CyprusA Primary School , Xylofagou

CYPRUSCyprus tucked away in the top right hand

corner of the Mediterranean is so close to Europe, Asia and Africa that it rightly, claims to be a stepping stone to three continents.

Its warm Mediterranean climate, its delightful landscape of contrast and its rich culture heritage make Cyprus one of the most beautiful islands in the world

The main language in Cyprus is Greek and the population was estimated at 792,604. Nicosia, the capital city, is located centrally on the island. It is divided into two sections, with Turkish and Greek communities separated by a fortified border. Limasol and Larnaka, the other two main cities, are on the southern coast of the island and Paphos on the west. The most important cities in Northern Cyprus are Famagusta and Kyrenia

Cyprus consists of two mountainous regions, separated by the Mesaoria plain. The Troodos, the southern mountain group, is taller with the highest peak, Mount Olympus, rising two thousand metres above sea level. The Kyrenia mountain group, in the north, is about half as high; the Pentadaktylos Mountain is very striking with a peak resembling five fingers.

An island whose rich dramatic history can be traced back over nine thousand years; an island so coveted over the centuries that it has been invaded and claimed by a fascinating mixture of civilizations from near and far (Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Frankish, Venetians, English, Turks) all of which have left their culture and shaped its character.

An island whose archaeology stems from the Neolithic Age, the Ancient Greeks and the Roman period; 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.

An island chosen by the mythical gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece who indulged themselves here in sport pleasure and tragedy; 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.

• Cyprus is the hottest, driest island in the Mediterranean. It typically enjoys 340 days of sunshine a year. The rainy season is from November to March, with most of the rain

falling between December and February. The spring season is mild. Early May can be

windy, and by the middle of May the temperature begins to rise, and during July

and August, it can reach well above 30 degrees centigrade. Autumn extends well

into November.