Before investing and immigrating to Cyprus, we began our journey under the guise of tourism to inspect the cultural environment and natural climate of Cyprus. In the famous painting "The Birth of Venus" by the Italian painter Botticelli, a tall, blonde beauty slowly rises from the sea foam.
The birthplace of Aphrodite (Venus is her name in ancient Roman mythology), the goddess of love and beauty in ancient Greek mythology, is Cyprus, an island nation in the Mediterranean with an area of 9,000 square kilometers.
As soon as I left the airport, I was stunned by the vast, pure blue Mediterranean Sea. We stayed at a coastal hotel in Paphos, and sitting on the balcony looking out at the deep ocean in the night, listening to the waves hitting the shore, I felt a sense of inner peace...
From the local friends, I learned that as early as 9,000 years ago, in 1500 BC, the Greeks migrated to Cyprus. Later, it was conquered by Egypt, Persia, and other countries. In 58 BC, it was incorporated into the Roman Empire. After 395 AD, it belonged to the Byzantine Empire. In 1571, it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. In 1878, it was ceded to the United Kingdom, and in 1925, it became a British "Crown Colony." On February 19, 1959, it signed the "Zurich-London Agreement" with the United Kingdom, Greece, and Turkey. On August 16, 1960, it declared independence and established the Republic of Cyprus. In 1961, it joined the Commonwealth. After independence, conflicts between the Greek and Turkish communities occurred multiple times. After 1974, the Turkish community moved north, and in 1975 and 1983, they successively announced the establishment of the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus" and the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," forming a situation of separate governance between the two communities in the north and south. Currently, the Cyprus government is effectively controlled by the Greek community and is widely recognized by the international community. The "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," or the Turkish community area, has not been recognized by the international community except for Turkey. Precisely because of such a long history of cultural intersection, historical relics can be seen everywhere on the island, whether in villages or cities: ancient villages, towns, temples, theaters, stadiums, palaces, tombs, fortresses, city walls, columns, mosaic murals, etc. The entire Cyprus is like a history museum of the Middle East and Europe.
The capital, Nicosia, is located in the geographical center of the island and has a population of 270,000. It is the most populous city on the island. The buffer zone controlled by the United Nations peacekeeping forces runs through the city center, making it a divided capital. Nicosia has a long history, with human habitation traceable back to 3000 BC. About 1,000 years ago, Nicosia became the capital of Cyprus. Since then, the city has experienced the rule of the English, Venetians, Frankish dynasties, the Ottoman Empire, and British colonial rule. Currently, most of the buildings and facilities in the city were built during the British colonial period from 1878 to 1960, such as the Presidential Palace, the Supreme Court, and the Archaeological Museum. After the Turkish invasion in 1974, the division of Nicosia was formed, and the city expanded rapidly to the surrounding areas to accommodate Greek refugees from Northern Cyprus. Today, Nicosia has become a commercial center integrating shopping, dining, and entertainment, and is constantly moving towards becoming a modern metropolis.
Paphos is located in the south of Cyprus, 150 kilometers from the capital, with a population of nearly 60,000. It is the birthplace of the Greek mythological goddess Aphrodite (Venus). Founded in 1400 BC, it was once the capital of the island in history, but later gradually declined. It was not until 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the important northern tourist cities of Kyrenia and Famagusta, that the city was re-valued and developed into an important seaside resort. The city is clearly divided into two parts: residential areas and tourist areas. The tourist area is built along the medieval port, and most luxury hotels and tourist facilities are located here. The city has famous mosaics and numerous royal tombs, which have been listed as World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO. I was deeply impressed by the House of Dionysus visited in Paphos. This is actually a villa of a vineyard owner from the ancient Roman period in the 2nd-4th century AD, named after the mosaic images of ancient Greek mythological stories covering the floors of more than 40 rooms from the living room to the bedroom and kitchen. The first room you enter is the image of the god of wine, Dionysus. It is said that these mosaics were carefully laid one by one by craftsmen at that time, who collected small natural colored stones from the mountains. The House of Dionysus is recognized as the most beautiful artwork in the eastern Mediterranean and has now become a World Cultural Heritage site.
Limassol is located on the picturesque narrow coastal plain in the south, with a population of 190,000. It is the second-largest city in Cyprus, the largest port, and the most important tourist and commercial center. Limassol is a modern export port for agricultural products, processed products, and mineral products, with developed shipping, food, and perfume industries. Limassol has numerous historical sites, from Neolithic ruins to ancient city-states of the Roman period, and from medieval castles to Byzantine churches, all telling the changes in the history of Cyprus. The mountain villages are rich in wine, and the famous Commandaria wine of Cyprus is produced here.
Travelers who love history and culture will also have a rewarding experience in Limassol. On the beautiful western coastline, there are historical sites everywhere, including a Roman amphitheater that can accommodate 3,500 spectators, and the adjacent House of Eustolios—a ruin of a mansion consisting of 30 rooms and a bathhouse. These historical sites silently reveal the vicissitudes of the ancient capital of Kourion, which was built in the 14th century BC.
Cypriots are cheerful, enthusiastic, outgoing, hospitable, talkative, and easily excited. They do not have a strong sense of time. The main ways of greeting are shaking hands, kissing cheeks, and hugging. Cyprus is mainly composed of two major ethnic groups, Greek and Turkish. The Greek community believes in Greek Orthodoxy (about 85%), and the Turkish community believes in Islam. There are also a small number of Roman Catholics, as well as a small number of Armenians, Maronites, and Latins. The Greek residents still retain the traditions of the Byzantine period. The Archbishop of Cyprus still holds the scepter bestowed by the Byzantine Emperor, wears purple robes during ceremonies, and signs documents with a vermilion pen. Their lifestyle and psychological state are mainly European. Many customs in Cyprus are related to Christian traditions and religious rituals.
The seawater in Cyprus is very clear. Although Cyprus is a small island nation, the sea of this island nation is very beautiful. There are many people coming here for vacation, not a few at all. The climate is quite pleasant, and because it is an island nation, diving here is a very good choice.