Geography and Population

Cyprus is situated in the north-eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. This strategic location of the island has played an important role in its continuing development into a financial and tourist centre. With an area of 9.251 sq.km., Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia. The capital of the island is Lefkosia (Nicosia) with a population of some 190.000. It is situated roughly in the centre of the island and is the seat of Government and main business centre. Lemesos (Limassol) is the second largest town with a population of 149.000. It is situated in the south and it is the main commercial port of Cyprus and a booming tourist resort. Larnaka (Larnaca), in the south-east of the island, has a population of 66.000 and is the island’s second commercial port as well as an important tourist resort. Pafos (Paphos) in the south-west, with a population of 37.000 is a fast developing tourist town. In addition to the above main towns, are the towns of Ammochostos (Famagusta) and Kyreneia (Kyrenia) in the eastern and northern parts of the island respectively, which are currently under the occupation of the Turkish army. All towns are coastal except Lefkosia.