing, uncontrolled grazing, motor rallies etc.