Cyprus Statistics

Geography-Population

Capital:  Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Area:  9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus, the Turkish part)

Climate:  temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Population:  1,120,489 (July 2011 est.)

Languages:  Greek (official), Turkish (official), English

Government-Economy

Government type: republic

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as 'Independence Day'

Independence Day: 16 August 1960 (from the UK)

Currency: Euro (EUR or €) and New Turkish Lira (YTL) in the north; €1 = $0.71 ; 1EUR = 2.20 YTL

GDP: $23.18 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP): $21,000 (2010 est.)

Information for Foreign Students in Cyprus

Obtaining a Visa

Nationals from European Union country members, United Sates, Canada and Australia do not need a visa to enter the country. For further information, please contact the Embassy of Cyprus in your home country, or go on its website.

Housing

Accommodations for students http://www.globalsemesters.com/Semester-Cyprus-Housing.html

Hotels: http://www.visitcyprus.com/wps/portal/accommodation/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hXN0fHYE8TIwN_ZxNzAyMPDxcjs9AAYwN_U6B8JJK8u4GxgYGRq5Gzh4lHkIF3sBEB3eEg-8ziDXAARwOIPD7zUeQtDL0sgPLepl5eRiZGhhZG-n4e-bmp-sGpefGh3voFuREGmQHpigDe40sL/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

Health

Free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available to European residents, in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); but this card is not available in the north of the country (the Turkish part).

Money

You will find cash machines in main towns and tourist areas. All the main credit cards are accepted (Visa, Master card...). To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Opening a bank account is easy and no appointment is necessary to open an account; the following documents are needed: passport or proof of identity and proof of address (recent utility bill, title deeds).

Almost all banks offer full Internet banking services allowing all transactions to be made online. The account holder will be issued a password to access the account.

Transportation

Public transport is not well-developed because there is no train service. There are different bus services: that connect major towns, bus services that connect different places within main cities, touristic places included, and rural buses connecting villages to their nearest towns. The website for buses network information: http://cyprus.angloinfo.com/information/10/busses.asp

Keeping in touch

There are Internet cafes in main towns and resorts. Concerning mobile telephone, the coverage is good. But for long stays, it is better to have a local network.