CYPRUS

Welcome to Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout antiquity came here just to pay her tribute.

 
 

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its 9,251 square kilometres (3,572 square miles) encompass citrus and olive groves, pine forested mountains, and some of Europe's finest beaches.

The island has a mild, typically Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine even in winter.

Cyprus is a member of the European Union, United Nations and U.N. Agencies. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and many other international Organisations.

Cyprus has a population of 800,000 inhabitants.
   
PARALIMNI

Paralimni is situated in the southeast of Cyprus. It is a small town with a population of around 10000. It is about half hour's drive from the International airport of Cyprus in Larnaca and has good road connections (highway) to all major towns.

Paralimni is the administrative centre for the district with a Town Hall, schools, hospital, clinics, police station, supermarkets and all amenities.

The word Paralimni means "settlement by the lake". Historically, Paralimni was built on the shores of a shallow lake, which filled with water only in the wintertime.


The location of Paralimni is favoured by a very mild climate which is conducive to the early-in-the year produce of vegetables and potatoes. It is more familiarly referred to as "the land of windmills" maintaining the nostalgic quality of the past. Paralimni has lovely beaches and the most well known in the area is Fig Tree Bay in Protaras area.

Protaras has lovely sandy white beaches, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

Today Paralimni is a rich little town which is developing rapidly in all sectors of economic, social and cultural life. The adjacent streets, the new squares and the park all carry the characteristics of a modern town with showrooms and modern shops.
 
Endless sandy beaches, secluded coves, wide bays and calm transparent waters set the scene in this attractive sun laden sandy seaside resort where lively sea sports play out across the horizon almost year round. The coves are great for snorkelling and diving and the wide bays are conducive to windsurfing in safety. Sailing, parachuting, waterskiing and jet skiing are all daily colourful activity. The crystal clear Mediterranean waters offer sunbathers and swimmers virtual paradise inviting delight. Marine life is also rich and varied.
 
Equally interesting are the natural surroundings of the Paralimni area and especially its flora. Cut away into ten-metre sea - cliffs are caves which nature has adorned with palatial trimmings.
The flora of this area is interesting not only for the amateur observer but for the scientist as well.
The undisturbed, natural Cape Greco habitat is notable both for its structure and its diversity. Many of the 36 different orchid species growing on the island find this area a safe land, while Crocuses, Colchicums and Irises add vibrant colour and a magic fragrance. In addition to its surprising wide variety of species the Cape Greco landscape is also the area where the botanical elements of the neighbouring, Asian, Europe and African continents come together to create the special flora of Cyprus.