Cyprus

The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia), Cyprus is geographically situated in the eastern Mediterranean and just south of the Anatolian peninsula (or Asia Minor) of the Asian mainland; thus, it is commonly included in the Middle East (see also Western Asia and Near East). Turkey is 75 kilometres (47 miles) north; other neighbouring countries include Syria and Lebanon to the east, Israel to the southeast, Egypt to the south, and Greece to the west-north-west.

Historically, politically and culturally, however, it is closely aligned with Europe – the Greek Cypriots in the internationally recognised Government controlled area with Greece and the Turkish Cypriots in the illegally occupied North with Turkey. Historically, Cyprus has been at the crossroads between Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa, with lengthy periods of mainly Greek and intermittent Anatolian, Levantine, and British influences. Thus, it is generally considered a transcontinental island.

The central plain (Mesaoria) with the Kyrenia and Pentadactylos mountains to the north and the Troodos mountain range to the south and west. There are also scattered, but significant, plains along the southern coast.

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troodos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the Troodos mountains, where there is sufficient snow for a seasonal ski facility.

Ski resorts

Troodos, Sun Valley, Mount Olympus

Beach resorts

Ayia Napa, Protaras, Nicosia, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Polis, Protaras, Rania Beach Resort, Elysium Beach Resort, Sea Caves, Coral Bay Village, Agia Thekla Beach, Governors Beach, Pernera Bay, Louis Nausicaa Beach Resort

Spa resorts

Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Thalassa Boutique Hotel & Spa, Elysium, Paphos; Anassa, Polis; Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri; Hotel Limassol, Hotel Polis, Hotel Agia Napa, Hotel Larnaka, Hotel Nicosia, Hotel Paphos,

Golf regions

Amathus area , Pissouri Bay & Village, Kyrenia region , Polis Inland villages, Coral Bay Area , Paphos & Suburbs , The Almyra, Paphos; Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri; The Annabelle, Kato Paphos